Agricultural News
Heat and Drought Delays Wheat Seeding Efforts in Oklahoma
Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:01:39 CDT
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission hosted their annual Junior Wheat Show earlier this week and we sat down with Mike Schulte, CEO of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, to discuss why this program is important to them and what wheat planting prospects look like for grazing and as we prepare for the 2012 crop season.
The Junior Wheat Show is an educational opportunity for 4-H and FFA members to learn the importance of maintaining new technologies and new varities when it comes to wheat production, as well as, learn the new ways to produce better wheat with higher yields says Schulte. The Oklahoma Wheat Commission gave out over $20,000 in prizes and scholarships to the participants in this year's Junior Wheat Show.
However, many wheat producers across the state are struggling with the decision for the 2012 wheat crop. Schulte says it is safe to say that most producers are concerned going into this next planting season, especially in southwestern, western Oklahoma and the panhandle region. Schulte says across the state there has not been any wheat planted yet because of high temperatures and high soil temperatures.
According to Gary McManus, Associate State Climatologist and an Oklahoma Climatological Survey, the heat has been fed by extreme drought that began nearly a year ago. The statewide average precipitation total from October 1, 2010-August 31, 2011, finished at 18.59 inches, 14.29 inches below normal and the third driest such period on record. That 11-month period was the driest on record for the Panhandle, north central, west central and southwestern Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Mesonet sites at Boise City, Grandfield, Goodwell and Hooker all recorded less than 6 inches of rainfall since October 1.
As producers look to crop insurance for relief, Schulte reminds them that November 1 is the last date to have your crop in the ground in order to be eligible for the crop insurance programs. Overall, Schulte believes that Oklahoma will not see many wheat pastures planted for grazing this year.
Click on the LISTEN bar below to hear the rest of Ron Hays and Mike Schulte's conversation on the current wheat situation and what Oklahoma can expect for the 2012 crop season.
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