Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Closer to the Finish Line as Rains Hinder Producers in the Panhandle and Northern Regions

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma wheat harvest made great strides this past week until late Friday evening, early Saturday morning where rains occurred statewide, halting producers in Northern, Oklahoma from finishing.  Harvest is complete in most regions of the state with the majority of wheat left around Enid, North of the HWY 412 corridor and East around the Garber, Tonkawa, Blackwell region along the I-35 corridor. Producers are also finishing up in far Northwest regions of the state around Shattuck and Fort Supply and in the Panhandle regions.  Statewide test weight averages are extremely favorable with most locations reporting 60 lbs./bu. and above.  A few lighter test weights were reported earlier in the season around the Blackwell, Braman region ranging from 58 lbs./bu. to 60 lbs./bu.  In the Panhandle some of the dryland wheat also had lower test weights due to drought stress on the crop, with some lower test weights being noted on irrigated fields where wheat streak mosaic virus was an issue. Test weights on these problem fields reported at 52 lbs./bu. to 56 lbs./bu., but these instances were very limited.  Yields, in most regions, have been favorable ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 60’s depending on variety, location, and management plans.  Some producers with intensive management plans are reporting yields in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s, in parts of Northern Oklahoma. Protein reports are varying across the state with higher protein averages noted overall in Southwest, Oklahoma, ranging from 11.0% to 11.4%.  In Central Oklahoma, protein averages are ranging from 10.5% to 11.1%.  Protein reports across Northern, Oklahoma are ranging across the board from 10.1% to 11.9%.  In the Panhandle region, proteins are being reported higher including the irrigated wheat with a 12.5% average.  Currently we are calling the statewide average in Oklahoma for protein at 11.1%.  Harvest is estimated at 85% complete.

Due to heavy rain showers across the state, this will be the only harvest report from the Oklahoma Wheat Commission for this week, as it is predicted in most places, producers will not be back into the fields until the end of this week. The next Oklahoma harvest report will be published on July 7, 2021.

Below are regions where wheat was taken in prior to Wednesday June 28th, at 12:00 noon CST.

Southern Oklahoma locations reporting to be 99% complete.

Central Oklahoma locations reporting to be 96% complete.

Northern Oklahoma locations reporting to be 85% complete.

Northeastern Oklahoma locations reporting 95% complete.

Oklahoma Panhandle locations reporting 70 to 75% complete.

Northern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Blackwell/Braman- Yields have varied from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s, for the most part. Lower test weights in this region along the I-35 corridor have been ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 58 lbs./bu. on some of the wheat.  In other areas, test weights are ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu.  Some higher yields with intensive management have also been reported in the mid 50’s. A lot of the differences in the crop depended on planting date, management and variety selection.  Harvest in this region is 85% complete.

Deer Creek/ Renfrow/ Medford/ Pond Creek- Harvest made great progress in this region over the past week but was hindered with rains throughout Grant County late Friday night and early Saturday morning.  Test weights have been averaging 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Yields ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s, depending on management. Some highly intensive managed fields reported at making 70+.  Harvest in this region is 70-75% complete.

Goltry/Helena- Producers in this region made great progress over the past week.  Yields reported in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Test weights coming in at 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Harvest in this area reported at 96% complete.

Burlington- Producers made great progress in this area with yields ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s. Some higher yields have been noted in the mid 50’s.  The test weights have been averaging from 62 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this area is 99% complete.

Shattuck/Fort Supply – Producers also made great progress in this region. Yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s. Some higher yields on more intensive management being reported in the mid 50’s.  Test weights being reported at 60 lbs./bu. or higher.  Harvest in this region at 80% complete.

Northeastern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Afton/Miami- Harvest is almost wrapped up in this region. Test weights reported at 60 lbs./bu. or above with yields making in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Some better managed fields making in the mid 60’s. (Note:  This region also grows Soft Red Winter Wheat (SRW) which is marketed to regional bakeries for cake and pastry flours not the traditional Hard Red Winter Wheat (HRW) utilized for bread baking, bread rolls and flat breads). Traditionally SRW wheat will have lower test weights and yields but nothing has been reported below 60 lbs./bu. for the SRW wheats, and yields have also been favorable ranging from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Harvest in this region is 95% complete.

Panhandle Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Goodwell/Guymon/Hooker- Yields have ranged from 10 to 40 bushels per acre on dryland wheat, depending on management and where producers got the rain.  Test weights on the poorer quality wheat ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 58 lbs./bu. with the higher quality yielding wheat weighing 60 lbs./bu. and above.  Proteins in this region are ranging all over the board but will probably be a 12.5 average with some proteins reported as high as 18 on dryland wheat.   Producers have also started making great progress on the irrigated wheat within this region. Test weights on most irrigated wheat is coming in at 62 lbs./bu. to 65 lbs./bu. except where minor instances of wheat streak mosaic virus caused damage in the fields. Yields are being reported from the mid 70’s to around 110 bushels per acre depending on location and management for the irrigated wheat.  Proteins continue to also be favorable on irrigated wheat with at 12.5% average being reported.  Harvest in this region reported at 70 to 75% complete.

