Harvest USA Report

Co-host David Woodruff has Slick Sanders on the phone and they're talking about a whole other problem that harvesters are facing this year. "And weeds started growing. We've never seen weeds in this country. So we've actually cut lots of weeds this time, in a few patches, and there's still some wheat left here, but and only half our acres are there because part of it is zeroed out from freeze and drought. And then up close to Albin, we've got a job up that way that he's planning to cut pretty much all his acres, maybe other than one field that they took out. So we ought to be peeling out of here probably Saturday morning. It's been showering up there, so we're not in too big a hurry. Just kind of let it dry out. But he said it's supposed to be dry weather after that, so maybe it'll be some good cutting weather next week. But the weeds are growing up there too, you know, so it's just a problem this year."   So you'll be going to where?    "To Burns, Wyoming, up by Albin."    When you get those poor little wheat plants get droughted out and froze out, and then you get enough rain to fill and you get a little bit of seed, is there such a thing as that seed has got a toughness to it that will really produce better, or is that a pipe dream?    "A little stress is good for wheat. You know, sometimes it can help wheat. It can only take so much. You've got to have some help from the good Lord up there and some rains to make it happen, and they just didn't have it. But you know, we feel like getting 40 bushels here in St. Francis is almost the same scenario as on a good year making 80, 90 bushels, because I mean, there's a lot of people that was cutting 15 bushel wheat here."   U.S. Custom Harvester Slick Sanders.    That's going to do it for today's Harvest USA report.

Harvest Conditions and Challenges in Floydada, Texas: Slick Sanders discusses the wheat harvest in Floydada, Texas, which involved seeds mainly for planting. The harvest reported weak yields, with some fields producing only 5-7 bushels per acre, while others, with better watering, produced 20-25 bushels. Overall, the conditions were not optimal due to lack of rain and other environmental factors. Harsh Weather Impacts in Kansas and Wyoming: Sanders notes similar challenges in St. Francis, Kansas, where yields were significantly lower than usual due to drought and late freezes. The typical yields of 80-100 bushels were reduced, with many patches averaging around 35 bushels. Weeds were unusually prevalent this year, contributing to the difficulties faced. Moving forward, Sanders plans to continue the harvest in Wyoming, where conditions are expected to be slightly better, though still impacted by freeze and drought conditions. Farm Operations in Colorado's San Luis Valley: Sanders reflects on previous operations in Colorado's San Luis Valley, particularly related to barley crops. Traditionally high-yielding due to irrigation, this year's barley planting was sparse, influenced by water issues and other resource constraints. The region, known for its potato crops, underscores the challenges farmers face with changing environmental conditions and market demands.

The segment discusses logistical aspects such as the transit of machinery and personnel to Montana. Schemper mentions transporting equipment in stages due to the long journey and the risk of delays. They utilize a convoy strategy, splitting machinery transports into smaller groups. The fleet includes numerous combines and over twenty 42-foot trailers to maximize efficiency during harvest. Overall, there is an emphasis on the importance of strategic planning, adaptability to weather changes, and logistics management for successful agricultural operations.

The conversation turns to irrigation techniques and equipment used in the area. DeBart details utilizing an Elmer's green cart and describes their trucks as a Peterbilt and a Mac. The dialogue also explores issues like crop insurance benefits, the effects of weather patterns on local agriculture, and the structural challenges of flood irrigation in sandy soils, illustrating the broader agricultural practices and conditions in regions like Montana, where DeBart and his team plan to relocate soon for further harvesting opportunities.

J.C. Schemper, custom harvester from Holdrege, Nebraska, discusses the variance in crop yields in Kansas, Nebraska, and Montana. In Kansas, yields ranged between 30 and 60 bushels due to rainfall differences. Nebraska faced harsh drought conditions, reducing areas cultivated to a quarter of their normal size. Montana's yield fluctuates due to weather conditions like spotty spring rains and some frost damage in April. Schemper elaborates on their strategic approach in combating the effects of the Hessian fly in Montana. They have adopted swathing wheat while it's still green to prevent the fly from damaging it. This method also protects the crop from becoming damaged by loose rocks prevalent in the area, which could cause mechanical issues during harvesting. The segment discusses logistical aspects such as the transit of machinery and personnel to Montana. Schemper mentions transporting equipment in stages due to the long journey and the risk of delays. They utilize a convoy strategy, splitting machinery transports into smaller groups. The fleet includes numerous combines and over twenty 42-foot trailers to maximize efficiency during harvest. Overall, there is an emphasis on the importance of strategic planning, adaptability to weather changes, and logistics management for successful agricultural operations.

Dillon DeBock, a custom harvester from North Dakota currently harvesting in Northwest Kansas, discusses the challenges and outcomes of this season’s wheat yield with Hale Broadcasting. The crop has been affected by a combination of drought, frost, and hail, resulting in a low average yield of about 23 bushels per acre. Despite these challenges, DeBock expresses gratitude for being able to assist local farmers with harvesting, using two gleaners, a green cart, and two trucks. Agricultural Practices in Northwest Kansas and Beyond The conversation turns to irrigation techniques and equipment used in the area. DeBock details utilizing an Elmer's green cart and describes their trucks as a Peterbilt and a Mac. The dialogue also explores issues like crop insurance benefits, the effects of weather patterns on local agriculture, and the structural challenges of flood irrigation in sandy soils, illustrating the broader agricultural practices and conditions in regions like Montana, where DeBart and his team plan to relocate soon for further harvesting opportunities. Weather Patterns Impact Across Various Regions The discussion evolves into a broader commentary on weather patterns affecting agriculture, such as hail damage observed in regions ranging from Kansas to Arizona. The dialogue reflects on personal experiences with weather over the years, highlighting a potential increase in hail occurrence, although it's deemed more noticeable rather than significant or measurable. The conversation closes with a note of support and well-wishes for continued farming efforts amidst changing environmental conditions.

