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Kansas Department of Commerce, Kansas Wheat to sponsor Kansas Wheat Harvest ProgramKansas With the state's wheat harvest beginning soon, the Kansas Department of Commerce has partnered with Kansas Wheat for the 2008 Kansas Wheat Harvest Program which will connect wheat farmers with custom cutters. The Kansas Wheat Harvest Program includes a toll-free number--(877) 251-4328--where farmers and custom cutters can be matched. The number will be staffed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and will have 24-hour voicemail service. In addition, staff can be reached at WheatHarvest@KansasCommerce.com. Harvest activities from Kansas Wheat include the seventh annual Harvest Salute. The Harvest Salute recognizes the value of Kansas wheat producers, and conveys a message of appreciation for a contribution that goes beyond economic benefit. These folks have created an agricultural heritage that is unmatched--Kansas, the "breadbasket of the world." Kansas Wheat will also be providing daily harvest reports that track the progress of the harvest. These audio and written reports are available from www.kansaswheat.org. "We know how important the wheat harvest is to our state," said Kansas Department of Commerce Secretary David Kerr. "We're excited to partner with Kansas Wheat on this year's Kansas Wheat Harvest Program, and I'm optimistic these services will help Kansas farmers find the custom cutters they need for a successful harvest." On average, Kansas produces more wheat than any other state, accounting for nearly 20 percent of total domestic production. In 2005, the wheat industry generated 198,370 jobs nationwide. The total impact of the industry on the U.S. economy was $20.6 billion. Of the state's 63,000 farmers, about 28,500 grow wheat. Wheat accounts for an average economic impact to Kansas of nearly $2 billion annually. For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at 785-296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com. Harvest is underway in Oklahoma according to Mark Hodges, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. The 2008 Oklahoma wheat harvest actually started a week ago May 23, but all the wheat cut until the last couple of days was "test" cutting. "Generally" there is wheat being cut in several areas south of Highway 62 (Lawton to Altus) and not any north of there. Early reports include outstanding test weights of 61 to 65 pounds per bushel, very good berry color and very good berry size. The only reports of yields are from yield monitors on combines, but not enough information to report numbers. However, Mark reports that producers have been pleased with what they see coming into their bins. The biggest concern is the continuing severe weather (outside the area currently being harvested). Hail, high winds and flooding threaten most other areas of the state making producers very nervous about getting this crop in the bin. 6/2/08 Date: 5/29/08
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