Enclosed, see the 24-Hour and 4-day rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

Due to the rainfall received over the weekend and predicted this week, the next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Wednesday, July 7, 2021. A regional harvest report and crop update will be made available and published on Friday, July 2, 2021, made possible by Plains Grains Inc.

Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Moving Ahead Amid Light Rain Showers Across the State Earlier in the Week

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma Wheat harvest continues across the state in all regions today. Rain showers early Monday morning thru mid-morning hindered harvest progress on Monday and Tuesday in several parts of Northern Oklahoma while other regions had lighter amounts and were able to get back into the fields yesterday.  Producers in areas of Northern Oklahoma are just getting back to the fields this afternoon up by Kremlin and in other parts of Grant County.  Producers are just starting with cuttings of irrigated wheat in the Panhandle regions, but no reports have been made currently. Early cuttings on the crop taken after the rains this week are not showing any signs of major test weight loss or yield loss.  Overall crop quality continues to be favorable with test weight and yield reports. Statewide test weight averages are extremely favorable with most reporting 60 lbs./bu. and above.  A few lighter test weights have been reported in the Blackwell, Braman region on the I-35 corridor and on some of the dry-land wheat in the Panhandle.  In the Panhandle the lighter test weights have been due to crop stress with drought depending on location.  Lighter test weights in these regions reported as low as 56 lbs./bu. although those instances are far and few between.   Yields, in most all regions, have been favorable ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 60’s depending on variety, location and management plans.  Some producers with intensive management programs are reporting yields in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s in parts of Northern Oklahoma.  Protein reports across the state are varying, with wide ranges in Southwest Oklahoma.  For the most part, we are hearing regional averages of 11.0% to 11.4%; although some lower numbers have been reported in Tillman County to be in the 10% range.  In Central Oklahoma we are seeing slightly lower proteins in the 10.5% to 11.1% range.  Early reports on protein in Northern Oklahoma are ranging across the board, with higher numbers being reported in the Northwestern corridor where we had less rain from the Helena, Ringwood, Cherokee and Alva regions earlier in the year. Averages along this corridor coming in at 11.1% to 11.2%.  East of Enid and North we are seeing protein numbers vary across the board from 10.1% to 11.8%.  Some numbers as high as 14% being reported in Grant County, based on variety and producer management. Some elevators in the Panhandle reporting dryland wheat proteins to be as high as 17. Currently we are calling the statewide average in Oklahoma for protein at 11.1% Harvest is estimated at 65% complete.

Below are regions where wheat has been taken in prior to Wednesday June 23, at 3:00 p.m. CST.

Southern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Grandfield/Devol/Lawton- Test weights continue to be favorable in this region with a 62 lbs./bu. average.  Yields currently being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s, some fields with intensive management have been reported in the mid 50’s.  This area is 95% complete.

Altus- Harvest was slowed in this region early last week, with combines back in the field last Wednesday and over the weekend.  Light rains, once again, have hindered harvest progress on what is left but producers were able to get back into fields yesterday.  Test weights to this point still ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 62 lbs./bu. with yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s.  Some fields with intensive management have been reported making in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s.  Harvest is 95% complete.

Frederick/Chattanooga- Test weights are ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 61 lbs./bu.  Yields in this area making in the low to mid 40’s for the most part. Rains have hindered this area more than other parts of Southern Oklahoma.  As of today harvest is 98% complete.

Lone Wolf/Hobart- Wheat harvest continues in this region. Test weights averaging 61 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. Yields being reported from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on location and management.   Yields have been better around the Hobart area, due to more moisture received in this region throughout the growing season.  Harvest in this region is 95% complete.

Roosevelt- Yields across the board in this region being reported in the mid 40’s.  The test weights in this region ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 62 lbs./bu. Harvest in this region is 85% complete.

Sentinel/Rocky- Harvest has made great progress in this region over the past few days.  Yields are being reported as favorable making in the upper 30’s to mid 40’s.  Fields with more intense management in both locations have been reported in the mid 60’s. Test weight on the wheat is ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this region is 95% complete.

Central Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Hinton/Okarche- Yields in these regions being reported in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s for the most part, depending on management practices.  Some fields with intensive management making in the mid 60’s. Test weight average for this region is 62.5 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this region is 97% complete.

Reeding/Kingfisher/Omega/Greenfield- Yields in this region have been favorable up to this point. Yields for the most part are ranging from the mid to low 40’s. Test weights have been ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu. Harvest in this region for all locations is 90% complete.

Northern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Blackwell/Braman- Yields have varied from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s, for the most part. Lower test weights in this region along the I-35 corridor have been ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 58 lbs./bu. on some of the wheat.  In other parts test weights are ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. Some higher yields with intensive management have also been reported in the mid 50’s. A lot of the differences in the crop depended on planting date, management and variety selection. Harvest in this region for all locations is 57% complete.

Deer Creek/ Renfrow/ Medford/ Pond Creek- Harvest made great progress in this region over the past week, but was hindered with rains throughout Grant County late Sunday night and early Monday morning.  Test weights have been averaging 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Yields ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s, depending on management. Some highly intensive managed fields reported at making 70+.  Harvest in this region is 55% complete.

