Combines continued to roll further north this week as they reached the Texas Panhandle. Harvest in the Southern Blacklands and Rolling Plains should be complete by week’s end with very few acres remaining to be cut. Quality factors in both regions are still holding strong with high test weights and protein. Average yields in the Southern Blacklands range from 40-50 bushels in most areas, in stark contrast to the Rolling Plains region which saw average yields close to 10 bushels per acre. The South Plains region, including Brownfield and Lubbock, will also be wrapping up harvest soon with an estimated 85 percent of the acres cut to date.
The combination of high temperatures and windy conditions in the Panhandle has led to a speedy harvest. This week combines are rolling in the southern half of the region and are expected to reach Dumas next week. Test weights in the region have been good, but as is the case with the Rolling Plains region, yields are disappointing at 5-20 bushels per acre on dryland wheat and 30-40 on irrigated acres.
The Soft Red Winter Wheat region north of Dallas is expected to conclude harvest next week as 70 percent of the acreage has been cut. Yields in this area are the best in the state and several producers are cutting 60-80 bushel wheat. Protein levels in the soft wheat are slightly lower and test weights are averaging 58.5 pounds per bushel.
Harvest Progress by Region:
- Coastal Region – 100%
- Northern Blacklands – 70%
- Southern Blacklands (South of Dallas) – 98%
- Southern Rolling Plains (East of Abilene) – 98%
- Northern Rolling Plains (Wichita Falls, Vernon, Childress) – 98%
- South Plains (Lubbock, Brownfield) – 85%
- Panhandle (Amarillo and North) – 30%
