The 2012 wheat harvest is in full swing in Sumner County, which each year produces more wheat than any other county in Kansas.

Curt Guinn, manager at the Farmers Coop Grain Association in Wellington, says yields early on are excellent, ranging from 55 to 65 bushels per acre. Test weights vary from 58 to 63 pounds per bushel and will likely average the 60 pound per bushel benchmark. Protein is averaging 11 at the Wellington location. On Wednesday, the cooperative's Rome location took in 45,000 bushels and its s Mayfield location took in 55,000 bushels.

Near Clearwater in Sumner County, Kansas Wheat Commissioner Scott Van Allen began harvesting Thursday morning. His first field of the variety Everest had 14% moisture and 62 pound test weight. Van Allen expected the field to yield upper 40s, despite not having been sprayed with fungicide this spring.

The Hardtner branch of the OK Coop in Barber County had taken in more than 33,000 bushels of wheat as of early Thursday afternoon. The crop is better than expected with test weights between 61 and 63 pounds per bushel and an average yield of 40 bushels per acre. Crop moisture ranges from 11 to 11.5, says the co-op's Bev Barker.

 In Harper County, about ten truckloads of wheat have been received at the Anthony Farmers Coop locations in both Anthony and Harper. Farmers are searching for dry fields, according to Harper site manager Keri Nusz, who expects harvest to be in full swing by the weekend.

Lacy Jones at the Farmers Co-op Co. in Coldwater says a few farmers have brought in loads, with moisture ranging from 11.5-18% moisture, and test weights between 55 and 61 pounds per bushel. Thanks to high wind and heat on Thursday, Jones expected harvest to get into high gear over Memorial Weekend.

At the Farmers Coop Elevator Co. in Pretty Prairie, Jessie Cable says a few Reno County farmers are finding dry fields. Three truckloads had been brought in as of Thursday afternoon; the harvest so far features 61 pound test weight and moisture ranging from 12.5 to 15. Several area farmers have tried test cutting but find the grain to be too wet to harvest.

The 2012 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.