Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma wheat harvest continues to move forward with great progress being made in the Southwest and Central regions of the state. Parts of South Central Oklahoma have been moving slower due to the grain being ready but greener straw.  Producers have been getting a good start in other parts of North Central and Northwest Oklahoma, but in some areas around Helena and Goltry, farmers have been dealing with greener and tougher straw that is still not ready to cut, even though the grain is ready.   Producers have also had to contend with extremely high winds yesterday and today which was making it difficult for cutting, also with major concerns for fire.  In some places, elevators stopped taking grain because fire danger was too high, and local communities had concerns rural fire departments would not be able to keep up if large fires got started. We did see an increase on fires reported yesterday in all regions of the central and western parts of the state. Test weights continue to be phenomenal across the state with some areas in Northwest Oklahoma reporting averages at 64 lbs. to 65 lbs. per bushel.  Yields being reported in central and northern regions of the state are trending higher, with several reports of most fields at least making in the mid 40’s, with a large amount of reports of many fields making in the mid 50’s to mid 60’s, depending on variety, planting date and production practices.  Proteins across the state are ranging across the board from 8.5% to as high as 15.5%.  It is to early for a statewide assessment, but indications are showing we might be looking at a number somewhere in the range of 10.8% to 11.2% for a statewide average. 

Grandfield/Chattanooga-Harvest has been moving along at a fast pace.   Yield reports are ranging from 5 to 25 bushels per acre. In some parts of the Grandfield region, some of the later planted wheat is doing much better with some reporting yields in the mid 40’s, although that is still very rare.  Test weights have ranged from 58 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel, with the average running at 61 lbs. per bushel.  Even though much of the wheat has been put up for hay, some of the later planted wheat with higher yields are going to make the overall grain being hauled in better than what was previously predicted.  At the beginning of harvest the Grandfield location was hoping to take in 1/3 of the wheat that would normally be harvested, but that number has now changed to 1/2.  Proteins are reported to be all over the board ranging from 9% to 13%, with hopes of an 11.5% average.  This region is 92% completed with harvest.

Altus/Hobart/Lone Wolf/Gotebo– Harvest is 75% completed in this region.  Yields are ranging anywhere from 15 to 40 bushels per acre, with more being reported towards the lower numbers. Some of the later planted wheat is doing better, with some reports of an occasional 50 bushels per acre. The test weight average is reported at 61 lbs. per bushel for this entire area. The protein average is reported currently at 11.5%.

Sentinel/Rocky– Harvest has really progressed over the weekend with 80% of the area completed. At both locations, yields are being reported in the low 20’s to mid 30’s. The severe drought, late freeze and heavy hail damage have really impacted what will be harvested. A lot of wheat has already been put up for hay.  Test weights are ranging from 60 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel.  No proteins were reported.

Okarche/Piedmont/Kingfisher/Hennessey– This region has progressed greatly over the weekend and is 80% harvested. Yields have been reported in the upper 30’s to mid 60’s. Test weights have been positive with reports ranging from 62 lbs. to 66 lbs. per bushel.  Proteins are ranging from 9% to 12%, depending on variety and location.

Greenfield- Test weights on the wheat are reported to be ranging from 63 lbs. to 66 lbs. per bushel. The lowest yield reported at this location was 36 bushels per acre. Reports of several fields are making in the high 40’s to mid 60’s, depending on variety and planting date. One 40 acre patch was reported to have made 84 bushels per acre. Proteins have ranged from 9% to 13%.  This region is 65% to 70% completed with harvest.

Goltry/Helena- Some producers cut a couple of the heavier grazed fields earlier this week. Test weights on the earlier cuttings are ranging from 63 lbs. to 65lbs. per bushel with a couple 66 lbs. per bushel being reported.  One field was reported in the mid 40’s.  Producers have now been dealing with greener straw on the better wheat and it has been slowing them down from being able to get into the fields. Farmers were hopeful to get into the fields this afternoon with better chances of drier straw so things can get rolling. Much of the wheat currently looks favorable in this region with predictions of many fields making in the high 40’s to mid 60’s.  No proteins have been reported as of this date.

Kremlin/Pond Creek/Medford/Blackwell- The south end of this region has kicked off with harvest being in full swing.  Producers in the Northern areas are just getting a good start.  The yields being reported for the most part are falling in the mid 40’s to mid 60’s.  Test weights are averaging 62 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel. Proteins are ranging all over the board from 9% to as high as 15%, and it is too early for averages to be reported. Overall this region is 20% harvested.

Burlington- Producers have been cutting in Burlington over the weekend.  Test weights are ranging from 62 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel on average.  Some yields have been reported in the mid 50’s to mid 60’s. One small 80 acre patch was reported to have made 90 bushels per acre on dryland wheat.  Proteins are ranging from 9% to 13%.  This area is considered to be 15% harvested.

Alva/Buffalo– Harvest is just getting started around Alva with four or five producers cutting. Test weights are exceptional, being reported in ranges of 63 lbs. to 67 lbs. per bushel. Only one yield for the region has been reported coming in at 63 bushels per acre.  Proteins are ranging from 9% to 11.5%.  Harvest has not really begun in the Buffalo area, but they are hopeful grain will start being harvested in this area over the weekend.  While nothing has been reported in the Buffalo area, in the Eastern part of the Panhandle much of the wheat currently looks favorable.

Hooker– Harvest continues with the dryland wheat. Yields on the dryland are being reported anywhere from 15 to 25 bushels per acre. Irrigated wheat harvest will hopefully be ready sometime the beginning or middle of next week. The irrigated wheat in the region does look favorable and producers are hopeful for decent irrigated yields. Test weights are ranging from 61 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel.  Proteins are ranging all over the board from 10% to 13%.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Monday, June 15, 2020.