Hayden on Harvest: South Texas harvest crews race storms and rising moisture

Custom harvesting crews in South Texas worked long hours to complete wheat fields ahead of forecasted severe storms and rising grain moisture levels during the 2026 harvest season.

Crews began the day servicing combines and inspecting bearings, chains and belts before returning to the field. Operators said humidity remained extremely high throughout the region, slowing dry down conditions and delaying harvest starts.

Initial wheat samples tested between 14% and 14.5% moisture, above the preferred cutoff for harvest. After additional drying time, crews resumed cutting once grain moisture dropped to roughly 13.3%.

Wet field conditions created additional challenges during harvest operations. Operators reported muddy areas throughout fields, including spots where combines nearly became stuck while harvesting irrigated wheat.

Heavy weed pressure also complicated harvest. Operators said weeds reduced harvesting speeds and increased grain loss monitor readings as plant material moved through combines.

Throughout the day, crews monitored forecasts calling for severe thunderstorms, hail up to 4 inches in diameter and wind gusts reaching 70 mph.

Despite the threat, operators continued harvesting in an effort to complete additional acres before storms arrived. Crews moved between multiple fields, including several irrigated center-pivot circles.

Harvest activity extended late into the evening as crews attempted to finish fields before grain moisture levels climbed again overnight. Operators reported moisture readings increased from about 12.8% earlier in the evening to nearly 14.5% by the end of the night.

The harvest crew eventually suspended operations near 11 p.m. after conditions became too wet for continued cutting.

Crews said additional rainfall forecast later in the week could create further harvest delays across South Texas.