Overview of Agricultural Challenges: The conversation outlines severe agricultural challenges faced in Nebraska, particularly with wheat and corn crops. The dry conditions, hail, and freezes have significantly damaged crops, resulting in poor yields, and many farmers are opting not to harvest. The drought is so severe that for the first time in over 100 years, the Roland family will not harvest any wheat. Crop insurance has been activated to cover losses, allowing farmers the option to graze cattle on the failed wheat. Irrigation challenges are highlighted with water limitations due to allocations from the Ogallala Aquifer. The state of Nebraska oversees these allocations, affecting farmers' abilities to adequately irrigate their crops. The conversation also references issues with local rivers drying up, complicating the situation further. The discussion mentions the impact of unexpected weather patterns, like temperature fluctuations that damage crops, and replanting issues with crops like sugar beets due to late frosts. High winds have also compounded the drought conditions, evaporating moisture from the soil quickly. A broader look includes regional fire threats due to dry conditions and difficulties in crop hiring due to escalating costs. The conversation touches on expenses related to fuel and labor, emphasizing their impact on the feasibility of production and harvest. Technological and Methodological Discussion: The conversation touched upon farming techniques, including irrigation systems, tilling methods, and innovations like the Dammer Diker, a tool used in other regions to improve water retention and crop yields. It discussed the practicality and challenges of different types of farming equipment and methods for optimizing crop planting and harvesting. This includes the utility of chemical treatments versus traditional mechanical tillage for managing weeds and ensuring proper crop growth.

Overview of Wheat Harvest: Glen Jones describes their journey starting from West Central Oklahoma, moving to southern Kansas, faced with suboptimal wheat growth conditions (18 bushels per acre). Many fields yielded nothing, being "zeroed out" from various factors, including drought and late freezes. Harvest Equipment and Logistics: Discussion on equipment reveals the use of a straight semi-trailer for transporting harvested wheat, and comparisons of row size and type of farming equipment, such as John Deere air seeders with hydraulic downforce, which are adopted for no-tilling into Milo stubble fields. Crop Damage and Yields: Crops in Kansas faced freeze and drought damage, leading to small kernel sizes. Additionally, severe weather conditions in Nebraska and South Dakota prevented sufficient wheat planting, causing interruptions in the farmer's typical northern harvest route. The farmer concludes they had to prematurely return home, cutting their wheat harvest endeavors short. Current Conditions and Future Crop Prospects: Despite the adverse conditions elsewhere, the farmer reports decent yields of hay (alfalfa) with good rain in their home area and anticipates possible decent milo because of recent rains.

Agricultural Challenges in Scobie, Montana: Jesper Hansen discusses the recent extreme weather in Scobey, which included unprecedented winds causing significant crop damage, prompting reseeding efforts. The damage spans various crops, including peas, chickpeas, lentils, and wheat, and was exacerbated by cold weather affecting the hay crop. The recovery is anticipated to take several years. Though recent rains have been beneficial, they are insufficient to recover pastures entirely. Soil and Crop Management: Despite attempts to mitigate soil erosion through no-till farming practices and the use of rollers, the damage was extensive across different terrains, including clay and sandy land. The effectiveness of various tilling methods was notably inconsistent. Jesper highlights that even heavily managed land, like those using rollers for improved harvests, was affected by the extreme conditions.

Today's guest is Mike Matejcek from North Dakota.   The discussion touches on the challenges of poor crop yields, particularly in Oklahoma, noting instances where no crops were combined for the first time in history due to various circumstances. The topic extends to weather conditions impacting farming activities, like heavy rains and hail. Specific examples include a friend in Lamont, Oklahoma experiencing significant rainfall and hail. It also highlights the strategic timing needed for harvesting, particularly when anticipated rains could disrupt operations.

Let's take a look at where those harvest crews are rolling now with some precipitation around the country in some parts.   We see Frederick Harvesting cutting wheat at their home base in Alden, Kansas with three John Deere S7-700 combines.   Neumiller Harvesting says it's finally raining here in Leoti, Kansas. Time for a baseball game. (?) Well, since it was raining and they couldn't cut, they gathered in the field and played some ball. You do whatever you can out there on the harvest run.   Friesen Harvesting had some truck troubles on the interstate. That's never fun, they wrote. Got to St. Francis, Kansas and wet weather moved in last night, so we hurried up and waited. Got some more rain at home, so praise the Lord.   And the Oklahoma Wheat Crop Update is out. It's nearly finished in fact. This late season rain is still shaping tests, weights, yields, protein and the final 2026 crop outlook. In this Oklahoma Wheat Crop Update, Dave Deacon reports from a soggy Oklahoma State University agronomy farm in Stillwater with harvest estimated at about 95% complete. Mike Schulte with the Oklahoma Wheat Commission shares the statewide crop and market outlook, while Amanda Silva, PhD, Oklahoma State University Extension Small Grain Specialist, explains why 2026 will be remembered as a drought year and what producers can learn from variety performance and management trials from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.   And finally, things are abuzz here at Harvest USA. In honor of Pollinator Month, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture is continuing to teach us more about pollinators this week. Contrary to popular belief, most bees nest in the ground and are considered solitary. Only honeybees live in a hive and are considered social.

Well, our crews are getting busy in many places, but they do have time to write. And, we had an interesting note from High Plains Harvesting yesterday.    As you know, many Custom Harvest crews employ foreign workers. Longtime Scottish team member Calum enlightened us yesterday on some facts, with a picture below they wrote. You can find that picture on our Harvest USA Report Facebook page under High Plains Harvesting.    Did you know that the national plant of Scotland is the thistle? Crazy, because that's a noxious weed in a lot of places here in the U.S.    Well, here's the story. No one is truly sure of how the thistle came to be Scotland's national flower.   A well-known story, though, attributes the thistle, being chosen as the emblem of Scotland, to the Battle of Largs in the 13th century. The Norse army journeyed to Scotland, intent on conquering the land. The legend has it that they left their ships under cover of night, and were planning to ambush the sleeping Scottish clansmen. In order to be as quiet as possible, the Norsemen had removed their shoes. However, as they crept across the countryside, one of them stepped on a thorny thistle. His cry of pain roused the Scots, and the warriors rose up and defeated the invaders.   Now that's a natural defense system.    Also, the national animal is the mythical unicorn.    There are definitely some strange traditions in Scotland. That comes from High Plains Harvesting in between jobs. If you have something interesting that you'd like to share, be sure to tag HarvestUSAReport on your Facebook page, or send us an email. Or call us, the number is on the screen, right there at HarvestUSAReport.com. Get a report on the air. Tell us where you are, and how things are looking.

