By ROD ZOOK
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — With harvest underway, all eyes are not only on the skies, but on the markets as well. This year could be a little better for farmers.
“On the marketing side, our producers have had an opportunity to market wheat over $5 several times throughout the last couple of months,” Devin Schierling, marketing manager for Team Marketing Alliance, said. “Normally, coming into this time frame we see some harvest pressure. We’re at numbers that are higher than we were a year ago.”
People who pass by grain elevators often see large piles of grain on the ground. Schierling says that yield numbers should be strong in the area and there will be enough storage and railcars to move the harvest around.
“Market access is extremely important for the country elevators,” Schierling said. “The market gave us the indication in the past to pick up a lot of grain and move it, making room for both this harvest and fall harvest.”
While it has been a tough road for farmers recently, Schierling says those who have taken advantage of farm programs and managed their revenue should see better days ahead.
“Things in the farm gate continue to be very challenging,” Schierling said. “If you look at some of the recent data that came out, a majority of the farm income is going to be coming from off-farm revenue, meaning government programs and support versus actual profitability from growing the crops.”
Still, the strong harvest numbers should help.
“We should see above-average yields and be able to put some revenue and cash flow back,” Schierling said. “Things are still really challenging at the farm gate for those who haven’t been aggressive in managing their risk management program.”
So far, harvest is looking good in central Kansas with weights coming in over 60 pounds and yields running over 70 bushels per acre in some areas of Reno County.