Perkins County wheat harvest in final stages

This year’s wheat harvest is moving into the final stages in Perkins County. Much of the dryland wheat has already been harvested with focus switching to irrigated fields. Yields, test weights and quality have bounced all over the board this year, with Mother Nature making the biggest impact. A late freeze in the region caused damage to the crop, freezing off tiller stems that have the potential to grow a head, thus reducing yields. Secondly, hot, dry winds in early June baked out the crop as the heads were beginning to fill, also hurting yields.  Above, Alvin ‘Hank’ Pankonin and Leon Pankonin cut an irrigated field on Alvin Pankonin’s farm north of Grant Monday.