Rain halts wheat harvest
Area farmers started their combines this past weekend hoping to harvest this year's wheat crop early. But with moisture falling in the area Tuesday night and Wednesday morning — harvest is on hold for now.
According to comptroller Delbert Peters of Cooperative Grain & Supply, farmers were cutting test loads to see where things were and how the wheat looked.
"Harvest is barely underway," Peters said. "But the loads are the earliest we received at the coop."
Peters reported CG&S received its first load of wheat Friday. As of Wednesday, the Hillsboro location had taken in 40,000 bushels, as had the Canton site.
"It looks as though Canton found as much dry grain as they did here in Hillsboro," Peters said.
Peters reported test weights were ranging from 59-63 and the moisture content ranged from 13.8-17 percent.
"The quality looks good," Peters said.
Most of the wheat harvest will be delayed until the sun comes out, Peters said.
He estimated the area needs at least an inch of rain to help the soybeans, sorghum (milo), alfalfa, and corn.
"The soil is so dry, we need the rain," he said. "Once it rains, and then dries out, we can start the wheat harvest."
