The 2025 wheat harvest season is proving to be a mixed bag for custom harvesters, with persistent rain and high humidity creating challenges, but overall yields and crop quality are holding strong in many areas. Paul Paplow of U.S. Custom Harvesters, currently operating out of Kiowa, Kansas, provided an update to Farm Director KC Sheperd on the dynamic situation, highlighting both the frustrations and the encouraging signs.
While many regions have been plagued by significant rainfall, Paplow’s crew in Kiowa has been fortunate. “We haven’t missed a day of cutting here,” Paplow told Farm Director KC Sheperd, noting that they only received “10 to 20 hundredths” of an inch of rain on a recent Tuesday night, allowing them to resume harvesting the very next day. This contrasts sharply with areas north and south of them that received much heavier downpours.
The widespread nature of the harvest and the varied weather patterns mean harvesters are spread thin across multiple states. Paplow’s operation currently has machines in Wichita Falls, Texas; Kingfisher, Oklahoma; Kiowa and Anthony, Kansas; and Perryton, Texas. “We’re split up all over,” he explained, with plans to consolidate machinery as areas finish up.
Weather, however, remains the primary obstacle. Paplow confirmed that reports of widespread rain and hail in Kansas are accurate. “Yes, it is very wet in a lot of places,” he stated, citing a friend in the Kingman, Kansas area who received “anywhere four and a half to six inches of rain on Tuesday,” making those fields “extremely wet.”
Humidity has also been a consistent challenge, causing delays in morning starts. “The humidity has still been pretty high,” Paplow noted. “We haven’t got going good any morning yet, most times spend lunchtime or a little bit after.” However, a recent shift in the weather, with increased wind and warmer temperatures, offered a glimmer of hope. “I think today we might actually get some harvest weather for once.”
Despite the challenging conditions, Paplow reports that the wheat in his immediate area is holding up well. “Everything I see around here still looks pretty good,” he affirmed. He even observed an improvement in test weights in recent days, attributing it to both variety and the elevation of the crop, suggesting that earlier lower test weights might have been due to late freeze damage.
Yields have been particularly encouraging, with Paplow reporting, “Everything we’ve been doing has been anywhere from 40 to about 70. So, I mean, very, very good yields.”
While delays are undeniable, Paplow believes the situation is manageable for now. “At this point, it’s still manageable,” he said, optimistically adding, “If we get another three or four good days of cutting, I think we can start getting caught up and get back on track.” However, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding western Kansas, unsure when those fields will be ready.
For farmers whose fields are too wet for their own equipment, U.S. Custom Harvesters offers a solution. “Absolutely, you know, we’ve provided all the equipment,” Paplow emphasized. “A lot of guys have tracks, four-wheel drive, duals. You know, we’re set up for all conditions, so if some stuff’s too wet for you, we might be able to handle it.”
Farmers in need of assistance can contact U.S. Custom Harvesters by calling their office or sending an email to Mandy at USCHI.com.
As the harvest progresses, Paplow remains hopeful. “The forecast looks pretty good for the next 10 days. So I think that we should be in the clear now for a little bit.”
