Agricultural News
Agronomist Mark Gregory Says Southern Oklahoma Wheat Crop is Looking 'Scary Good'
Wed, 02 May 2012 14:47:52 CDT
The wheat crop in South Central and Southwest Oklahoma is looking “scary good right now,” says OSU Area Extension Agronomist Mark Gregory. Gregory told attendees at this year’s Grain and Feed Annual Meeting that producers in his area will see a tremendous increase in their harvests this year, at least twice the size of last year’s.
Gregory is predicting almost 39 million bushels will be harvested in his region this year on a little more than one million acres. He says farmers across the region could easily see a yield near 38 bushels per acre.
Even at that, Gregory says things could be even better. He says his region has never really gotten over the drought and high temperatures and drying winds over the last few days have scorched some fields. The dry conditions, however, have set the stage for an early harvest.
“I think as we get close to the Red River, from that Walters area across to Grandfield, south of Altus, over to Hollis, I think we’re seven days, maybe less. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re not test cutting some wheat this weekend.”
The fact that conditions have not been perfect for the crop might be another blessing in disguise, Gregory says. Environmental stresses and residual nitrogen both work to boost protein levels.
“A lot of guys didn’t have to use a lot of nitrogen because they didn’t use it last year; it was still in the soil. So, I think between that and dry weather and plenty of nitrogen on these fields from last year, I think we’ve got a chance of having a pretty good quality crop.”
You can hear more from Mark Gregory by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
