Kansas has long been known as the “Wheat State”, and with good reason since Kansas is the nation’s leading wheat producer with records of wheat production actually pre-dating statehood. There are indications that wheat was produced in the area as early as 1839.
The abolitionists prevailed, and on January 29, 1861, Kansas entered the Union as a free state, hence the unofficial nickname ” The Free State “. By 2015, Kansas was one of the most productive agricultural states, producing high yields of wheat, corn, sorghum, and soybeans.
Kansas is named after the Kansas River, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native Americans who lived along its banks. The tribe ‘s name (natively kką:ze) is often said to mean “people of the (south) wind” although this was probably not the term’s original meaning.
What type of wheat is grown in Kansas?
Eastern Kansas is part of the Grain Belt, an area of major grain production in the central United States. Approximately 40% of all winter wheat grown in the US is grown in Kansas. Roughly 95% of the wheat grown in the state is hard red winter wheat.
Most of Washington’s wheat and barley crop is grown in Eastern Washington, however you can also find fields on the west side of the state grown for local use. Whitman County, home of the famous Palouse hills, consistently grows more wheat per acre than any other county in the state.
Hard white wheat has a foothold in Kansas, Colorado, Idaho and Nebraska. It is being used to make whole wheat white bread. Durum wheat, used for pasta products and couscous, is primarily grown in the desert Southwest, North Dakota and Montana.
You could be wondering “What type of wheat is grown in Eastern Washington?”
Soft white winter wheat, which is planted in the fall, is the dominant class grown in Eastern Washington. Exactly when the crop is planted depends on the moisture condition of the soil.
Can you grow durum wheat in Washington State?
Durum wheat, used for pasta products and couscous, is primarily grown in the desert Southwest, North Dakota and Montana. About 20 percent of the wheat grown annually in Washington is sown to hard red winter or hard red spring wheat.
What are some interesting facts about Kansas?
Kansas, which has an area of 82,278 square miles (213,100 square kilometers) is the 15th-largest state by area and is the 34th most-populous of the 50 states, with a population of 2,940,865 according to the 2020 census. Residents of Kansas are called Kansans. Mount Sunflower is Kansas’s highest point at 4,039 feet (1,231 meters).
When is spring wheat harvested?
Spring wheat is used as a rotation crop. Because of its shorter growing season, it rarely yields as much as winter wheat. The driest and hottest areas of the state begin harvest in July. Farmers around Connell, Washington traditionally are the first to start harvest on the day after the Fourth of July.