Early sampling shows state wheat quality up

Early data on the quality of the 2005 wheat harvest shows that 63 percent of the Kansas crop received the highest possible rating, the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said in its first wheat quality report of the season.

Last year, 51 percent of Kansas wheat was ranked No. 1 after drought took a heavy toll on the state’s signature crop. About 36 percent of the 2005 crop graded as No. 2 wheat, the same as a year ago, the report said. Only 1 percent graded No. 3 or below, compared with 13 percent last year.

KASS and the Kansas Grain Inspection Service examined data from 1,400 carlot samples from 35 counties. The June 30 report – funded by the Kansas Wheat Commission – examines test weight, protein content, grade and defects.

Sales

Automakers embrace employee discounts

DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group became the last of the Big Three carmakers to slap employee discounts on its vehicles Wednesday, raising the stakes in a price war with a very uncertain outcome.

Under the program, which runs through Aug. 1, Chrysler is offering some Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles at the employee rate plus up to $3,500 cash back. Chrysler is following the lead of General Motors Corp., which began offering an employee discount to customers June 1, and Ford Motor Co., which announced an employee pricing plan Tuesday.

Chrysler’s program excludes the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Magnum, Sprinter and Viper and the Jeep Liberty Diesel. All 2006 models and SRT models also are excluded.

GM’s sales jumped 41 percent in June thanks to the discount, which allowed customers to buy vehicles for an average of $400 to $500 less than they spent in May. Ford and Chrysler followed after lackluster sales in June.

Western Wireless

Alltel’s acquisition gets tentative OK

The Justice Department on Wednesday tentatively approved Alltel Corp.’s $4.4 billion acquisition of Western Wireless Corp. on condition that Alltel divest some of its rural properties, including the Western Wireless assets it would be acquiring in Kansas.

The $4.4 billion cash and stock purchase was announced Jan. 10. The deal would push Alltel to the No. 5 slot among U.S. wireless carriers.