Goltry/Helena- Producers in this region made great progress over the past week, until scattered showers arrived late Sunday night and early Monday morning.  Yields reported in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Test weights coming in at 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Harvest in this area reported at 80% complete.

Burlington- Producers continue to make progress in this area with yields ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s. Some higher yields have been noted in the mid 50’s.  The test weights have been averaging from 62 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this area is 95% completed.

Alva – Producers have made great progress with harvest in this area over the past week until the rains received Sunday and early Monday morning. Yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s. Some higher yields on more intensive management being reported in the mid 50’s.  Test weights being reported at 60 lbs./bu. or higher.  Harvest in this region reported at 90% complete.

Northeastern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Afton/Miami- Harvest started last week in this region and is moving along at a steady pace. Test weights reported at 60 lbs./bu. or above. Yields reported making in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Some better managed fields making in the mid 60’s. (Note:  This region also grows Soft Red Winter Wheat (SRW) which is marketed to regional bakeries for cake and pastry flours not the traditional Hard Red Winter Wheat (HRW) utilized for bread baking, bread rolls and flat breads.) Traditionally SRW wheat will have lower test weights and yields but nothing has been reported below 60 lbs./bu. for the SRW wheats, and yields have also been favorable ranging from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Harvest in this region is 80% complete.

Panhandle Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Guymon/Hooker-  Yields have ranged from 10 to 40 bushels per acre on dryland wheat, depending on management and where producers got the rain.  Test weights on the poorer quality wheat ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 58 lbs./bu. On the higher quality yielding wheat weighing 60 lbs./bu. and above.  Proteins in this region are ranging all over the board but will probably be a 12.5 average. Some proteins as high as 18 have been reported on dryland wheat.   We have also had reports of early test cuttings of irrigated wheat being taken at both Guymon and Hooker, but no yield data or information was available at the time of this report on those early cuttings.

Enclosed, see the 24-Hour and 4 day rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Monday, June 28, 2021.  A regional harvest report and crop update will be made available and published on Friday, June 25, 2021, made possible by Plains Grains Inc.

Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Made Great Strides, Hindered by Light Rains and Cooler Temperatures

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma Wheat harvest continues to move along in all regions of the state.  While producers are wrapping up in most parts of Southern and Central Oklahoma, great strides have also been made in Northern, Oklahoma this past week until rains came thru early Monday morning. Light showers also moved across the state in most regions, with cooler temperatures and light precipitation even in parts of Southern Oklahoma. (Lows for today were ranging from 56 degrees to 62 degrees in the Oklahoma wheat belt, certainly unusual and could even break records for this time of year.)   Overall crop quality continues to be favorable with test weight and yield reports. Statewide test weight averages are extremely favorable with most reporting 60 lbs./bu. and above. A few lighter test weights have been reported in the Blackwell, Braman region on the I-35 corridor, and on some of the dry-land wheat in the Panhandle.  In the Panhandle the lighter test weights have been due to crop stress with drought depending on location.  Lighter test weights in these regions reported as low as 56 lbs./bu although those instances are far and few between. Yields in most all regions have been favorable ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 60’s depending on variety, location and management plans.  Some producers with intensive management programs are reporting yields in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s in parts of Northern, Oklahoma.  Protein reports across the state are varying, with wide ranges in Southwest Oklahoma.  For the most part we are hearing regional averages of 11.0% to 11.4%; although some lower numbers have been reported in Tillman County to be in the 10% range.  In Central Oklahoma we are seeing slightly lower proteins in the 10.5% to 11.1% range.  Early reports on protein in Northern Oklahoma are ranging across the board with higher numbers being reported in the Northwestern corridor where we had less rain from the Helena, Ringwood, Cherokee and Alva regions earlier in the year. Averages along this corridor coming in at 11.1% to 11.2%.  East of Enid and North we are seeing protein numbers vary across the board from 10.1% to 11.8%.  Some numbers as high as 14% being reported in Grant County, based on variety and producer management. Some elevators in the Panhandle reporting dryland wheat proteins to be as high as 17. Currently we are calling the statewide average in Oklahoma for protein at 11.1%. Harvest is estimated at 55% complete.

Below are regions where wheat has been taken in prior to Monday June 21, at 4:00  CST.

Southern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Grandfield/Devol/Lawton- Test weights continue to be favorable in this region with a 62 lbs./bu. average.  Yields currently being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s, some fields with intensive management have been reported in the mid 50’s.  This area is 90% complete.

Altus- Harvest was slowed in this region early last week, with combines back in the field last Wednesday and over the weekend.  Light rains once again have hindered harvest progress on what is left.  Test weights to this point still ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 62 lbs./bu. with yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s.  Some fields with intensive management have been reported making in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s.  Harvest is 90% complete.

Frederick/Chattanooga- Test weights are ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 61 lbs./bu.  Yields in this area making in the low to mid 40’s for the most part. Rains have hindered this area more than other parts of Southern Oklahoma but as of today harvest is 95% to 97% complete.

Lone Wolf/Hobart- Wheat harvest continues in this region. Test weights averaging 61 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. Yields being reported from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on location and management. Yields have been better around the Hobart area, due to more moisture received in this region throughout the growing season.  Harvest in this region is 90% complete.

