The Kansas winter wheat harvest has passed

the halfway mark, with farmers bringing in what’s being called an

above-average crop in yields and quality.

Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that

harvest was 55 percent complete.

Justin Gilpin is chief executive officer of the trade group

Kansas Wheat. He says that with favorable weather forecast for the

next few days, the harvest should wind down this week across most

of Kansas.

Gilpin also says the wheat has been averaging protein levels of

about 12 percent – the rough benchmark for domestic breads and for

demand from other countries. That is easing early market fears

prompted by low-protein wheat harvested in Texas and Oklahoma.