Oklahoma- Wheat heading was virtually complete and 95 percent was in the soft dough stage of development.  Harvest was 30 percent complete, 34 points behind the five-year average for the crop.  

Kansas- Dry and warm conditions allowed wheat to turn color quickly through many parts of Kansas.  Wheat turning color was reported at 74 percent, behind 100 a year ago and the 86 average.  Eleven percent of the crop was ripe, compared to 97 last year and 44 average.

Colorado- Nearly all winter wheat was at or beyond the jointing stage.  Wheat headed was at 73 percent while 13 percent was turning color, both behind the average.  Condition ratings for winter wheat declined with the majority now rated very poor to poor.

Nebraska- Wheat conditions rated 24 percent very poor, 28 poor, 32 fair, 15 good, and 1 excellent.  Wheat headed was 88 percent, behind 100 last year and 94 average.  Wheat turning color was 7 percent, well behind 91 percent last year and 34 average.

South Dakota- Winter wheat jointed was at 76 percent.  Winter wheat headed was at 39 percent, well behind 99 last year and 73 average.  Condition rated 34 percent very poor, 21 poor, 30 fair, 15 good, and 0 excellent.

North Dakota- Seeding of spring wheat was 86 percent complete, behind the 96 average.  Emerged was 74 percent, behind last year at 100 and 92 average.  Jointed was 11 percent, behind the 43 average.  Condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 64 good, and 12 excellent.  Durum seeding was 88 percent complete, behind 100 last year but equal to the 88 average.  Emerged was 76 percent, behind last year at 100 and 83 average.  Jointed was 5 percent, also behind average.  Condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 15 fair, 81 good, and 2 excellent.

Check out how we get it plum full!

Be safe and God bless!

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All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and Syngenta. Emma can be reached at emma@allaboardharvest.com

Every year we come back here, it’s almost like coming home. It’s like this at most stops but here, there is always someone on the end of the field waiting to talk to you. Whether it be our farmer’s wife and/or kids bringing out supper, truck drivers waiting for the next load to take to the elevator, or neighbors just stopping by to see how things are going, there is no shortage of tailgating entertainment. Long after the work is done for the day, you will find our group at the end of the field talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Tonight was no exception and even though we were done cutting at 9:30pm, the last man didn’t leave the field till 12:30am. Nights like that are what make this harvest deal all the more worth it to us.

Quote of the Day:  “If you can’t buy it at Atwoods, you don’t need it.”

All the equipment, still asleep from the night before.

Papa Bob and his cool kids, Brandon and I.

Cherry limeade junkie, not unlike the rest of us. We don’t have Sonics up home!

The New Holland and the Deere, chasing each other around the field.

Meeting of the minds.

Mom and I, goofing around in the reflections of the semi.

Unloading from the grain cart to the semi.

Brandon and Joker hanging out at the end of the field.

Side of Farmer Mike’s semi, named appropriately Red Rose.

Sorry if you’re sick of the sunset photos, I just can’t quit.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and Syngenta. You can contact Stephanie at stephanie@allaboardharvest.com.

A ditch view of Kyle opening up a field south of Hardtner.

Lack of moisture and freeze damage are to blame for the less than stellar yields. While it isn’t as dry as Texas, it is dry here too. Our farmer in Hazleton, KS said ponds that haven’t been dried up in over 60 years are dried up. We also heard people aren’t using water on land unless livestock is there. That evening it rained around an inch so we had a day off once again. The wheat in Hazleton is still not ready to cut but will most likely ripen quickly thanks to the rain.

Our beloved Betsey is still in action in the field. Here Theo takes her to dump a load. As you can see the ground is dry but the wheat isn’t quite ready to cut.

A view of the heads in one of the fields we will cut in Hazleton- North of Kiowa.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and Syngenta. Jada can be reached at jada@allaboardharvest.com.

We’ve run into wheat that’s not quite ready and Saturday night brought light showers. Therefore, the combine has sat idle. Mom and I ran to the grocery store this morning and bought the makings for a roast dinner, came home and threw everything into the crock pot. Dad and Callie lounged most of the day, watching television or reading. It was a relaxed Father’s Day! One for the record books. We hope everyone enjoyed their Father’s Day with good food and great company!

 Carrots, green beans, potatoes and onions gave this roast great flavor!

Jim would’ve rather been cutting wheat, but settled on reading a good book.

A Father’s Day Feast!

Strawberry Shortcake was the dessert of choice for the evening.

After our food settled in our bellies, we sat outside on the tailgate of the pickup and watched a storm roll into town. Looks like we won’t be cutting tomorrow!

The Z Crew can be reached at zcrew@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and Syngenta.