Protein levels remained strong this season, with most areas averaging above 12 percent, and test weights came in averaging 60 pounds per bushel.  Some areas in the Northern High Plains reported higher than expect yields on both dryland and irrigated acres, while the rest of the High Plains saw reduced production due to exceptional drought, high winds and high temperatures.  Producers across the state are now hoping for rainfall to aid in the fall planting season.

North of Dallas, the Soft Red Winter region has concluded harvest. The area harvested high quality wheat with better than expected yields.

Harvest Progress by Region:

• Coastal Region – 100%
• Northern Blacklands – 100%
• Southern Blacklands (South of Dallas) – 100%
• Southern Rolling Plains (East of Abilene) – 100%
• Northern Rolling Plains (Wichita Falls, Vernon, Childress) – 100%
• South Plains (Lubbock, Brownfield) – 99%
• Panhandle (Amarillo and North) – 97%

Harvest in the Panhandle has continued to be a swift process as combines made their way north quickly.  Approximately 90 percent of the crop has been cut at this time, including both dryland and irrigated acres, and harvest is expected to conclude next week. Test weights have remained strong with high protein levels; the only downfall has been dismal yields on dryland crops due to poor weather conditions. Yields on irrigated acres have been higher, averaging around 30-40 bushels an acre.

The Soft Red Winter region, north of Dallas, is also wrapping up harvest this week with 99 percent of the harvest done. Yields have been higher than expected averaging 50-60 bushels an acre.

Harvest Progress by Region:

• Coastal Region – 100%
• Northern Blacklands – 99%
• Southern Blacklands (South of Dallas) – 99%
• Southern Rolling Plains (East of Abilene) – 99%
• Northern Rolling Plains (Wichita Falls, Vernon, Childress) – 99%
• South Plains (Lubbock, Brownfield) – 98%
• Panhandle (Amarillo and North) – 90%

Harvest in the Panhandle has been put on the fast track this week due to above normal temperatures and high winds. This week combines are starting to wrap up in the southern half of the region and have traveled as far north as Perryton. Yields in the region are highly variable and down considerably with only 5-30 bushels per acre on dryland wheat and 10-50 bushels per acre on irrigated wheat, in contrast, test weights and protein levels have been above average.

The Soft Red Winter Wheat region north of Dallas is expected to conclude harvest this week with about 90 percent of the acreage being cut. Yields from the area are still holding strong.

Harvest Progress by Region:

• Coastal Region – 100%
• Northern Blacklands – 95%
• Southern Blacklands (South of Dallas) – 99%
• Southern Rolling Plains (East of Abilene) – 99%
• Northern Rolling Plains (Wichita Falls, Vernon, Childress) – 99%
• South Plains (Lubbock, Brownfield) – 90%
• Panhandle (Amarillo and North) – 45%

Drought conditions have decreased wheat yields, which may lead to tight seed supplies, “but there will be certified seed available,” said Rob Borchardt, Syngenta Seeds Southern Plains business manager.

In a year like this, producers are high encouraged to start looking for seed early.

“Most of the certified seed is produced on the best ground and in many instances under irrigation. There will be seed available, but one needs to get ahead of the game,” Borchardt said.

Small-grains farmers should also be aware of specific regulations regarding the Plant Variety Protection Act as harvest activities slow down across the state.

The plant protection act began in 1970 with the original version allowing farmers to save enough seed for their own use or sell that amount to a neighbor if the original plans for the seed changed. The 1994 amendment to the Plant Variety Protection Act prohibits the sale of all farmer-saved seed without the permission of the variety owner, and each variety is covered under the act for 20 years. Seed can only be sold by its variety name as certified seed.

Violations of the act include selling, buying, delivering, exchanging or advertising a protected variety or selling a protected variety without permission from the variety owner. A third party can clean and condition a “reasonable” amount of seed for a farmer if the seed is only planted on the farmer’s holdings. Any action toward marketing a protected variety is a violation of the act.

Source: Kay Ledbetter, AgriLife Today

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%

Harvest Progress by Region:

• Coastal Region – 100%
• Southern Blacklands (South of Dallas) – 85%
• Southern Rolling Plains (East of Abilene) – 85%
• Northern Rolling Plains (Wichita Falls, Vernon, Childress) – 85%
• South Plains (Lubbock, Brownfield) – 20%
• Panhandle (Amarillo and North) – 2%

The Soft Red Winter Wheat harvest kicked off this week in the area north of Dallas and yields are expected to be some of the best in the state due to timely rainfall.

• Collin Bowers, District I
• David Cleavinger, District II
• Jody Bellah, District III
• Glen Gibson and Gary Murphy, District IV

Ballots are available at all County Agent and FSA offices as well as local elevators.  All ballots must be postmarked by midnight April 8, 2011 to be valid.

Another new highlight this year is the joining of the Amarillo Chamber Ag Appreciation Luncheon and the Texas Commodity Symposium. The joining of the two events will provide a great opportunity for Amarillo businessmen to communicate with those in production agriculture on the High Plains.

Please glance over the agenda and join us at the Civic Center for this great event.