First hollow stem is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture (full explanation). To monitor first hollow stem, we measure hollow stem for the 56 lines in our September-sown wheat forage plots at Stillwater each year. In spite of the recent cold snap many varieties are progressing towards first hollow stem. The small grains extension crew split ten stems from lines tested in our program today and NF 101 and Brawl CL Plus join the list of varieties at or past first hollow stem. Full results are posted in the table below. We will take another set of measurements later this week and report the results on this blog.

The numbers reported from Stillwater are likely behind those being observed in southern Oklahoma and ahead of those observed in northern Oklahoma. You can check progression of first hollow stem around the state by using the First Hollow Stem Advisor on the Oklahoma Mesonet site.