Wheat farmers who join the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers by June 30 will have a chance to win a GrainSense Analyzer protein tester valued at $4,300, donated by Elevate Ag. Using advanced NIR (near-infrared) technology, this handheld device can deliver a quick measurement of protein content and other data in just a few seconds, providing the user with profitable information for marketing his or her wheat crop. Join or renew at kswheat.com/join to be entered into the drawing.
As wheat harvest is beginning to ramp up in south central Kansas, it’s more important than ever for farmers to know the protein content in their crop. Typically in years with higher wheat yields, that could mean a slightly lower protein content.
“We’re starting to see some protein distinctions in the marketplace, where there are going to be some premiums in place,” said Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat. “We’re seeing that with the Kansas City Hard Red Winter wheat futures contract and the Minneapolis spring wheat contract, with over a dollar spread between those two.”
Gilpin pointed out the importance of knowing the protein content in your fields and segregating to capture value in those higher proteins. As Kansas wheat farmers are more intensively managing their wheat, having more immediate information on quality and protein from the field can help with marketing decisions.
“For farmers that have the ability to know what their protein is at harvest time, it could be a year they can capture a little extra value. We’re certainly seeing more locations across the state that have incorporated protein testers at their sites. Going across the scale I think you’ll probably see more coops and delivery points that are measuring protein,” said Gilpin. “It’s important to know what you have and try to capture value when you can, if you have that capability with storage and being able to deliver to a market that’s going to reward for it.”
The GrainSense Analyzer is a battery-powered, handheld grain analyzer with advanced NIR (near Infrared) technology. It can give an accurate analysis through a simple app on your phone within a few seconds with only about 40 kernels of wheat. It provides a quick measurement of protein content, moisture, oil content and carbohydrates, allowing the user to sort their wheat into storage by quality and adjusting in realtime to the most profitable opportunities.
To help members get a better idea of their protein, the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers has teamed up with Elevate Ag to give away one GrainSense Analyzer this harvest. Farmers who join the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers or renew their membership by June 30 will be entered into a drawing to win one of these quality analyzers, with delivery on or about July 1. Each one-year membership receives one entry, a three-year membership receives six entries, and a five-year membership will get 12 entries into the drawing.
In addition, KAWG members also receive the following benefits:
• Wheat Varieties for Kansas and the Great Plains – Your Best Choices Book
• Wheat Farmer/Row Crop Farmer monthly newsletter
• Weekly Market Analysis by Dan Maltby (via email)
• Weekly member e-newsletter with state and national news
To join KAWG, visit our website at kswheat.com/join.
Kansas Wheat sends out a harvest report on a semi-daily basis throughout the harvest season. Sign up for these reports on our website at kswheat.com/harvest. To follow along with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest21. Tag us at @kansaswheat on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to share your harvest story and photos.
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The GrainSense Analyzer is a battery-powered, handheld grain analyzer with advanced NIR (near Infrared) technology.
