Agricultural News
Texas Winter Wheat Crop Could be Better Than Expected
Wed, 19 May 2021 08:26:31 CDT
The Texas winter wheat crop could yield a better-than-expected crop as combines begin harvest in southern Texas, said Jackie Rudd, Texas A & M Agrilife and project leader of the hard winter wheat breeding program for the High Plains and Rolling Plains of Texas.
Rudd was interviewed during the recent OSU wheat field day in LaHoma by Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director and Editor KC Sheperd.
Taking it region by region, as the Texas crop is spread over a large area, Rudd provided a snapshot of the wheat crop.
Dryland in the High Plains looked good 3 or 4 weeks ago but dry conditions since have hurt the crop, he said.
Rudd estimates dryland yields in that area will be around 25 bushels per acre.
Irrigated crops look good with 100 to 120 bushel per acre yields.
In the rolling plains around Vernon and Wichita Falls area the crop is better with above average yields, Rudd said.
In northeast Texas in the Blacklands it looks really good, he said.
Central Texas is about average, Rudd said.
South Texas had cold temperatures in February, but the wheat survived, and Rudd expects an above average crop in that area.
San Antonio got down to 16 degrees, but the winter wheat is looking good despite the wild weather fluctuations.
Some reports of wheat streak mosaic in the High Plains region but nothing major, he said.
He noted many of the experimental varieties on display at LaHoma were looking good, but the abundant presence of strip rust hurt the crop.
We have to have that disease resistance in the High Plains, Rudd said.
Wheat quality is outstanding in both Texas and Oklahoma, Rudd noted.
We realize our market is international as well as domestic and if it doesn't have superior bread making quality than it is not as good anymore, Rudd said.
It's good to have a better than average crop with decent prices today, Rudd said.
He noted the work on new wheat varieties are similar in Texas and Oklahoma as he praised OSU's Dr. Brett Carver for outstanding work.
You can click on the listen bar below to hear more of KC's interview with Dr. Jackie Rudd.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
