Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Moves Ahead but is Hindered by Rain in Most Regions Over the Weekend – Harvest Report June 22, 2020

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

What is left of Oklahoma wheat harvest has been at a standstill in most places since Thursday night due to rain showers in the North Central and Northwest regions of Oklahoma. Rains have come thru off and on in all these areas the past 5 days, with the exceptions of Northeast Oklahoma in the Afton and Miami regions. Although they received light showers in parts of Northeast Oklahoma early this morning, producers were able to harvest in the Afton and Miami areas over the weekend.  Many of the acres in this region have gone into soybeans and other summer crops, so wheat harvest started and was finished over a period of 3 days. Combines were also slowed in all regions of the Panhandle over the weekend due to light rains on Friday night, but combines are back rolling in the Central Panhandle and Western Panhandle regions today.  Rains in the Eastern region of the Panhandle were heavier and producers will be at a standstill, although much of the wheat is already cut in this area.  Irrigated wheat in the central Panhandle around the Texhoma, Guymon and Hooker regions is ranging from the 60 bushels per acre to 90 bushels per acre depending on planting date, variety and location. Some higher yields have been reported with intensive management, but the severe drought and late freezes seem to have had an impact on both the dryland and irrigated crops. Dryland wheat harvest has finished in that area and with yields not too favorable making in the mid teens to mid 20’s. Proteins in the region from 11.9% to 14.9%.  Test weights on all wheat even with lower yields is still favorable ranging from 60 lbs. to 64 lbs. per bushel.  The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is calling Oklahoma Wheat Harvest 95% completed.

Panhandle

Texhoma/Guymon/Hooker – Much of the dryland wheat in this area has been utilized for other purposes due to the extreme drought conditions. Yields on irrigated wheat are reported at 60 bushels to 90 bushels per acre. Some higher yields over 100 have been reported on fields with intensive management practices.  Test weights are ranging from 61 lbs. to 66 lbs. per bushel. Proteins are ranging from 12% to 14.5%.  Harvest in this area is approximately 80% complete.

Boise CityHarvest is 60% complete.  Producers in this area were hindered from getting in the fields over the weekend due to rain, but combines are moving today.  For the most part, test weights on all wheat are favorable coming in at 60 lbs. to 63 lbs. per bushel. Protein is ranging from 11.0% to 14.9%. Yields on the dryland have been making in the mid teens to mid  20’s. Irrigated wheat is ranging from 50 bushels to 75 bushels per acre.

Northeast Oklahoma

Afton and Miami- Harvest is 99% complete.  Harvest started last Wednesday and producers in this region were able to get everything harvested over a 3 to 4 day period, before rains came into the region early Monday morning. Yields ranged from 20 to 40 bushels per acre and were much lower due to excessive moisture and late freezes.  Few wheat acres were harvested in this region due to producers putting a majority of acres into summer crops. Test weights were extremely favorable ranging from 61 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel even on the Soft Red Winter wheat that was harvested.  Soft Red Winter wheat test weights are usually much lighter but this year they managed to come in just as high as the Hard Red Winter wheat acres.  No proteins were reported. 

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

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About Amanda De Oliveira Silva

I have served as an Assistant Professor and Small Grains Extension Specialist at Oklahoma State University since August 2019. I believe that close interaction with producers is vital to understand their production strategies and to establish realistic research goals. My program focuses on developing science-based information to improve the agronomic and economic viability of small grains production in Oklahoma and in the Southern Great Plains.

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