Agricultural News
Recent Rains Prove to be a Blessing for Lagging Wheat and Canola in Southern Oklahoma
Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:29:59 CDT
Farmers in southern Oklahoma are assessing their wheat and canola crops as the weather fluctuates between winter and spring. Jimmy Kinder, a farmer from Walters, spoke with Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays about the progress of his crops at the recent Croplan Answer Plot Education Event in Apache. He said it appears the wheat in his area is a couple of weeks behind where it was at this time last year. But, he said, that's not all bad. (You can hear the full interview by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story.)
"It may be a blessing in disguise as we're getting some rain right now and I'm just glad the crop is a little bit behind where it was last year developmentally, so maybe this rain will be able to help us develop a better crop."
Kinder said a couple of nights of freezing temperatures in the last week did affect his crop, with heads freezing in the boot.
"It's probably almost ten percent of that field that was affected that way. Yield-wise, the drought is the big yield drag in that field. So, I think we definitely got hurt, but the drought is going to be the major issue for the day."
With rain falling in Apache during the Answer Plot Event, Kinder said with continued moisture his crops might be average to slightly above in some fields.
"I think, right now, anybody back home, if we could bring an average wheat crop forward, I think we would be happy. I think there are some fields that can definitely do better than average, but you've always got those certain fields that, production-wise, just didn't make it through the winter very well and because of stand issues or weeds or something are going to be a drag. So, this year, if I can get an average wheat crop, I'll be happy."
Kinder said his canola is also a couple of weeks behind last year. A couple of the earlier varieties on his test plots took some freeze damage, but he said he's hopeful they will rebloom. He said most of his canola, however, looks fine. He estimated his crop is about 10 percent in bloom at this time.
Canola has been positive addition to his operation Kinder said, producing from 20 to 30 bushels per acre. He said the higher price for canola and the increased yields of wheat following it in rotation have made it a viable crop for his area.
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