Tour Explanation | Day One Report | Day Two Report | Final Estimate News Release

Six different areas were toured the second day, resulting in six major estimates of wheat yields:

The 53nd Annual Hard Winter Wheat Evaluation Tour sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council departed on Wednesday, May 5 for the second day of observations of wheat production estimates in the state of Kansas and into the northern parts of Oklahoma.

The final estimate for day 2 of the tour was 39.9 bushels per acre, based off of 215 stops throughout the day. This compares to last year's day two estimate of 39.8 bushels per acre, based off of 212 stops. After two days of observations by tour participants, the average now stands at 40.3 bushels per acre, based on 428 total stops. This number is down .3 from last year’s 2-day estimate of 40.6.

In areas of Western Kansas first observed when coming out of Colby, Kansas, the wheat appeared to be in "excellent to average"” condition, with some fileds in Scott County showing potential for good yields. It was also noted that fields in this region of the state also tend to be irrigated. Types of disease that were witnessed at minimal levels throughout the day included again some powdery mildew, stripe rust, tansey mustard, barley yellow dwarf, and nitrogen deficiency. Overall, the crop continues to have minimal disease stress, according to partcipants. Some drier conditions were noted as the tour moved further south into the Southwest region of the state. Rain is needed in these areas for the crop to reach potential at this time, while areas of Scott and Lane County received up to 3 inches of rain in the Midwestern area of the state just recently. Areas of Western Sedgwick County and Reno are in need of rain, according to a local producer, with a shortage of moisture this spring.. Again, it was noted that this year's wheat crop was planted late in several areas due to late harvesting of corn and soybeans in wake of moisture problems last fall.

Yields observed throughout the day were average compared to last year's crop tour estimates. There were very few "outstanding" conditions whether it be extensive to poor yields, and the crop continues to look consistent from day one of the tour.

While some lower temperatures are in the forecast going into the weekend, it is not expected to effect the crop regarding freeze damage. "As long as temperatures remain above 28 degrees, there should not be much damage," according to Jim Shroyer, Kansas State Agronomist. "The crop could also use a drink," Shroyer concluded. Abandonment is also looking to be at less than historical averages this year.

*Area 1 (Kansas) green
Counties: Thomas, Logan, Wichita, Kearney, Finney, Ford, Hodgeman, Pawnee, Stafford, Pratt, Reno, Kingman, Sedgwick

Yield estimates ranged from a low of 24.0 bushels per acre and a high of 78.0 bushels per acre, with the average being 39 bushels per acre. Last year the green route averaged 40.0 bushels per acre on the second day of the tour.

Overall calculated yields averaged at 40.0 bushels per acre, compared to a 39.0 average last year.The range in estimates covered 20.0 bushels per acre to 57.0 bushels per acre.

*Area 3 (Kansas) purple
Counties: Thomas, Logan, Scott, Lane, Ness, Rush, Barton, Rice, Reno, Kingman, Sedgwick

An overall yield of 41.0 bushels per acre was reported, compared to 42.0 bushels per acre last year and the estimates ranged from 24 to 69 bushels per acre.

*Area 4 (Kansas) pink
Counties: Thomas, Sherman, Wallace, Greeley, Hamilton, Kearney, Finney, Gray, Ford, Kiowa, Pratt, Kingman, Sedgwick

The overall average on this route was 39 bushels per acre, with estimates ranging from 21 to 65 bushels per acre. Last year the average was 39 bushels per acre.

Ranges on this route averaged from 24.0 bushels per acre to 65.0, with an average of 43.0 bushels per acre, compared to 39.0 bushels per acre last year.

*Area 6 (Kansas and Oklahoma) yellow
Counties: Thomas, Gove, Lane, Finney, Gray, Meade, Clark, Beaver, Harper, Woods, Alfalfa, Grant, Sumner, Sedgwick

Calculated yields included a low of 21.0 bushels per acre and a high of 64.0 bushels per acre, with an average of 36 bushels per acre compared to 44.0 bushels per acre last year.

This is significantly higher than last year’s Oklahoma estimate of 77.40 million bushels. 5.2 million acres of wheat were plantetd in Oklahoma were planted this year, compared to 5.7 million acres last year. The Panhandle region of the state is expenced to produce favorable yields, due to excellent planting between September 20 to October 15, according to Mike Schulte of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. According to Rich Kochenover, Oklahoma Acreage Agronomist, "Thee crop in this area of the statat has the highest potentional in the twelve years that I have been out here."

Shallow root systems due to a wet fall and late planted wheat were also a factor in the Oklahoma crop along with the Kansas crop.

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