The dialogue discusses the use of different crops in agricultural rotation, focusing on the cultivation of cover crops like rye. Rye is noted for its benefits in weed control and soil management, providing a tap root that helps fracture soil to enhance water holding capacity. This is contrasted with wheat, which has a root ball and may not offer the same soil benefits as rye. The agricultural practice under discussion involves planting rye as a cover crop after soybeans, with periodic spraying for weed control. There are geographic variations in agricultural practices; for example, while rye is commonly used as a cover crop in northeast Kansas, it is less common where the speaker is currently located. The region no longer cultivates cotton, focusing instead on soybeans and rye rotations.

Co-host David Woodruff has Slick Sanders on the phone. David had just asked Slick about how things turned out.   "This is probably the best year we've had in several years."   So that's for cotton or for everything?   "Well everything's been pretty good. I mean as a whole even the dryland milo made a little bit. Irrigated milo was good and a lot of these farmers they're starting to plant, keep them stubble, keep the stalks, the milo stalks and they spray it and keep it clean and those hold moisture if we get any snow if we do. And then they'll plant cotton in that stubble just like we do cutting wheat. We leave stubble and they'll plant cotton in that stubble. That cotton is protected from the weather and it keeps the ground from blowing. But they're finding that planting cotton in milo stalks they're getting two or three hundred pounds more lint by doing that. And I don't know why the reason other than the protection and maybe something to do with all the nodules and the roots of the milo keeps the ground a little softer. I don't I don't know but there's there's some benefits and they're seeing it and they're starting to do that. But when you plant that milo in a cover crop like that I mean the cotton when it's little it needs protection from the weather and the wind and it tries to grow really fast to get to the top of that cover crop so it can get to the Sun. So it speeds up the growing process of the cotton."   That's interesting.   "In places where they don't grow wheat much they can grow milo and use that for cover."   Floydada, Texas Custom Harvester, Slick Sanders.   

Co-host David Woodruff has Slick Sanders on the phone. Let's see how Slick's doing with the wheat rat report.   How are things down there?   "We're through with pretty much all the milo harvest and corn harvest and basically almost all the cottons out of the field. They're still ginning on it. That's what we're doing right now, just hauling cottonseed."   You pick cotton, do you?   "No, sir. We just haul the cottonseed from the cotton gins to the oatmeal. Then they take the oil out of the seed? Yes, sir. They press that seed and get the oil out and they get more lint off the seed and they turn that cottonseed into cottonseed meal and then they take the cottonseed hulls.   That's all for cattle, you know, and so they use a lot of the cottons. So that cottonseed meal, that's a protein supplement, is that right? I believe so. I mean, they mix it in feed and the hulls as well and they feed raw cottonseed to cattle.   That's good protein feed too. So do you have any idea what the protein content is?   "No, I don't. I really don't. We just haul the seed to the oatmeal basically and then a lot of seed goes to dairies and flat storage, you know, to sell out later in the summer to dairies and feedlots and what have you. I got an idea that the protein in the meal will be a little bit higher than in the seed because of what they've taken out of the seed. Well, it's my understanding too, and they take the meat out of the cottonseed and they do something, cook it, I guess they make flour out of it or what, you know, but of course the oil, you can actually buy the oil from the oatmeal there for cooking oil."   Floydada, Texas Custom Harvester, Slick Sanders.     

It has been a strange season with a very short run in Texas, but gettin' 'er done is Farris Harvesting who was there and now they're moving up into the panhandle of Oklahoma where they did get some moisture. That's Farris Harvesting. Yields though in Texas, some people were reporting 50 to 60 bushel.   Sanders Harvesting and Trucking has a wheat rat report for us. Slick wrote, we finished a little wheat run last night here at home in Floydada, Texas. That was on the 10th. Praise the Lord for having a little wheat to cut even though it wasn't very good yields. Farmers cutting some only making 5 to 6 bushel just to have some seed wheat. We did cut a few irrigated circles that yielded 16 to 25 he wrote. New certified registered seed may cost up to $27 a bushel. We will be cleaning up equipment and getting ready to load up and head to Kansas next stop. We'll give all the glory to God for what we had. And Slick wishes everyone a blessed day. That's Sanders Harvesting and Trucking out of Floydada, Texas moving up into Oklahoma now.    Speaking of the Oklahoma wheat harvest, it's moving fast but low harvested acres, drought stress and recent rains are shaping what producers and elevators are seeing across the state.   In the latest Oklahoma wheat crop update from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, Dave Deken reports from Kingfisher County with the latest USDA NASS crop condition numbers as well as Oklahoma Wheat Commission harvest estimates, yield reports, test weights, rainfall totals and drought conditions. Also features Lad Lafferty, president of the Wheeler Brothers Grain and a sister brother harvest crew from Beckham County working fields near Amarita and Alfalfa County as Oklahoma farmers push through a challenging 2026 harvest.    Catch that Oklahoma Wheat report on our Facebook page at Harvest USA Report.

The interview primarily discusses the agricultural activities and challenges faced by Jake Damron from Sayre, Oklahoma. He shares insights on planting cotton in dry conditions and explains the complexities of timing rainfall with planting. Damron prefers planting cotton in moisture to ensure a good stand because wrong rain can compact the soil, making it hard for seedlings. He discusses the process of planting into summer fallow using wheat stubble from previous successful crops. The discussion also highlights methods like strip tillage for preparing seed beds by ripping rows and placing fertilizers deep in the soil to avoid compaction. Agricultural Techniques and Weed Control Jake detailed the weed control strategy using chemical fallow, primarily involving the application of Power Max Roundup and dicamba, given that most cotton is dicamba-resistant. This approach is supplemented by the use of a pre-emergent product called Warrant to control grasses effectively. The reliance on rain to activate certain chemicals poses additional challenges in weed management. Additionally, the role of summer fallow is emphasized in preventing soil crusting from rain, which is a key concern in conventional tillage.  

