Agricultural News
Rain, Rain Go Away- OK Wheat Farmers Delayed Yet Again This Time Getting Crop Out Instead of In
Tue, 28 May 2019 19:23:38 CDT
Untimely wet weather seems to be a recurring theme in this year's wheat crop. The season began with heavy rains that forced farmers in Oklahoma to either reseed their fields or plant late. Now as harvest quickly approaches, the rainy weather has returned threatening yet another delay in this crop's progress. To talk about the current conditions of Oklahoma's wheat crop, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn reached out to Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service's Southwest Area Agronomist Heath Sanders. You can listen to their complete conversation about the wheat crop conditions across southwest Oklahoma, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below at the bottom of the page.
According to Sanders, many fields are very wet in his area, though not to the extent that fields in northcentral Oklahoma and other areas are right now. From what he has observed, there has been a sharp rise in the amount of wheat that has turned white - due to extended periods of standing water on the ground.
Sanders says many farmers are disappointed because the crop was actually showing a lot of potential coming off a rough start last fall and out of winter into a cool spring. However, the rains have again returned.
"Too much rain can be almost as bad as no rain," said Sanders, who disagrees with the latest USDA Crop Progress report. While the report indicates a 73 percent good to excellent rating for Oklahoma's wheat crop, Sanders believes this to be a bit of an overshot and that in reality, the number is frankly lower than that.
The best wheat Sanders has seen is in far south Oklahoma. There, he says fields are rapidly maturing. Though, again, wet conditions are keeping harvesters out of the field. Sanders says more and more, plants are tabling down under the weight of their heads and softened by the moisture. While still harvestable, he says the forecast for continuing rains will only worsen the situation. If rains do hold off, though, Sanders says harvesters might be able to get in the field within the next 7 to 10 days as the ground dries out.
Hear more of what Sanders has to say about Oklahoma's wheat crop currently, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below.
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