Newly released sampling data from 51 Kansas counties show slightly more of this year’s wheat graded as top quality.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service said Friday in its annual wheat quality report that 85 percent of the samples graded as No. 1 wheat, compared with 83 percent last year.

About 14 percent of the samples graded as No. 2 and 1 percent graded as No. 3 or below.

Protein content for the Kansas crop statewide was 12.2 percent, down slightly from 12.4 percent a year ago. Southwest Kansas had the highest levels with samples averaging 13.2 percent protein.

Data from 16,143 samples found an average test weight of 60.9 pounds per bushel. Last year’s crop averaged 61.1 pounds per bushel.