Sarah Nicholson, part of Damron Farms and Harvesting, shares her journey of returning to the custom wheat harvesting tradition after a 12-year hiatus. Her father, Jack Damron, established the family business in Sayre, Oklahoma over four decades ago, running it for 38 years. Though they hadn't been on the wheat harvest run for over a decade, the urge to revive this tradition led Sarah and her brother to acquire a combine trailer and venture back into harvesting, securing a 1,000-acre job in Colorado. They find satisfaction and financial viability with a simple setup—two combines, a grain cart, and a minimal crew, often including family members. Impact and Collaboration in Harvesting The revival of the harvesting tradition holds personal significance, extending to younger family members who join the effort and grow through the experience. Sarah shares how the harvesting runs instill work ethic and initiative in her children, reflecting on the transformative nature of the hands-on work. Despite challenges such as balancing the main farming occupation with custom harvesting and external uncertainties like climate conditions, the family is motivated by nostalgia and a love for the lifestyle. Collaboration among family members and the shared goal of efficient operation with limited overhead underscores their continued passion for harvesting. Media Engagement and Community Outreach Sarah Nicholson's engagement with platforms like Facebook to promote their services emphasizes the importance of community outreach and adaptation to modern communication channels in rural businesses. Hale Broadcasting's Harvest USA report supports such enterprises by providing a platform for voices in the harvesting industry, highlighting the importance of representation for women and small-scale operators. This initiative aims to bring positive visibility to diverse perspectives within the agricultural sector, acknowledging the role of family dynamics and passion in sustaining traditional practices.    

Glen Jones from Greenfield, Iowa, discusses his experiences with wheat harvesting in Oklahoma. Many farms are experiencing severe reduction in yields, with some areas receiving as low as four bushels per acre. Glen's farmer had a slightly better yield of 18 bushels per acre, but overall, more than 50% of the wheat in the area is expected to be abandoned. Despite low yields, the wheat maintains a good test weight of approximately 59 pounds, though protein content remains low, typically in the 10% range, with a few exceptions of higher protein on later farms. There's a stark contrast in weather experiences, as Glen notes that while Oklahoma experiences drought, areas in central Saskatchewan are battling excessive mud. This has impacted planting and harvesting schedules, complicating farmers' ability to manage their crops effectively. Southern Kansas, where Glen is moving next, has received recent rain, offering some hope for a more average crop yield, though this has delayed milo planting. Glen also comments on reduced operations in local trailer parks, indicating a downturn in harvesting activity in the area. Many crews have reduced their equipment and personnel, reflecting a broader reduction in wheat harvest operations. Glen mentions he's set to return home to Iowa after completing work in Kansas, preparing for a trip to visit his daughter in Alaska. He underscores the economic challenges, noting that despite reduced wear on equipment due to less work, financial obligations remain unchanged. This text captures the hardships faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions and the consequential adjustments in their operational decisions.

Glen Jones from Greenfield, Iowa, discusses his experiences with wheat harvesting in Oklahoma. Many farms are experiencing severe reduction in yields, with some areas receiving as low as four bushels per acre. Glen's farmer had a slightly better yield of 18 bushels per acre, but overall, more than 50% of the wheat in the area is expected to be abandoned. Despite low yields, the wheat maintains a good test weight of approximately 59 pounds, though protein content remains low, typically in the 10% range, with a few exceptions of higher protein on later farms. There's a stark contrast in weather experiences, as Glen notes that while Oklahoma experiences drought, areas in central Saskatchewan are battling excessive mud. This has impacted planting and harvesting schedules, complicating farmers' ability to manage their crops effectively. Southern Kansas, where Glen is moving next, has received recent rain, offering some hope for a more average crop yield, though this has delayed milo planting. Glen also comments on reduced operations in local trailer parks, indicating a downturn in harvesting activity in the area. Many crews have reduced their equipment and personnel, reflecting a broader reduction in wheat harvest operations. Glen mentions he's set to return home to Iowa after completing work in Kansas, preparing for a trip to visit his daughter in Alaska. He underscores the economic challenges, noting that despite reduced wear on equipment due to less work, financial obligations remain unchanged. This text captures the hardships faced by farmers due to adverse weather conditions and the consequential adjustments in their operational decisions.

Let's take a look at where some harvest crews are working today.   Everyone needed rain before, and now we're getting it. While we're trying to work. Same thing for Barr Harvesting. "Finished up in Kingfisher, Oklahoma and got moved up to Enid, and then got rain last night and more to come. Now we wait."    Sanders Harvesting and Trucking has a wheat report for us.    They've cut a few days in their home area in Texas and then started getting some much needed rain. Farmers have been hammered down planting dry land corn. Yields on the wheat not very good.   "Cut some dry land around six to eight bushels with test weights 53 to 57. And some irrigated circles made about 25 bushel and some 15 bushel and test weights were 59.4. Most of it was cut for seed wheat. Showers again last night and this morning, so maybe again next week we can get the right weather and get the rest of what we have to cut out. Just thankful for something to cut here at home," Slick wrote. "Thank you Lord for the moisture."   And we just had Mike Bashutski on the program the other day and they are moving. And it isn't just about loading the equipment and hitting the road. It takes window tarps, chains, boomers, beacons, wide load signs and permits. Most importantly, it takes planning. We constantly monitor our routes for construction and restrictions, rerouting whenever necessary. It might add a few minutes to the trip, but preventing an accident is always worth the detour. The construction crews are just trying to get the job done and go home to their families, like us. That's from Bashutski Harvesting LTD.    We're all just trying to get work done out there to feed the world.

Let's continue that conversation between our co-host David Woodruff and Mike Bashutski, custom harvester from Saskatchewan, that works in the U.S. quite often. Let's listen in.    "Now this spring, believe it or not, dandelions! I was talking to a few people and like I looked at my garden and when the snow melted off here, that wasn't that long ago. They were green, I just thought, you know, from the winter. They just kept on growing and like some of the fields here, just the other day, it was like finally the heads popped out. So in the night before, there you could see a bit of green, you know, that was left before the pre-burn. Yeah, then all of a sudden in the morning, it looked like somebody spray-painted the fields yellow because there's dandelions everywhere. So do you suppose that they're like winter wheat or fall rye? They've been growing all winter? Yeah, the way the winter come this year and it covered up with so much snow that I believe like lots of these because there's weeds like we got in the, you know, garden that the other day I worked it up and they were already seeded out and I was like that's not even a week, that's a stone melted away and these other little, I'm not exactly quite sure the proper name of them, but they were seeded out already and I was like holy smokes."   So you had a warm winter over there, same as we did, no?   "Well, kind of yes and no. Our February was warmer, but we did endure a lot of minus 40 days, like it was cold, but the snow was come down, it didn't get blown around. Lots of guys that were doing a pushing any snow found out that they could still roll the grass up very easily. It wasn't, it didn't freeze into the ground very, very little."   Custom Harvester Mike Buschewski from Saskatchewan, Canada with our co-host David Woodruff.

Drought vs Stuck in the Mud   Weather Challenges for Farmers: Farmers in Saskatchewan and parts of the U.S. are grappling with challenging weather conditions. A farmer from Saskatchewan recounts delayed planting due to wet conditions and contrasts this with some farmers in the U.S. experiencing drought. The weather has created difficult conditions, turning fields into mud and causing planting equipment to leave deep ruts that harden and complicate future work. This situation is contrasted with past dry seasons, emphasizing how variable and challenging farming conditions can be.   Listen in to this interview with co-host David Woodruff with Custom Harvester Mike Bashutski.

The talk lately has been the drought and co-host David Woodruff has Shawn Thacker on the line talking about the precipitation they received recently.   So we're talking to Shawn Thacker, Burdette, Alberta. How much rain did you get at home?    "Over the weekend here we're pushing about 2.2 inches now and it's still raining pretty good. I'm just in the office and it's basically sheets of rain coming across through the yard."   How are crops looking there at home?   "The dryland was still doing pretty good yet but it was giving me the rain within days. We haven't had a whole bunch of precipitation this spring yet."   So now this takes you out of the danger zone?   "Yeah, this will carry us for quite a while. Hopefully."   Have you heard anything from down in Texas?   "Just what I've seen online. I've talked to a few of my harvester friends and a lot of acres were destroyed out or zeroed out by crop insurance and a lot of them didn't start until a little bit further north into Kansas. And some are just leaving to go down to start in northern Kansas which will be coming on fairly quick from my understanding. Quite early."   Where do you normally go?   "We'll start in central Montana."   You've got a little bit of time then.   "Yes we do."   A couple of weeks ago we were at Great Falls and things were looking nice and green but then we got up to Conrad and whoa man it was all dried out and the Welkers are dying from nothing. Then last weekend when we were down it trickled on us most of the way back and then it really dumped. So it looks like at least for this area.   "Yeah it definitely was needed this precipitation that we got."   Shawn Thacker with our co-host David Woodruff on the Harvest USA Report. 

Everybody saying the same thing, what a strange year.   Well, let's take a look at where some of the crews are getting busy right now. Deegan Harvesting has the wheels turning again in northern Oklahoma after a long rain delay. That's Deegan Harvesting LLC.   According to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and some photos submitted by Chase Whittam, the wheat harvest this week in Grant County is reporting yields in the upper 40s to 50s and a 62 pound test weight. That's in Grant County in Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. Ferris Harvesting is having a hard time staying out of the rain in Texas, so the boys had some fun and headed to Fort Worth for the day.   Paplow Customs LLC over the past week kicked off their 2026 harvest season. They weren't able to start as far south as they would have liked due to the drought, but they are grateful for having harvest work in southern Kansas. They're hoping that this week they can wrap up their first stop of the season and move up the road. They said it might feel like we're actually on the harvest trail. There's some pictures on our Harvest USA Facebook page. Credit to Cole Mast for those.   And finally, this weekend, Sanders Harvesting says today is finally the day to make some dust fly in Floyd County, Texas.    And here's some interesting information. Did you know that in 1831, Cyrus McCormick patented the Mechanical Reaper, a breakthrough invention that changed American agriculture forever. Before the Reaper, harvesting wheat required long hours of hand labor with sickles and scythes. 1831, the Mechanical Reaper.    Find this report and our other programs all on HaleBroadcasting.com. That's going to do it for today's report.  

Our co-host David Woodruff has Dylan DeBock from DeBock Harvesting.    So I just heard a broadcast out of Great Falls and they had the governor of the state and he'd been all up and down the eastern side of Montana and he said we need rain. It was dry last week when I was there and very few places on the plains anywhere that they've got. I think northeastern North Dakota had a little rain and maybe just about enough and there was a pocket somewhere in southwestern Kansas as I recall it. Don't know what happened but we got a crop there and they were the two oddballs. Everybody else is just crying.   "I haven't done it as long as some people but this is the driest and the thinnest wheat crop I've seen north to south. Usually we always have a hiccup in our run somewhere. Whether it be a hailstorm obviously droughts is always a big factor but usually it's just kind of contained to one state or one area but this year it's our whole run is stressed. So yeah it's one for the ages I think."   Now where was it you're from Oklahoma originally?    "Moreland area. Yeah."   Actually I was wrong about never being to Oklahoma. I have been down there. Before the bomber hit I was in Oklahoma City. Brother-in-law was working at Brahms.   "Yeah oh yeah. Yeah that's one thing we miss in North Dakota. Oh yes. We do miss our Brahms. They have all their own dairies and stuff so I mean they're vertically integrated. So yeah they only go where their trucks can get there and back in a day."   After Alva where do you go?   "We go to St. Francis, Kansas."   Custom Harvest Dylan DeBock

Our co-host David Woodruff has Dylan DeBock from DeBock Harvesting. You know, I have never asked anybody about varieties. Do you know what varieties?    "The stuff that we were cutting yesterday was double stop."    Okay, it's new and on me.    "The variety that you can spray, they use this so they can control rye and wild oats and stuff."   She's got a resistance to something. That's nice to be able to take out what you don't want.    "Right, and it's actually been a good yielder. It's always, usually you gain something, you lose something, but the double stop has held its own for the last two years that we've been cutting."   Just really all things for all people type of thing.    "Yep. I mean, obviously it's got a genetic trait, so it's expensive and your typical wheat, but especially in Oklahoma where they do continuous crop wheat on wheat, it's a good option for the farmers to use."   You know, I was just thinking about that. I drive a school bus and as I was doing my round this morning, I was thinking one lady told me, oh, they're raising potatoes and potatoes, potatoes, potatoes, and I'm going, I wonder who she's been talking to because you can't raise potatoes one year after another. I mean, the disease will get you, and I got thinking, it seems to me like all I've heard is corn. You can raise corn on corn on corn, and you put corn and soybeans, you'll get a little better yield, but other than that, you don't get really caught, and this is the first time I've heard that you can have wheat on wheat on wheat on wheat.   "They've been doing it in Oklahoma since the 30s. Most of this ground hasn't seen anything but wheat."   Dylan DeBock with DeBockHarvesting.    

