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Wheat harvest gets underway

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By Lynsi Musselman

Combines in Shackelford County are getting ready for, and in some cases already working on, the area wheat harvest – with drier conditions than in the previous three years. 

Shackelford County extension agent Kloey Cargill said she has been out to visit a few farmers, and most are ready to either harvest or graze.

“We could actually use a little rain this year, but invasive insects have been the primary cause of destruction to crops,” Cargill said.

Cargill explained while grasshoppers are always a problem, Shackelford County farmers and ranchers have been battling the chinch bug this year.

“Chinch bugs live under ground, sucking the wheat plant dry by its root,” Cargill said.

Cargill added that most wheat crops are being turned into hay grazer due to ranching being more prevalent in this area.

“Wheat is a good high protein grain for grazing cattle,” she said.

Ace Reames with Reames Elevator said that   one person has brought in 100 acres of harvested wheat to be sold, and for sure two others, including the Reames farm, will be harvesting wheat to be sold.

Reames also said that most producers in the area bale their wheat or graze it out for livestock, hunting, or other wildlife these days.

“I just go from the field to the elevators now, but I used to wait at the elevators to meet people coming in constantly,” Reames said.

Local farmer rancher Brad Petree has started combining this week.

Petree said there was a little equipment trouble earlier in the week, but one field is complete.

“We harvested 20 acres on Monday and are looking at 25 to 30 bushels an acre,” Petree said. “We still have two more fields to harvest, and we project 40-50 bushels an acre. The latter two fields were fertilized.”

The Texas Wheat Producers Board and Association reported the grain in the Rolling Pains has seen activity this past week with currently 50 percent harvested in the eastern portion of the region. 

Yields in the area have been low so far, ranging from 10-15 bushels per acre with good test weights and moisture levels.

TWPBA expects yields  to be slightly higher in the western portion of the region where harvesting has just begun.