Agricultural News
Excitement and High Interest Surrounds Record 2020 Oklahoma Wheat Crop Says Mike Schulte, Oklahoma Wheat Commission, as They Prepare For Annual Junior Wheat Show July 21 in Stillwater
Tue, 14 Jul 2020 11:33:56 CDT
This year's Oklahoma wheat crop turned out to be one of the best in terms of quality and quantity. After reviewing the latest USDA crop estimate, which pegged the crop at 113.4 million bushels, Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays visited with Mike Schulte, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.
We've never seen a 42 bushel per acre average yield statewide and certainly that is on par with what we have seen in central and northern Oklahoma, Schulte said.
Making the production even more impressive is the fact that little to no yields were reported in southwest and south-central Oklahoma due to an April freeze.
This is the best yielding and quality crop I have ever seen in my life, Schulte said.
He added veteran producers who have been growing wheat for 40 and 50 years agreed.
This crop was consistent in test weight, kernel size and color.
Schulte said protein varied from 8 percent to 15.5 percent.
We're going to be at an average of 11.2 percent protein statewide, Schulte said.
For us to have the good test weights and protein, the functionality is going to be there for the millers and bakers, making this one of the highest quality crops we're able to move into the marketplace, Schulte said.
The market is reacting, he said, as many buyers are looking at the Oklahoma crop.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no trade teams have made actual visits to Oklahoma, but U.S. Wheat Associates has made it possible for virtual trade delegation visits with Brazil, Mexico and several Latin American countries.
Domestic use is also on the rise, Schulte said.
We have seen domestic use on flour increase by 3 percent over the past 4 months, Schulte said.
Adding to the favorable wheat market picture is the lack of foreign competition.
We're not seeing the strong competition from Russia, France and Argentina, Schulte noted.
I am hopeful some good things are going to happen with our markets, Schulte said.
Contributing to the excitement surrounding this crop now is the traditional Junior Wheat Show contest for 4-H and FFA members. This annual event provides a big boost for students' educational funds as $16,000 in scholarship money is up for grabs.
We are going to continue to have the show, but it will look a little different, Schulte said.
Sample collection will be at the Payne County Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 21 with judging beginning promptly at 8:30.
Samples can be dropped off, Schulte said, but contestants will then have to leave the building.
Samples can also be mailed in but need to be mailed in by Wednesday (July 15) in order to arrive in time.
Past contests have featured educational courses for the students but due to the pandemic Schulte said these courses will not be available this year.
Information on the visual portion of the contest will be posted on the Oklahoma Wheat Commission website.
To view the rules and get more information on the Junior Wheat Show contest, click here.
Results announced in October.
You can hear more of Ron's interview with Schulte by clicking on the listen bar below.
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