Interview Overview: Dylan Debock from Debock Harvesting in North Dakota was interviewed by David Woodruff from Harvest USA Report, hosted by Hale Broadcasting. They discussed recent harvesting activities and conditions across different states, mainly focusing on winter wheat in Oklahoma. Harvesting and Crop Performance: Dylan mentioned relocating from Oklahoma to North Dakota and starting harvesting activities in Alva, Oklahoma. The first day's wheat field yielded a favorable 30 bushels per acre with a test weight of 63. However, yields in other fields have been inconsistent, often affected by environmental factors across regions. The variety they used was "double stop," known for its resistance to certain weeds and its stable yield performance over the past two years.

So we're talking to J.C. Schemper, Holdrege, Nebraska.    I guess you've got to have the bad so you can appreciate the good. And boy, do we appreciate the good, huh?    "Yeah, that's right. When you get something good, you sure have to talk about it. But that didn't last very long, of course."   So you're into Kansas next?   "That's correct. We'll actually go to Carmen, Oklahoma next. They have some 30 to 50 bushel wheat there. Obviously had an inch of rain there last night. So no harvesting going on. No, the wheat's ready. We might have one day next week in the forecast. Maybe, you know, Tuesday, Wednesday. And after that, we've got some chances for rain about every day. So we'll see how this goes."   Well, I've got Facebook friends saying Wyoming and Utah and Colorado, they're getting some snow. And I'm going, well, hey, just send a little bit of that east and south.   "No kidding, man. I can assure you that. I'm actually in Holdrege, Nebraska today, and we received two inches of rain here in town last night. What a welcome sight to see that much morning. Water puddles around, thunderstorms rolling, because I tell you what, the guys in southwest Oklahoma don't ever remember a year where they never even got a thunderstorm warning until the end of April. That never happens down there. It was just a complete year of just drought. Just couldn't brew up a storm anywhere."   Custom Harvester JC Schemper with our co-host, David Woodruff.

Harvest Challenges in Oklahoma and Nebraska: J.C. Schemper from Holdrege, Nebraska, discusses the challenges faced during the harvest season due to adverse weather conditions, particularly in southwest Oklahoma. While one field produced a satisfactory yield of 30.4 bushels, others significantly underperformed with yields in the 10 to 15 range. Concerns over freeze damage, fertilizer issues, and primarily drought conditions have impacted the harvest adversely. Acres have been reduced to a third of normal levels, exacerbating the situation for harvesters. Variable Bushel Weights and Drought Impact: Bushel weights have fluctuated from a promising 61 pounds down to as low as 48 pounds. Dry land farming in Oklahoma has been especially tough with the current drought, leaving many wheat fields non-existent or unproductive. Weather Forecast and Movement: As the team plans to move north to Carmen, Oklahoma, and Kansas, they are hopeful for improved conditions, although rain forecasts may pose further delays. There’s a shared sentiment between broadcasters and interviewees for better weather and conditions, noting the need for precipitation similar to those seen in Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado. Community Impacts and Perspectives: Hale Broadcasting and Schemper discussed the broader community impacts, highlighting the rarity of thunderstorms and adequate rainfall in southwest Oklahoma. Remarks were made on the general state of infrastructure and ongoing road works, underscoring the challenging conditions affecting both agricultural and urban developments. The dialogue ends on a hopeful note with plans to continue updates as they move further north.

Join co-host David Woodruff as he asks our host, Pennsylvania harvester Eric Wolgemuth questions on protein content in different areas of the country.

Checking in with our co-host David Woodruff, looks like we have Eric Wolgemuth, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania custom harvester.   Let's check in.    "Well, we got a couple combines in Texas trying to finish up, and we got a combine in Oklahoma, just got started, and we're still trying to finish planting corn in Pennsylvania. So, what's it like in Texas? I've seen better, but we did have something to do down there, fortunately. It wasn't all very, I mean, it was, some was okay, but it's pretty tough down there."    How are things in Oklahoma?    "Kind of the same way. I mean, we're like, we just got done in Okarche last night, and the wheat's better than further west, and it seems like the further west you get, the worse it gets, and more gets disastered out the further west you go. I actually cut some wheat that made 40 bushel yesterday."   Whoa.    "There's going to be a lot of wheat, I think, in the area that's going to be at least a little further west. A lot of it's going to be between 10 and 25. How's the bushel weight looking? Some of it's lighter. Some of it's 55. It just depends on timing and variety, and I'm not sure what all, but once we had a little bit, the wheat weighed 59 or 60, too. And, you know, you go across the road, and it might not be, you know, in the 54 or something. Even irrigated, like we had a little bit of irrigating in Texas, and that actually weighed less than the dry land for whatever reason. I don't know."   Sometimes the drier it is, the better the test weight is.    "And sometimes it gives you protein, too."   Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, Custom Harvester, Eric Wolgemuth.