Roosevelt- Yields across the board in this region being reported in the mid 40’s. The test weights in this region ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 62 lbs./bu. Harvest in this region is 70% complete.

Sentinel/Rocky- Harvest has made great progress in this region over the past few days. Yields are being reported as favorable making in the upper 30’s to mid 40’s. Fields with more intense management in both locations have been reported in the mid 60’s. Test weight on the wheat is ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this region is 80% to 85% complete.

Central Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Hinton/Okarche- Yields in these regions being reported in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s for the most part, depending on management practices. Some fields with intensive management making in the mid 60’s. Test weight average for this region is 62.5 lbs./bu.

Reeding/Kingfisher/Omega/Greenfield- Yields in this region have been favorable up to this point. Yields for the most part are ranging from the mid to low 40’s. Test weights have been ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu. Harvest in this region for all locations is 85% complete.

Northern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Blackwell/Braman- Yields have varied from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s, for the most part. Lower test weights in this region along the I-35 corridor have been ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 58 lbs./bu. on some of the wheat.  In other parts test weights are ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. Some higher yields with intensive management have also been reported in the mid 50’s. A lot of the differences in the crop depended on planting date, management and variety selection. Harvest in this region for all locations is 50% complete.

Deer Creek/ Renfrow/ Medford/ Pond Creek- Harvest made great progress in this region over the past week, but was hindered with rains throughout Grant County late Sunday night and early Monday morning.  At the time of this report many regions received ½ inch to 1 inch of moisture. Test weights have been averaging 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Yields ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s, depending on management. Some highly intensive managed fields reported at making 70+.  Harvest in this region is 50% complete.

Goltry/Helena- Producers in this region made great progress over the past week, until scattered showers arrived late Sunday night and early Monday morning.  Some parts in this region reporting ½ inch to 1 inch of moisture depending on location.  Yields reported in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Test weights coming in at 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Harvest in this area reported at 75% complete.

Burlington- Producers continue to make progress in this area with yields ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s. Some higher yields have been noted in the mid 50’s. The test weights have been averaging from 62 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this area is 90% completed.

Alva – Producers have made great progress with harvest in this area over the past week until the rains received Sunday and early this morning. Yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s. Some higher yields on more intensive management being reported in the mid 50’s.  Test weights being reported at 60 lbs./bu. or higher.  Harvest in this region reported at 80% complete.

Northeastern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Afton/Miami- Harvest started last week in this region and is moving along at a steady pace. Test weights reported at 60 lbs./bu. or above. Yields reported making in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Some better managed fields making in the mid 60’s. (Note:  This region also grows Soft Red Winter Wheat (SRW) which is marketed to regional bakeries for cake and pastry flours not the traditional Hard Red Winter Wheat (HRW) utilized for bread baking, bread rolls and flat breads.) Traditionally SRW wheat will have lower test weights and yields but nothing has been reported below 60 lbs./bu. for the SRW wheats, and yields have also been favorable ranging from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Harvest in this region is 65% complete.

Panhandle Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Guymon/Hooker- Harvest just started rolling late last week on dryland wheat in this region. Yields have ranged from 10 to 40 bushels per acre, depending on management and where producers got the rain.  Test weights on the poorer quality wheat ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 58 lbs./bu. On the higher quality yielding wheat weighing 60 lbs./bu. and above. No irrigated wheat has been reported as being harvested and is still most likely a week off.  Proteins in this region are ranging all over the board but will probably be a 12.5 average, some proteins as high as 18 have been reported.

Enclosed, see the 24-Hour and 4 day rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Wednesday, June 23, 2021. 

Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Continues to Move Full Speed Ahead

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Wheat harvest continues to make great progress in Southern and Central Oklahoma. Producers along the 412 Hwy corridor, in Northern Oklahoma, are just getting a good start.  Custom harvesting crews are trying to finalize cuttings in Southern and Central Oklahoma and this has impacted some producers getting fields harvested in Northern regions, but with the open weather that most likely is going to change in the next couple days.  Overall crop quality continues to be favorable with test weight and yield reports. Statewide nothing has been reported below 60 lbs./bu., until today and we are seeing some lower test weights being reported east of Enid and in regions North of Blackwell and Braman on the I-35 corridor.  Yields in most all regions have been favorable ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 60’s depending on variety, location and management plans.  Some producers with intensive management programs are reporting yields in the mid 70’s to mid 80’s in parts of Northern, Oklahoma.  Protein reports across the state are varying, with wide ranges, in Southwest, Oklahoma.  For the most part we are hearing regional averages of 11.2% to 11.6%, although some lower numbers have been reported in Tillman County to be in the 10% range.  In Central, Oklahoma we are seeing slightly lower proteins in the 10.5% to 11.1% range.  Early reports on protein in Northern, Oklahoma, are ranging across the board with higher numbers being reported around the Ringwood, Cherokee & Burlington regions. Averages along this corridor coming in at 11.1% to 11.2%.  East of Enid and North we are seeing protein numbers vary across the board from 10.1% to 11.8%.  Some numbers as high as 14% have been reported although that is few and far between. Currently we are calling the statewide average in Oklahoma for protein at 11.2%.

