News

Winter wheat harvest ends, spring wheat harvest begins

Lower yielding, good quality wheat has been harvested so far in central South Dakota.

Custom harvester Denny Sykora is combining wheat for an Onida farmer and says the winter wheat had a decent test weight.

“Most of it was 59 to 60 pounds and for the most part, test weight was good. Protein levels were good, around 13%.

Winter wheat harvest wrapped up at the end of July and Sykora says spring wheat harvest should begin in the next few days, weather pending.

“We’ve looked at the spring wheat about every day this last week. It won’t be a great crop either and they were dry. The started getting rain in later June, but it was too late for the wheat crop.”

Oahe Grain Corporation in Onida tells Brownfield spring wheat started being delivered to the elevator August 1 and so far, yield is not bad about 61 bushels acre, but there are high protein levels in the spring wheat from 14.8 to 15% protein, but protein levels are starting to move lower.

The protein content in wheat flour is important for bakers and millers and can determine dough strength and texture.