Interview Context: The broadcast interview is conducted between Hale Broadcasting and Dave Misener from Elk City, Oklahoma, discussing current agricultural conditions and challenges in the area. Wheat Harvest in Western Oklahoma: The wheat harvesting season in western Oklahoma has begun, with initial attempts occurring south of Elk City. Farmers are experiencing low yields, ranging from 7 to 12 bushels per acre, and test weights around 57-58 pounds per bushel. Recent hailstorms caused damage, notably to properties, though crop damage was limited due to already poor conditions. Adverse Weather Conditions: Farmers have faced challenges from varying weather conditions, including inadequate rainfall and high temperatures, affecting wheat growth and harvest potential. The region has experienced extremely high winds and dirt blowing, adding to the difficulties of farming. Some wheat that was planted later may still take another 10 days to be ready for harvest if it has not been hayed or left untended. Economic Viability of Harvesting: Due to low yields and increased operational costs (fuel and equipment wear), farmers are assessing the economic feasibility of harvesting. Crops yielding less than six bushels per acre are often left unharvested as they do not justify the expense. Comparative Weather Conditions: The interview contrasts weather conditions in Oklahoma with those in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, where rains and snows have more favorable effects, differing from the hot, dry, and windy conditions in Oklahoma. Overall, the interview highlights the tough harvesting season faced by Oklahoma farmers due to a combination of poor weather and economic challenges.   Actual Call Audio;   Let's check in with our co-host David Woodruff, who has David Miesner from Elk City, Oklahoma, with a not-so-good report.   "This past Monday was the first day that I heard anybody trying some wheat, and got going just south of us a little bit, and it's just kind of been slowly breaking loose as this week goes on. I haven't harvested anything myself quite yet. What I've got to harvest, which ain't much for anybody around here in this part of the state in western Oklahoma, but I'm going to start next week. But so far of what I've heard from talking to farmers, if they're combining it, we're talking somewhere between 7 and 12 bushel on the wheat, and test weight for the most part's been around 57, maybe 58 pounds. We had a few rains that came through this past weekend, which of course them few guys that got it were really thankful to get it, but I can also say in the Elk City area we had quite a bit of hail, and I can't say that it really in a way did much damage to the crops, because they weren't very good, but I can say on housing and vehicles it sure did a number to them. We had a lot of pretty good size stuff, some tennis ball, baseball size hail that was in the area. Doing what we can, and the seed wheat part is going to definitely be on the short side, and guys are looking for some cover crop and just doing what they can, because mother nature didn't allow us to have much of a wheat yield this year."   Thanks again for the cooperation of David Misener in calling in and giving us a quality report. If you'd like to share your information, please give us a call on the numbers on the screen at HarvestUSAReport.com or on our Facebook page by the same name.  

With some folks actually getting some cutting done, let's take a look at where our crews are, or are headed.   American Harvesting is in Burlington, Colorado and they recently posted a video of their travel bunkhouse for harvest season. They custom built it last winter and this will be their second year using it. There's a full video of that bunkhouse on our Facebook page at Harvest USA Report.   And we're asking for some prayers. Friesen Harvesting had a fire, asking for prayer for the boys. "Fire at home. Lost a lot already", they wrote. That was Friesen Harvesting.   And Van Driesten Harvesting asks that we say a prayer for the farmers and custom harvesters this season. We can do everything right all year and still watch it fall apart because the rain didn't come where the storms came at the wrong time. This is the part that people don't always see. The stress, the risk, the sleepless nights heading into harvest. Pray for patience, safety, good decisions and for everyone to make it home safely at the end of the day. That's from Van Driesten Harvesting.   Looking at some crop conditions, the winter wheat. Let's look at Kansas first. According to the USDA NNSS for the week ending May 11th, winter wheat headed was 86 percent, ahead of the 67 percent last year, and well ahead of 49 percent for the five-year average.   And for the Nebraska Wheat Crop Report for the week of May 10, winter wheat headed 36 percent. There's a chart from the Nebraska Wheat Board showing subsoil moisture, topsoil moisture, and the percentages of the winter wheat condition. You can find that right on our Harvest USA Facebook page, and be sure to follow us.   The late Howard Hale wasn't very big on social media, and since he passed away we've been trying to build that social media following up. Please follow us at Harvest USA Report on Facebook.

How about a quick update from High Plains Harvesting... The crew has been very busy prepping equipment and preparing to head south very soon. "As we head into our 15th season as owners, the wheat run is looking challenging to say the least. Perhaps the most challenging to date. Drought and late season freezes have stressed or taken out the crop across a large swath of southern run. Nevertheless, we look to make the best of what is left and we'll be ready to hit the ground running."   BT Harvesting is rolling out as well, and Friesen Harvesting. For them, the 2026 season has started.   Russell's Custom Harvesting wrote that Eric and Zach found a campground in Oklahoma and crossed the border every day to cut wheat. Camper parking is a scarce commodity. They did get their first load into the elevator today.   For MJB Harvesting, the 2026 season is officially underway with cutting around Haskell, Texas. "Definitely a very bleak beginning this year, but we will continue to look forward and be hopeful for what is to come."   And for Frederick Harvesting, the first three combines are headed south to Altus, Oklahoma.    In Kansas, the Wheat Tour 26 highlighted continued stress across Kansas wheat country. Scouts evaluated 117 fields from Colby to Wichita with drought, freeze damage, and wheat streak mosaic virus sharply reducing yield potential in many areas. Check out the Kansas Wheat Post on our Harvest USA report Facebook page.    And on the flip side of harvest, planting season is underway in Ransom County, North Dakota, where North Dakota Soybean Council Director Ted Brandt of Enderlin is getting the crop in the ground. Wishing all the North Dakota farmers a safe and productive season.

Be sure to visit the Harvest USA Report facebook for these stories and more! https://facebook.com/harvestusareport

We're talking to Ted Delagana.  Ted is now from Conrad, Montana, but used to be in, was it the Central Valley in California?    "Central Coast, is what we call it."   You were involved in agriculture down there?    "Yep, all my life."   What kind of things did you do?    "We always had cattle, and then worked for different places that had cattle, and always raised our own hay for the cattle up until when we left. And then I worked for a large place that we farmed about 3,000 acres of dryland grain and hay. Hay there is all oats and barley hay, so it's all just grain hay."   On this side of the Madison line, my dad always called it green feed.   "Pretty much. We had a whole different world there, a lot of rain down there. So, why did you have the cereal grains for hay, or green feed as we call it up here, instead of like something, perennial grass? Not many, we hardly had, a lot of alfalfa hay, a lot of alfalfa, but perennial grass like they have here, almost zero. The ranch I worked for we summer followed, but where I lived, we planted winter so every year. It was just a rain thing, I think, you know, the amount of rain we get."   Could you get more tons per acre off of doing green feed?    "There was alfalfa ranches around and they would get a ton and a half per cutting or so, I'd say, and cut five, sometimes six cuttings. But with our grain hay, we'd get as much as five times the acre on grain hay. You know, we were all selling to cattlemen, feedlots, and then we got fancy stuff. We started growing what they called forage mix. It was a mix of beardless barley, beardless wheat, and a couple varieties of oats. And we'd sell those to the racetracks like Santa Anita and a lot of horse people."   Ted Dalagana from Conrad, Montana with our co-host David Woodruff.  

