Agricultural News
Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Stop and Go, As Tropical Depression Bill Brings Lots of Humidity
Thu, 18 Jun 2015 05:00:07 CDT
Harvest has been limited in parts of Oklahoma this week, before the arrival of Tropical Depression Bill on Wednesday afternoon. That's according to the latest Oklahoma Wheat Commission Harvest Report. Here is the report submitted by Executive Director Mike Schulte:
"Harvest is beginning after the rains this past week, in certain locations of North Central and Northwestern Oklahoma with some loads received yesterday evening. Producers in many areas are still fighting high moisture as of this afternoon. Once machines get moving it will be a late start today. In areas of Southwest and South Central Oklahoma producers are having to contend with mud in many locations which is keeping them from even trying until the weekend. We have seen some wheat hauled into the Hinton area yesterday, but harvest in this region was very minimal. Test weights have gone down in many areas, with lower than expected yields reported in South Central and Central Oklahoma. Some fields in Southern and Central Oklahoma will never be harvested because of the extremely low test weights and will be turned in for crop insurance. Areas on the Oklahoma/Texas line are 90% to 95% complete with harvest. In regions of South Central Oklahoma around Hobart and Lone Wolf approximately 10% to 20% of the crop is left in the field, with Lawton now reported to be 85% complete. Parts of Central Oklahoma are reported to be 95% complete around the Okarche, Kingfisher and Cashion areas. Around the Omega, Watonga, Greenfield areas and west of Thomas harvest is approximately only 40% complete. As harvest has progressed into Northern Oklahoma up around the Enid, Cherokee, Nardin, Pond Creek and Ponca City areas harvest is reported to be less than 10 percent finished. Producers and elevator managers hope that the state will receive dry weather over the next 5 to 6 days so custom crews, as well as producers, can make better gains towards completion.
"While yields have declined in Southern and South Central Oklahoma, managers are not figuring this harvest to be a complete loss, although in some regions it is predicted ½ of the crop will be taken in from earlier May predictions. The forecast is still double of what was taken in last year in most locations of Southern Oklahoma, which happened to be the worst harvest on record since 1957. Yields have ranged all over the board from reports of 15 bushels per acre to as high as 39 bushels per acre in most regions, with higher yields reported around the Frederick, Okarche, Kingfisher and Cashion areas. It is still too early to determine what actual yields are going to be in Northwest Oklahoma but we are hearing ranges anywhere from 18 bushels an acre to the mid 30's depending on variety, fungicide applications and planting dates. Proteins being reported this week by most locations have seen an increase even as we have progressed into Northern Oklahoma. Previously we were calling a state average at 11.5% but that number actually could be higher based off reports from this week, possibly even above 12% for the state average. It does look like blending is going to have to take place for the lower test weights in some regions but most elevator managers are talking like they are equipped to do this. We have not heard of any sprout damage in Northern Oklahoma, and we have not seen an increase from the minor amounts of sprout reported in Southern and Central Oklahoma. Sprout damage could change based off of the rains received this weekend, but most managers are hopeful we may have dodged a bullet with sprout issues regarding the weather situation this year."
On Monday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the Texas wheat harvest was 47% complete, close to the 5 year average of 46% complete at this time.
USDA had the Oklahoma wheat harvest at 38% complete, behind the 5 year average of 57% complete at this time.
USDA had the Kansas wheat harvest 2% complete, compared to their 5 year average of 18.5% complete at this time.
The next harvest report from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published on Friday, June 19, 2015.
To learn more about the mission of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, click here for their official website.
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