Hayden on Harvest: Rain, mud and low yields complicate start of Central Texas wheat harvest

Central Texas wheat harvest got off to a difficult start as repeated rainfall, muddy field conditions and disappointing yields slowed harvest progress across the region.

Custom harvesting crews returned to the field after more than a week of rain, hoping to begin cutting wheat before another round of storms arrived. However, moisture concerns quickly created challenges.

Early field samples produced conflicting moisture readings, with combine monitors showing wheat near 12.7% moisture while handheld tests measured as high as 17%. Operators attributed some of the variation to green grass and immature kernels mixed with harvested grain samples.

Shortly after harvest began, storms moved into the area, bringing hail and rain that forced crews to suspend operations and return to camp.

When conditions improved, harvesters split equipment between multiple farms while attempting to take advantage of limited cutting windows. One crew moved equipment south of town while another remained harvesting fields closer to home.

Despite the difficult conditions, some wheat fields produced stronger-than-expected yields. One dryland field averaged roughly 51 bushels per acre during early harvest passes, according to combine monitor readings.

Other fields fared much worse.

Operators reported some wheat fields averaging only 10 to 15 bushels per acre, while portions of other fields yielded as little as 6 to 7 bushels per acre.

The poor yields prompted discussions with crop insurance representatives. In one field, operators estimated harvest costs alone could approach the value of the grain being harvested.

Mud also became a recurring issue throughout the harvest. Crews worked through wet draws and low areas where combines repeatedly picked up soil and debris while attempting to harvest lodged wheat. One combine became plugged with mud and required removal of the header to clear the feeder house before operations could continue.

Weed pressure added another challenge. Operators noted heavy grass infestations in some fields and said green vegetation complicated harvest timing and grain moisture readings.

Additional storms remained in the forecast, including threats of heavy rainfall and large hail, leaving harvest crews uncertain about how quickly they could finish remaining wheat acres.

Despite the setbacks, crews continued harvesting available acres while preparing to move equipment between farms as conditions allowed.