Below are regions where wheat has been taken in prior to Wednesday June 16, at 3:00  CST.

Southwest Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Grandfield/Devol/Lawton- Test weights have still been holding up even though light rains have occurred, prior to producers getting back into fields.  This region has a 62 lbs./bu average.  Yields currently being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s, some fields with intensive management have been reported in the mid 50’s.  This area is being reported at 65% to 70% completed.

Altus- Harvest was slowed due to rains late last week and over the weekend. Test weights to this point still ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 62 lbs./bu. with yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s.  Some fields with intensive management have been reported making in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s.  Harvest is 55% complete.

Frederick/Chattanooga- Test weights are still holding up in Tillman County even with the later rains received last week that have hindered harvest.  Test weights are ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 61 lbs./bu.  Yields in this area making in the low to mid 40’s for the most part. Harvest just a little over 50% complete.

Lone Wolf/Hobart- Wheat harvest continues in this region. Test weights averaging 61 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. Yields being reported from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on location and management. Yields have been better around the Hobart area, due to more moisture received in this region throughout the growing season.  Harvest in this region is 75% complete.

Apache- Yields across the board in this region being reported in the mid 40’s.  The test weight average for this location is 62.5 lbs./bu.  Protein average for this location is 11.5%. Harvest in this region is 25% to 30% complete.

Sentinel/Rocky- Harvest has made great progress in this region over the past few days.  Yields are being reported as favorable making in the upper 30’s to mid 40’s.  Fields with more intense management in both locations have been reported in the mid 60’s. Test weight on the wheat is ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this region is 50% complete.

Central Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Reeding/Kingfisher/Omega/Greenfield- Yields in this region have been favorable up to this point. Harvest has been moving forward in this area for the past week, but it has been slower with the scattered showers and high humidity.  Yields for the most part are ranging from the mid to low 40’s.   Test weights have been ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu. Harvest in the Eastern part of this region is 55% to 60% complete. Harvest in the Western part of this region is 40% complete.

Northern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Blackwell/Braman- Harvest is just getting started. Yields have varied from the mid 30’s to the mid 50’s for the most part on early cuttings.  Lower test weights in this region along the I-35 corridor have been ranging from 56 lbs./bu. to 60 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this region is 5% to 7% complete.

Deer Creek/ Renfrow/ Medford/ Pond Creek- Harvest is just getting started in this region of Grant County.  Test weights have been averaging 60 lbs./bu. or above.  Yields ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s, depending on management. Some highly intensive managed fields reported at making 70+.  Protein in this region is ranging from 10% to 13%.  Harvest in this region is 10% complete.

Kremlin- Yields for the most part have been favorable in the mid 40’s to mid 50’s depending on management.  Some yields have been noted at 70+.  Test weights are ranging from 61 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Protein is 11.8% for this area.  Harvest in this region is 10% complete.

Cherokee- Harvest is moving along in this region. Test weights have averaged 63 lbs./bu. to 65 lbs./bu. Yields are being reported in the mid 40’s with some higher yields being reported on fields with intensive management making 70+.  Protein average for this region is coming in at 11.2%.  Harvest in this region is 20% to 25% complete.

Burlington- Producers continue to make progress in this area with yields ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s. Some higher yields have been noted in the mid 50’s.  The test weight average has been from 60.5 lbs./bu. to 61.5 lbs./bu.  No protein was reported.  Harvest in this area is 35% completed.

Alva/Selman/Buffalo- Harvest is starting to move along in this region, but has been slower around the Buffalo area.  Yields are ranging in the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on management practices. Harvest is less than 10% complete for this area.

Shattuck/Fort Supply- Harvest has started picking up in the Shattuck region and is just getting started in the Fort Supply area.  Early yields are reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s, although yields seem to be lower South of Shattuck due to less moisture.   Test weights are ranging from 62lbs./bu. to 63lbs./bu.  Harvest in Shattuck is 10% complete and is 5% complete around the Fort Supply area.

Enclosed, see the 4 day and 24-Hour rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Monday, June 21, 2021.  A regional harvest report and crop update will be made available and published on Friday, June 18, 2021.

Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Taking Place from Oklahoma/Texas Border to Oklahoma/Kansas State Line

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Southwest & Central Oklahoma

Wheat harvest continues to roll along in week 2. While great progress has been made in regions of Southwest, Oklahoma, some areas have had light rains over the weekend which has put harvest on hold.  In the Altus region heavier rains were reported and will delay producers from getting back into the fields for the next couple days.  Other parts of Southwest, Oklahoma have had light showers, while producers have not had to fight mud in most places, the light rains and high humidity levels have created delays with late starts on most days.  In South Central Oklahoma, around Minco/Tuttle, and in North Central Oklahoma around Goltry producers over the weekend had light rains which have delayed harvest progress from really getting started in those regions.  Overall crop quality continues to be favorable with test weight and yield reports. Statewide nothing has been reported below 60 lbs./bu. Yields in most all regions have been favorable ranging from the mid 30’s to mid 60’s depending on variety, location and management plans.  A lot of yields across the state are reported in the low 40’s. We are seeing lower yields once you get west of Lone Wolf and Cordell, due to more intense drought situations that producers have been dealing with in that region all year. In the Southwest region proteins being reported are still in a favorable range of 11.5 percent.  Harvest in many parts of this region are 50% to 60% completed, while in other parts some locations are reporting 20% to 30% completed.

