LAKIN, KAN. (RFD NEWS) — Fall harvest is moving forward across Kansas, but recent heavy rainfall has brought fieldwork to a halt in parts of the state after a summer marked by extreme heat and drought.
Kansas farmer and friend of RFD-TV, John Jenkinson, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report with a harvest update from his region.
“We’re rained out,” Jenkinson said. “We went through a terrible drought out this summer, and had we had this rain three months ago in this part of the world, even as far east as Central Kansas, we’d be talking about a completely different farm crop.”
Weather Volatility Controls Harvest Pace in Kansas
In his interview with RFD News, Jenkinson said his area received three to six inches of rain, with some areas near Dodge City reporting as much as 10 inches and flooding.
Before the latest rainfall, Jenkinson said about 60% of the corn was harvested in his area, while soybean harvest was around 20%.
Grain sorghum harvest had not yet started. About 40% to 50% of the wheat crop had been planted, although the crop needed additional moisture to establish.
“We really needed the moisture to be able to continue to plant this week because there was no topsoil moisture to get the crop started, and there was no subsoil moisture either,” Jenkinson said.
The latest storm replenished subsoil moisture, but the rain has temporarily stopped harvest activity.
Lower Yields After Summer Heat
Jenkinson said the biggest challenge this season has been the prolonged heat.
On his farm and among other producers he has talked with, yields are running about 20% to 25% below average.
“It was just so hot, and it wouldn’t cool off at night, which would allow that crop to kind of rejuvenate,” he said.
Jenkinson said disease pressure has not been a major issue because conditions were so dry.
Diesel Costs Add More Pressure
Higher diesel prices are adding another expense during one of the busiest periods of the year.
“This higher diesel price hit just the exact wrong time because this is one of the busiest times of the year,” Jenkinson said. “And so it’s really put the hurt on a lot of folks.”
He said there has been discussion about allowing farm diesel to be used in highway vehicles, but that has not been confirmed in Kansas.
Higher Freight Rates Could Affect Basis
Jenkinson also expects higher diesel costs to affect grain transportation after harvest.
Some grain haulers have told producers they cannot afford to put trucks on the road at current rates, which could push transportation costs higher.
“It’s going to really be reflected in a lot of rates,” Jenkinson said. “You’re going to have to pay up.”
He said higher freight costs could eventually be reflected in basis, particularly when grain needs to be transported long distances.
“It’s going to be interesting. The end users are going to have to be pretty creative to work around the increased freight rates and be able to add up just a little bit to get that grain moved to where they need it,” he said.
Farm Bill Uncertainty
Jenkinson said the Farm Bill is another major concern for producers dealing with higher input costs.
He said he recently discussed the issue with a banker who expressed concern about the difficulty of making loans and planning for the next crop year without greater certainty.
“We really need a Farm Bill,” Jenkinson said. “We can’t wait until after the midterms, especially with the higher input costs that we’re seeing, higher fertilizer prices, all of the volatility that we’re seeing.”
Jenkinson said uncertainty is making it more difficult for farmers and lenders to plan ahead.
“A Farm Bill needs to get done,” he said. “If I were to describe everybody’s feelings on that out here in farm country, very, very frustrating.”
