Agricultural News
WheatWatch 2013: Combines Get Rolling Again After Rains Dampen Much of the Wheat Belt
Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:36:02 CDT
The latest USDA figures show about 30 percent of this year's wheat crop in Oklahoma has been harvested. Oklahoma Wheat Commission Executive Director Mike Schulte concurs and says the crop is exceeding early expectations both in terms of test weights and yields. He spoke with Radio Oklahoma Network Farm Director Ron Hays and you can hear the full conversation by clicking on the LISTEN BAR at the bottom of this story.
"So far, we've been hearing really good test weights," Schulte said. "We've been hearing a lot of 59-62 pound test weights. That, now with the rain we have received this past week, I think we'll see the numbers fall slightly. That's not to say that there isn't some wheat out there down in the far southwest region or up in the far northwest region and Panhandle where it had been extremely stressed that those test weights are not lower. I have heard of some 54 and 55 pounds, but I think, overall, producers are thinking that maybe it's coming in a little bit better than what was expected."
In terms of quantity, Schulte said, producers are also finding some surprises. "I have heard a lot of eight- to 15-bushel wheat reported in southwest Oklahoma, but I've also heard a lot of 20- to 25-bushel wheat being reported in southwest Oklahoma. I think as you move up into the central regions I've heard a lot of 25- to 30-bushel wheat. I've heard some instances of some fields south of Enid maybe making 60 bushels per acre and up in the northwest and north central parts of the state I'm hearing a lot of 45- to 55-bushel wheat."
Schulte filed this latest detailed update on harvest activity across Oklahoma:
Producers in Oklahoma have been slowed with harvest progress due to moisture received throughout much of the Oklahoma wheat belt Saturday, Sunday and early Monday morning. While most of far southwest and far southern Oklahoma regions are almost complete with the 2013 harvest, producers in all areas of the state are hopeful to be back in the fields, although more storms are predicted for tomorrow. Test weights are suffering in the regions most affected by drought conditions.
Southwest Oklahoma
Areas of Eldorado, Altus, Frederick, Gotebo and Chattanooga are 90-97 percent complete depending on the location. The wheat taken in this part of the state has been reported to be making anywhere from 8 to 15 bushels per acre in many of the fields, we have had some reports of fields doing better making anywhere from 20 to 25 bushels per acre. Some producers have been saying it is doing better than what was anticipated but we still have a lot of abandonment in this part of that state. Test weights ranging for the most part from 58 to 60 pounds per bushel, with reports of lower test weights ranging from 56.6-57 pounds per bushel on wheat that has been recently taken in around Lone Wolf after the rains this past weekend. Protein reports from this region have varied all over the board from 12 to as high as 19 percent. Average proteins from this region are coming in at around 14 percent.
South Central Oklahoma
Areas around Apache, Hinton, Cordell and Clinton are approximately 45 to 50 percent cut out depending on the locations. As of this afternoon combines in this region are starting to move again. Test weights in the region have been reported from 57 pounds per bushel to 60 pounds per bushel. Before the rains this week approximately 10 percent of the wheat in this region was weighing in the 57-58 pound per bushel range. The rest was falling in the 59 to 61 pound per bushel range. It is estimated those numbers will drop this week with the rains that have been received. Proteins around the Apache area reported to be in the 12 percent range. Yields in this region are varying all over the board, with better wheat reported around the Apache area. Yields in this region making anywhere from 20 to 40 bushels per acre. Yields around the Clinton area reported to be making anywhere from 12 to 22 bushels per acre.
Central Oklahoma
Areas of El Reno, Okarche, Piedmont, Kingfisher and Loyal are approximately 25 to 35 percent harvested depending on the location. Areas around Watonga and Greenfield were just starting harvest before the rains came in this weekend. Before the rains average test weights in this area were reported to be making between 59 to 61 pounds per bushel. Yield reports in this region have had ranges of 15 bushels per acre to some yields as high as 40 bushels per acre. Producers in this region have been fighting mud from the rains not only this weekend but previous rains from two weeks ago. Many producers in central Oklahoma are concerned about the potential for falling test weights because of the rains received this week.
North Central and Northeast Oklahoma
Areas north and south of Enid have been slowed with harvest progress because of the rains this past weekend. This area of the state is approximately 20 to 25 percent complete with harvest. Much of the test weights reported in this region were averaging 60 pounds per bushel before the rains this past week. Yields reported in this region have ranged from the mid 20's to as high as 60 bushels per acre.
A lot of yield reports coming in from this area reported to be making 40 to 55 bushels per acre. Protein test coming in from this region have been reported to be staying strong around the 12 percent range.
Northwest Region of the State
Most areas in this part of the state were just getting a good start on Thursday and Friday before the weekend rains. Around Seiling, it is estimated that 5 percent of the crop is cut out. Producers around Alva, Cherokee, and Burlington were just getting a good start as well and plan on being back in the fields today. Test weights in this region have varied all over the board, with a lot of reports of 58 to 60 pound test weight wheat. It is predicted these test weight will drop because of the moisture received this past week. We have had some reports of extremely low test weight around the Burlington area that had extreme damage because of the drought this past year, some reports showing test weights to be 52 pounds and lower. Proteins have not been reported in this area yet.
Panhandle Region
In Hooker Oklahoma a couple loads of wheat have been hauled in before the rains this past weekend. Harvest is just starting in this region as well on the dry-land wheat. Protein on this wheat was reported to be 17.6 percent. Test weights were lower coming in at 56.6 pounds.
More harvest updates can be found on the Oklahoma Wheat Commission website: www.wheat.state.ok.us/
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