Northern Oklahoma

The regions North of 412 Hwy from the Helena to Garber area, harvest is just getting started as several producers were able to start with test cutting over the weekend.  Early indications from this region North in most places it is estimated that yields will be decent and mirror much of what we saw last year, with ranges from the mid 40’s to mid 60’s; although in some places lack of moisture during this spring seem to have impacted the crop especially around the Cherokee, Burlington and Alva regions.  It is too early to report an accurate protein number on the crop that is being harvest in Central and Northern, Oklahoma, it looks like this also is going to mirror what we saw last year, with high pocket regions, and some areas that will be lower.

Below are regions where wheat has been taken in prior to Monday June 14, at 12:00 noon CST.

Southwest Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Duke- Harvest is progressing in this region. Yields have been ranging in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s. Test weights averaging 62 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. per bushel.  Harvest in this region is 60% complete.

Altus- Harvest was successful in this region prior to heavy rains received over the weekend.  This region received 1.4 to 1.9 inches of moisture over the weekend and harvest will be at a standstill most likely the next couple days.   Test weights to this point ranging from 61 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. with yields being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s for the most part.  Harvest 50% to 60% complete.

Lone Wolf/Hobart- Wheat harvest continues in this region. Test weights averaging 61 lbs./bu. to 63 lbs./bu. Yields being reported from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on location and management.   Yields have been better around the Hobart area, due to more moisture received in this region throughout the growing season.  Harvest in this region is 55% complete.

Roosevelt- Harvest in this region has been slower this year due to several untimely rains and high humidity days.  Yields on the wheat in this region have been more favorable than other areas of Southwest, Oklahoma, due to more moisture throughout the growing season.  Yields are being reported in the high 30’s to low 50’s.  Test weights are being reported at 61 lbs./bu. to 62 lbs./bu. per bushel.  Harvest in this region is 30% complete.

Sentinel/Rocky- Light rain showers and high humidity throughout the week have hindered harvest from getting into full swing.  Custom cutters have been slower to arrive in the region due to harvest still going on in the Central/Northern Texas regions and other parts of Southwest, Oklahoma.  Yields are being reported as favorable making in the upper 30’s to mid 40’s on early cuttings. Test weight on the wheat is ranging from 62lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu.  Harvest in this region is 20% complete.

Central Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Reeding/Kingfisher/Omega- Yields in this region have been favorable up to this point in time. Harvest has been moving forward in this area for the past week, but it has been slower going with the scattered showers and high humidity.  Yields for the most part are ranging from the mid to low 40’s. One yield was reported to make above 75 bushels per acre on a field with intensive management North of Kingfisher. Test weights have been ranging from 60 lbs./bu. to 64 lbs./bu. Harvest in this region will have a more accurate field count on Wednesday, but right now we are calling the area 35% to 40% harvested.

Northern Oklahoma Locations Reporting

Perry/Tonkawa/Blackwell/Braman- These four locations took in a few truck loads each over the weekend.  No yields for the region have been reported, but test weights are ranging from 61 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel.  No protein has been reported on early cuttings.  Yields are expected to be favorable.

Goltry/Helena- Only a couple of loads were taken in at these locations over the weekend, as the crop was not fully ripe and light rains also hindered progress.   Producers were hopeful to get into the field around Goltry and Helena later today.  Early loads indicate strong test weights and decent yields.

Cherokee- Harvest started on Friday and has been picking up over the weekend. Test weights have ranged from 60 lbs./bu. to 65lbs./bu.  Yields are being reported in the mid 40’s with some higher yields being reported on fields with intensive management.  Proteins have ranged from all over the board in this region from 10% to 12.8%.  This location is hoping for an 11% to 11.5% average.

Burlington- Harvest started on Friday and they are hopeful the region will make great progress over this coming week.  Early reports showing a lot of yields ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 40’s.  The test weight average has been from 60.5 lbs./bu. to 61.5 lbs./bu.  No protein was reported.

Alva/Selman/Buffalo- Harvest is just getting ready to start in this region.  A little wheat was taken in at Selman and Alva over the weekend, with one truck reported at Buffalo. Test weights and yields look to be favorable but nothing was reported on early cuttings.

Shattuck- Harvest is just getting started in this region.  No yields have been reported, however on the two truck loads of wheat harvested over the weekend, the test weight was 64 lbs./bu.

Enclosed, see the 4 day and 24-Hour rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Wednesday, June 16, 2021. 

Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Moving Forward in Most Parts of Southern Oklahoma, Producers in Central Regions Hoping to Start Soon

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

The 2021 wheat harvest is on the move in most areas of Southwest, Oklahoma.  Some places around the Frederick region have been slowed due to heavier rains, but producers are hopeful they will start getting back in fields later tonight or tomorrow.  A large portion of Tillman County received ½ to 3 ½ inches of rain late Sunday evening and early Monday morning.  In other parts of Comanche and Cotton counties where harvest has resumed, test weights have dropped slightly but are still favorable coming in at 60 lbs./bu. or higher.  Other regions in Kiowa, Washita, and Caddo counties are also reporting extremely favorable test weights ranging from 62 to 63 lbs/bu. for the most part with a few being reported as high as 65.5 lbs./bu. Yields in most regions where harvest is being reported are coming in favorable across Southwest Oklahoma.  They are ranging from the mid 30’s to the mid 60’s depending on climate, rainfall and management systems.  We have had a report of one load of wheat being taken in at Clinton and harvest has also started with wheat being taken in at Sentinel, Rocky, Cordell and Apache. Producers have been test cutting East of Okarche and South of Kingfisher where harvest usually leap frogs over Grady and Canadian counties, but as of today, moisture ranges on test cuttings have been reported at 15.5% to 17.4% in the Kingfisher/Canadian county region.  With the predicted forecast of warmer temperatures, producers are hoping they will get into the fields in this area late this afternoon.  Proteins being reported in Southwest, Oklahoma are varying depending on locations, environment and producer management. Regional averages from Southern Oklahoma are currently holding steady at 11.3% to 11.6% based off early reports.

Below are regions where wheat has been taken in prior to Wednesday, June 9, at 12:00 noon CST.

Grandfield/Devol- Harvest was successful this past weekend and combines have started back up in these locations after the rains earlier in the week.  Test weights have dropped from earlier reports last weekend but still are coming in at 60 to 61 lbs./bu.  Yields being reported in the mid 30’s to the mid 50’s.

Frederick/Chattanooga- Harvest was successful this past weekend until heavy rains on Sunday and Monday morning took place.  Producers are hopeful they will get back into the fields around Chattanooga later this afternoon.  The Frederick region, is hopeful harvest will get moving at full speed tomorrow.  Test weights in this region before the rains were being reported at 60 to 62 lbs./bu., with more data available on the next report.  Yields were being reported as favorable in the mid 30’s to mid 40’s for the most part, with some higher yields in the mid 50’s noted.

Altus/Duke- Harvest was successful in this region over the weekend, while light moisture and humidity slowed harvest around Altus.  Producers around Duke have been able to continue cutting and harvest in the Altus area now is moving full speed ahead.  Test weights are coming in higher than some of the earlier harvested wheat, with reports now showing 62 to 64 lbs./bu.  Yields being reported from high 30’s to mid 60’s depending on management systems.

Lone Wolf/Hobart-Wheat harvest continues in this region, as the lighter rains did not delay progress much this week.  Test weights averaging 61 to 63 lbs./bu. Yields being reported from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on location and management.

Roosevelt- Some wheat was taken in over the weekend at this location, but harvest has been at a standstill due to the heavier rains they received earlier in the week.  Early test weights were favorable at 61 to 63 lbs./bu., no yields were reported. Producers are hopeful they will get back into the fields tomorrow.

Sentinel/Rocky/Cordell-Test weights being reported around Sentinel on early cuttings are ranging from 60 to 62 lbs./bu.  Test weights on early cuttings around the Rocky and Cordell regions are ranging from 62 to 65 lbs./bu.  Yields are being reported in the mid 30’s to mid 60’s depending on management and if the wheat was grazed.

Apache- Apache received three loads this morning on first cuttings, test weights on each load were reported at 60lbs./bu. or higher.  No yields were yet reported from this region.

Enclosed, see the 4 day and 24-Hour rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Monday, June 14, 2021.  A regional harvest report and crop update will be made available and published on Friday, June 11, 2021.

Wheat Disease Update – 9 June 2021

This article was written by Bob Hunger, Extension Wheat Pathologist

      During the last two days there have been a couple reports of dark wheat heads being observed in fields.  This is a condition call sooty mold (aka black head mold) (Figure 1). These dark heads are the result of saprophytic (living of dead tissue) or weakly pathogenic fungi growing on the dead tissue in wheat heads.  Reports of this have come from Greg Highfill (Alfalfa County Extension Educator in north central OK) and from Brad Secraw (Cleveland County Extension Educator in central OK).  Additionally, I have observed severe sooty mold in some of the trials around Stillwater.

      Sooty mold occurs when wheat has turned but cannot be harvested in a timely manner.  Wet/humid conditions during a delayed harvest will then promote the fungal growth on wheat heads.  Often wheat that has been subjected to a stress such as freeze, root rot, or drought shows a greater severity of sooty mold than if the wheat had been healthy and not stressed.  This is the case in the top photo in Figure 1.  The darker strips of wheat with sooty mold are the variety Pete, which was hit hard by the late freeze in April.  The lighter, more golden colored heads with much less sooty mold are lines in one of Dr. Carver’s nurseries.  These breeder lines were not nearly as affected by the freeze as was the Pete.  Although grain yield from wheat with sooty mold often is reduced, the sooty mold itself is not the primary cause of that reduce yield.  Rather, it was the stress such as a freeze or root rot that was the primary cause of the reduced yield. 

Figure 1. A field view of sooty mold (black head mold) on wheat at Stillwater, OK on June 9, 2021 (top photo). Note the darker appearance of the wheat heads in the alternating long, solid strips of wheat compared to lighter, more golden colored heads in the middle strip. The bottom two photos show wheat heads with sooty mold. [Photo credits bottom two photos – Left photo; Greg Highfill (Extn Educator, Alfalfa County); photo on right; Brad Secraw (Extn Educator, Cleveland County)].

