37% Of Kansas Wheat Crop Rated Poor-Very Poor: Only 2% Of Harvest Completed - KC Star

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The start of the 2007 Kansas wheat harvest will long be remembered for its shattered prospects. After seven years of drought, the wet winter and even wetter spring had nourished a crop that once promised a bin-busting harvest. But that was before the Easter weekend freeze, before the disease pressure, before the insect infestations and the heavy rains. Before the floods. "Everything combined has really challenged this year's crop - especially in southern Kansas," said Dusti Fritz, chief executive officer for Kansas Wheat, a venture of the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The government's outlook is equally grim. Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that 37 percent of the wheat crop was in poor to very poor condition. About 29 percent was rated in fair condition, 25 percent was in good condition and only 9 percent rated as excellent.

At the Anthony Farmers Co-op, manager Dan Cashier said most wheat around Anthony has been abandoned, and custom cutters have moved on in search of other work. "I wish I could give you a happier scenario, but it is not there," Cashier said.

He blamed disease and freeze for the crop's problems in his area this year. Wheat samples brought in to the Anthony elevator have been averaging about 50 pounds per bushel - far below the 60 pounds per bushel needed for No. 1 graded wheat. And yields have been running anywhere from zero to 20 bushels per acre.

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http://www.kansascity.com/438/story/154762.html

...Federal Government be paying to bail them out?

We have one of the best brome crops in at least 10 years going now. Good thing too because we used up all the reserves last year. I had to buy hay because my crop was so poor the last bunch of years. Good for brome, bad for wheat. Wish we could eat brome.