It's time to get rolling, whether we like it or not, and we do like to get rolling!   MJB Harvesting was reiterating that message, ready or not, here we go, they wrote. "Moving things along a bit earlier than normal this year. Prayers for safe travels, patience and peace of mind for harvesters and farmers this year. Every year is different, but this one is pushing the boundaries on every aspect. There is very little wheat to cut in Texas and Oklahoma, but we will be blessed with a little, so we will be thankful for that and move forward. Please pray for rain in the areas that need it most, for an abundant fall crop." That was from MJB Harvesting.    We can always count on an update from Heil Harvesting, and they wrote, "and just like that, we're finished with our acres in central Oklahoma, and we're back home in Kansas. This means we're back to looking for work, so if you've got some wheat that isn't going to make it, and you're needing some swathing services, let's talk." - Heil Harvesting, LLC.    Mitchell Harvesting is kicking up some dust in Texas. And Braydan Harvesting reiterated that, saying, we're set up in Texas and Oklahoma, and dust will be flying soon.   Froese Brothers are Texas-bound with their first round of equipment, and according to Harvest Support USA UK, wheat is being cut in Oklahoma already, and KB Custom Ag Services is getting busy for the wheat harvest around Dumas, Texas.   Russell's Custom Harvesting writes, "Okay, I'm not really ready, but here we go. Not even finished with the school year yet, but ready to start the harvest run." They're reportedly getting started in Texas.   It sounds like we finally have some action. That's a look at where a few of our crews are. Stay tuned for tomorrow's Harvest USA report to find out more. That's going to do it for today's report.    Thanks again for listening, and may God bless. I'm Brian Hale.

The report discusses how unusual weather patterns in 2026 have made it difficult for custom harvesters to find work across North America. Despite the slowdown, Demaray Harvesting and Trucking in Arizona recently began fieldwork, including deep ripping to break up compacted soil caused by flood irrigation. Hale Harvesting briefly secured a swathing job in Oklahoma, but the work ended quickly, leaving them searching for more opportunities again. Meanwhile, Beckley Harvesting shared photos from a gathering in Kansas, highlighting some community activity despite the challenging season. Overall, the industry is facing limited demand and uncertainty.   Welcome to the Harvest USA Report, I'm Brian Hale. An original production of Howard Hale Broadcasting, now expanded throughout North America. As many of you have heard, it's getting really tough right now for the custom harvesters to find work with the crazy weather patterns that 2026 has delivered.   However, we are finding just a few crews out there getting busy. Demaray Harvesting and Trucking LLC is in Casa Grande, Arizona. They've got a couple machines into the field this last week in Arizona.   It feels good to blow the cobwebs off and get back into the swing of things, they wrote. Demaray does a fair amount of deep ripping in Arizona throughout the year using a Steiger 525 with a 7 shank Wilcox ripper. Ripping is very important in this part of the country because with all of the flood irrigation, the ground gets severely compacted over time and turns into a hard pan.   We generally have to rip anywhere from 24 to 28 or more inches deep in to get under the pan and break the ground up again. Hale Harvesting had some good news, but it didn't last long. They wrote, one day we got a phone call and packed up and hauled a swather down into central Oklahoma.   The phone has just not been ringing, which has made it even more of a delightful surprise to get this swathing call for someone who was a custom grain harvester himself for more than 40 years. The only downside is that we're already finished and back to hunting for more work again, so if you're considering calling to talk swathing, don't hesitate. We wish we were in the field, but we're not.   That's from Hale Harvesting. Our friends at Beckley Harvesting Incorporated were enjoying some lights at Trucktown in Colby, Kansas recently. Some really neat pictures there can be found on our Harvest USA report Facebook page and be sure to follow us there.   That's going to do it for today's Harvest USA report. Thanks again for listening and may God bless. I'm Brian Hale.

Let's check in with Kansas Corn and see how they're doing in Rice County, Kansas.   "Matt Splitter, Kansas Corn Growers president, here near Sterling, Kansas between Sterling and Lyons right in the middle of the state. And we are dry. We're very dry here. We have missed most all the rain that has moved through Kansas over the last couple months. We have had less than two inches of total precipitation here for the year, started January 1st. We did find some early moisture to plant into, but we had to stop planters about that second week of April to try to get some rain, try to get some moisture. We had 20 hundreds the other day here at this field. And so we are having some good emergence still, but it is very concerning that we'll get emergence, but it just will sit there. Progress through our area is kind of spotty hit and miss. We're just not seeing the traditional rollout of planters. Everybody going at once. And I think a lot of that has to do with how dry we are. But we've been here before. We'll get through it again. Statistically we get about 28 inches of rain a year here at this location. And we've had less than two at this point. So statistically, we are encouraged that there is more rain to come. And if that rain will come during the growing season, things will look good. Still trying to be as optimistic as we can. But right now it's we're just really, really dry.   Matt Splitter, Kansas Corn Growers.   Taking a look at the Kansas wheat crop conditions from the NASS... Winter wheat rated 17% very poor, 27% poor, 34% fair, 20% good, and 2% excellent. 

Let's catch the end of that conversation with David Misener and our host David Woodruff.   I guess one good thing about it, if there's no wheat, nobody's going to wear out any combines.   "No, that's, I can say, that is for sure. I got one guy do some little combine repair for and talk to him this morning and last year he had his engine go down just before the end of harvest and on his combine and he went and bought another one so he could finish harvest and he was wanting to upgrade anyways so that kind of forced him to and sold his broken one. But then because he traded combines he got a bigger one so he sold his old header that was smaller and now he's thinking this isn't the year to be going to buy a header. And I says, well don't worry I ain't going to use both of mine down here because there ain't nothing to do. I said I'll rent you a header so you can go combine what you got for seed wheat. Then he can worry about getting a header for that combine next year. He mentioned that he thinks he's got a good combine and he's pleased with what he bought is just a few, a few years old, less than five and and I told him and he says it'll probably take a few years to wear that thing out and I says well it'll even take a few more years if we have a few consistent years like this year even at that. Don't put hours on you don't wear it out. We'll try and see."   We'll sure ask the Lord's blessings on you all. It sure is a rough thing. We'll do what we can and God will bless us with enough that we need. He knows what's going on and we don't and it would be sometimes it'd be nice to have a glimmer of now just what you got in mind there Lord. It's like my old line. I stand by it. You got to be like a doctor and get patients.   David Misener with David Woodruff on our Harvest USA report for today.   Thanks again for listening and may God bless. I'm Brian Hale.