One additional point to be made is that grain harvested from wheat with severe sooty mold may show a condition known as black point (Figure 2).  Black point is a discoloration of the seed (typically the germ end of the seed) resulting either from infection by various fungi that typically are saprophytic but can occasionally parasitize living tissue, or from a combination of abiotic (environmental) conditions that promote the discoloration without the presence of an organism.  Like sooty mold, black point often is observed when freeze damage has occurred or when harvest was delayed and dead tissue in the heads was heavily colonized by fungi that resulted in sooty mold.  Black point in wheat grain can be a grading factor as the discoloration can result in black flecks in flour milled from such grain.  Additionally, if used as seed wheat, kernels with black point can have reduce germination resulting in lower seedling emergence.  Hence, if wheat showing black point is to be used as seed wheat, it is imperative to check the germination of that seed and to use a seed treatment that controls seed and seedling rots.

Figure 2. Wheat kernels with black point. The wheat kernels to the left and right show typical black point. The kernel in the middle is healthy. Ignore the reddish-pink color in the outer kernels as this is from an applied seed treatment.

FINALLY – This likely will be my (Dr. Bob Hunger) last Wheat Disease update as my last day of work is July 9th.  It has truly been a pleasure to send these updates!! I hope all of you have a great harvest this year and even better ones in the future!!!

Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Begins for the 2021 Season, Amid Cooler Temperatures and Heavy Moisture

Courtesy Oklahoma Wheat Commission

The 2021 wheat harvest has begun with several locations in Southwest, Oklahoma, reporting a successful weekend for grain being received.  The following counties that received grain in elevator locations were Harmon, Jackson, Tillman, Cotton, Comanche, Kiowa and Greer.  A few reports of sample loads being accepted in Frederick on Saturday, May 29th. Rain showers across Southwestern, Oklahoma, over the Memorial Day weekend hindered producers from making any progress over this past week until Saturday, June 5th.  During this period, cooler temperatures, cloud cover and high moisture levels on the grain have slowed progress on harvesting the crop.   Traditionally combines are rolling in Southwest, Oklahoma Memorial Day weekend or before, but unseasonable cool temperatures and rain has delayed the crop maturing.  High quality and favorable test weights have been noted so far.   Rains across Southwest, Oklahoma, late last night and early this morning have put harvest on standstill again in several regions, while in other areas producers hope to get rolling again later this afternoon, west of Tillman and Kiowa counties.  In a large area of Tillman county, producers are reporting 3 to 5 inch rains last night, which will delay harvest another 4 to 5 days.  Regions of Cotton and Comanche county locations received 1/10th to 2.5 inches of moisture depending on location.

Overall early wheat that has been harvested in Southwest, Oklahoma, indicates strong quality and decent yields. Yields reported varied depending on locations and producer management.  Test weights are averaging 60 lbs./bu. or higher.  While it is premature to report on protein, early numbers are ranging between 11 and 12 percent.

Grandfield/Devol- Harvest started over the weekend, although moisture last night will make it a late start today. More moisture was reported around Grandfield with less rain in the Devol area where combines will likely start up again.   Test weights for this region being reported at 60 +.  Yields around Grandfield and Devol have been favorable ranging from 40 to 50 bushels per acre.   One field has been reported at 70 bushels per acre.

Frederick/Chattanooga- The past two days have been successful for harvest in this region, but heavy rains last night across Tillman County is going to hinder harvest most likely another 4 to 5 days depending on the location.  Three to five inch rains from elevator managers in this region being reported today.  Areas of heavy rain did not report on Mesonet due to the nature of pop- up storms. Test weights ranging from 60 to 61 lbs./bu. Yields in this region not being reported as favorable as Comanche County but still ranging from the high 30’s on heavily grazed wheat to the mid 40’s on early cuttings.

Altus/Duke- Harvest was successful in this region over the weekend, while light moisture and humidity will most likely hinder harvest in Altus.  Little rain was received out at Duke so producers are hopeful combines in this area as well as in Harmon and Greer Counties will move later today. Note: much of the wheat in Harmon and Greer counties was cut for hay due to the excessive ongoing drought in this region.  Test weights in this area being reported at 61 to 62 lbs./bu.  Yields being reported from high 30’s to mid 60’s on fields with extremely progressive management systems.

Lone Wolf/Hobart-Producers also had success with harvesting in this region over the past two days.  Light rains and higher humidity will likely hinder an early start to harvest today in most places, certain regions may be delayed longer from getting into the fields in Kiowa county.  Test weights in this region averaging 62.4 lbs./bu. Yields being reported from the mid 30’s to mid 50’s depending on location and management.

Sentinel/Rocky- While it was close to starting this weekend at these locations, light rains today will most likely hinder harvest another couple days in this area.  No wheat was reported as taken in at these locations over the weekend.

Enclosed, see the 14-Day and 12-Hour rainfall accumulation maps with the 7-day weather forecast for Oklahoma.

The next harvest report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission will be published Wednesday, June 9, 2021.