There were plenty of well-documented challenges to the 2017 wheat crop in Kansas — drought, freeze, a freakish blizzard, a devastating outbreak of wheat streak mosiac, high pressure from other diseases and harvest delays because of rain.

In spite of those challenges, the resilience of the crop for both yields and quality stands as a testament to the hard work of wheat breeders and Kansas producers. According to the 2017 Kansas Wheat Quality Report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service, 67% of the submitted samples graded No 1, while 30% graded No. 2 and only 3% graded No. 3 or below.

Data from the 2017 crop year was compiled from 12,851 carlot samples from 51 counties. The samples showed an average test weight of 60.5 pounds per bushel compared to the 10-year average of 60.7 pounds per bushel. Comparatively, the crop in 2016 averaged 60.5 pounds.

Protein content averaged 11.6%, down from 11.7% in 2016 and below the 10-year average of 12.5%. The west-central and southwest districts had the highest protein content at 12%. Statewide, moisture content averaged 11.3%, above 11.2% last year and equal to the 10-year average of 11.2%.

Wheat samples for 2017 averaged 0.4% damaged kernels, up 0.1% from 2016 and the 10-year average. Samples tested had 0.1% foreign material on average, up 0.1 percentage point from 2016 and equal to the 10-year average.

Shrunken and broken kernels averaged 1.1%, equal to 2016 and down 0.1% from the 10-year average. Total defects averaged 1.6%, up 0.1 % from 2016 and down 0.1% from the 10-year average. Average dockage for all samples was 0.6%, equal to last year.

There were 5,628 samples voluntarily submitted for inspection in the 2017 crop year. The test weight for those samples averaged 60.5 pounds per bushel, protein was 11.4%, and moisture content was 11.6%. Of the submitted samples, 76% graded No. 1, while 20% graded No. 2 and 4% graded No. 3 or below.

Samples were collected by the Kansas Grain Inspection Service. Data were summarized by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Collection and publication services were funded by the Kansas Wheat Commission.