Participants in the winter wheat tour are forecasting low crop yields in fields along northern Kansas counties that they looked at during the first day.

The industry group Kansas Wheat reports that the expected average yield of 34.3 for the first day was slightly lower than last year’s estimate for the first leg. It was the lowest first day average since 2001.

The tour’s estimate reflects the findings of the 92 participants who traveled in 21 vehicles along six routes to inspect 284 fields on Tuesday before ending up for the day in Colby.

Participants in the annual Wheat Quality Tour are findng drought stress, stripe rust disease, winter kill and pest infestations.

The tour continues Wednesday across western Kansas.

Its statewide forecast is announced Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri.