Category Archives: harvest

Harvest Starts Rolling Again in Most Regions of the State

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By: The Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma wheat harvest just got started again late yesterday afternoon and last night in most regions, with a lot of test cutting going on in Northern Oklahoma.   Producers in all regions of the state are hopeful to get moving today. Harvest will be moving from the Oklahoma/Texas border to the Oklahoma/Kansas border. The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is calling wheat harvest for the state 25% complete.

Southwest and Western Oklahoma

Grandfield/Chattanooga/Lawton- This region has been plagued by heavy rains this past week.   Areas around Chattanooga received 4 to 5 inches of moisture while Grandfield and Lawton also received 1 inch to 1 ½ inches of moisture.  Test weight has dropped slightly in all regions with some weights now coming in at 58lbs. to 59lbs. per bushel. Yields are still favorable ranging from the low 40’s to low 50’s. Protein averages being reported from 10.5% to 12%, with overall average at 11.0% to 11.2%. These locations reporting 60 percent complete.

Southwest and Western Oklahoma

Altus/Roosevelt/Lone Wolf/Hobart- Wheat harvest in this region has been slowed by rains and high humidity days early in the week, but in most of these locations harvest got rolling again yesterday.   Test weights have dropped slightly this week but this region still holding 61lb. to 62lb. test weight averages depending on location. Yields reported as ranging from the low 40’s to mid 50’s.  Some higher intensively managed wheat making in the low 60’s to low 70’s.  Proteins in the region ranging from 9% to 14%.  Protein average for the region coming in at 11.5%.  These locations reporting 30 to 35 percent complete.

Apache- Harvest has been slower to start in this region with the on and off rains the past two weeks. Before the rains test weights were 61lbs. to 63lbs. per bushel.  Test weights  have dropped some but certain varieties are proving to hold up better. Yields being reported making low 40’s to low 50’s. Some highly intensive managers reporting yields in the 60’s to 70’s at this location, which tends to always be a bright spot for production.  Early protein reports show an average of 11.2% to 11.5%.  This area is 7 percent complete.

Cordell-Harvest got started again late yesterday afternoon in this area.   Test weights have dropped slightly with the rains this past week and are ranging from 59lbs. to 61lbs. per bushel.  Many varieties are still holding up well even with the rains.  Yields ranging from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s.  Proteins in this area are averaging 12%. This location is reporting 15 to 20 complete.

Central Oklahoma

Reeding/Kingfisher/Omega/Okeene- Test weights ranging from 60 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel, as they have dropped slightly with the rains but overall are holding up. Yields ranging from mid 40’s to low 50’s for the most part.  Some higher yields have been noted in low to mid 60’s on fields with some pushing 70 on wheat that was intensively managed. Protein ranging from 9% to 13.5%. Right now it is looking like an 11.0% to 11.2% average for the region.  Harvest in the Kingfisher locations reported at 20 percent complete.  Rains in the Omega/Loyal and Reeding areas hindered progress and are 10% complete.  

Northern Oklahoma

Kremlin/Hunter/Lamont- Early cuttings showing test weight ranging from 60lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel as producers got into fields late yesterday in this area. Yields ranging in the low 40’s to low 50’s on early cuttings. Early reports on protein showing an 11.5% to 12% average. These locations reporting less than 5 percent complete.

Tonkawa/Blackwell– Harvest still at a standstill at the time of this report today, due to heavy rains.  These regions reporting less than 5 percent complete.

Burlington- Last night harvest got a good start in this region.  Test weights are ranging from 59lbs. to 62lbs. per bushel depending on variety.   No yields on early cutting being reported but it is thought in some areas that production will be better than what was previously thought.  Locations based on rainfall and planting dates are showing their will be two different crops in this region.  Early protein reports ranging from 12% to 14%.  This region reporting less than 5% complete.

Panhandle of Oklahoma

Turpin/Baker/Hooker- Cutting on dryland wheat has begun out by Turpin and Baker.  Nothing had been taken in at Hooker as of this morning.  Yields ranging from 20 to 50 bushels depending on location and planting date.  No test weights or proteins reported at this time.

Northeast Oklahoma

Afton/Miami- No wheat has been taken in at these locations as of today.  Producers were hopeful to start cutting late this afternoon.

General Report

Reports in all locations show test weights ranging from 59 to 65 lbs. per bushel for the most part.  We have some regions now reporting some 58lb. to 59 lb. test weights in parts of Southern Oklahoma, but overall most test weights are still holding at 60lbs. or higher across the state. Proteins ranging from 9% to 13.5%, with an overall average of proteins being reported higher than last week now at 11.7%.  Early yields being reported at 40 to 50 bushels per acre in most regions.  Higher yields being reported on intensively managed wheat with some yields on a few fields being reported in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.  It is thought that in parts of Northwest Oklahoma the wheat in some areas has recovered, however there are still several parts in far Northwest Oklahoma and the Panhandle that will have lower yields due to persistent drought. The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is calling the state 25% complete with harvest.  The next Oklahoma Wheat Commission Harvest report will be published on Monday, June 10, 2024.

Below, see the 7-day forecast and storm potential outlook for this evening thru the weekend provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet.

Harvest Makes Progress in Southern Oklahoma, Wheat Ready in Parts of Central Oklahoma, but Delayed by Rain

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By: The Oklahoma Wheat Commission

Oklahoma wheat harvest made good strides the last few days in parts of Southwest, Oklahoma. Producers as far North in the Okarche and Reeding area were also able to start earlier in the week before rains delayed progress on Wednesday morning. Samples and small cuttings were taken in at Greenfield. Cooler temperatures made for a late start in a lot of areas yesterday. High humidity, cloudy weather, with fog and mist today have hindered anything being cut this morning. Predicted rains late this afternoon/evening and over the weekend will likely stall progress over the Memorial Day weekend. Wheat being taken in at all locations show favorable yields and quality.

Devol/Grandfield/Chattanooga- This area has taken in a lot of wheat over the past 5 to 7 days, with approximately 15 percent of the crop harvested.   Yields are ranging from the low 20’s to high 40’s for the most part. Heavily grazed wheat having the lower yields.  It has been noted some intensively managed fields have been yielding 50, with a few yields in the lower 70’s being reported.  Test weights ranging from 60lbs. to 65lbs. per bushel.  Protein averages being reported from 10.5% to 12%, with the overall average being around 11.0% to 11.2%. 

Frederick- Great strides have been made in this area until cooler temperatures and higher humidities yesterday.  Yields being reported from as low as 25 to as high as 50 bushels per acre depending on management and whether or not it was grazed.  Test weights reported from 60lbs. to 63lbs. per bushel.  Protein average at 10.5%

Altus/Lone Wolf- Yields in this region mainly ranging from 35 to 40 bushels per acre. A couple of intensively managed fields making above 60 bushels per acre being reported. Test weights ranging from 60 lbs. to 64 lbs. per bushel. Harvest just getting a good start at these locations so no protein reports being made at this time. (Test cuttings and samples have been taken in at Hobart, Gotebo, Roosevelt, Sentinel, Rocky, Dill City and Cordell, but no actual reports being made until harvest starts in these regions.)

Greenfield- Early test weights being reported on one field making 58.5 lbs. per bushel.  Protein was reported at 13%, no yields reported.

Okarche- Early cuttings reporting yields from 40 to 45 bushels per acre. Test weights reported at 61 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel.  Protein reports on early cuttings coming in at 13.5%

Reeding- Early cuttings on a couple fields in this region had reports of yields making 45 to 50 bushels per acre. Test weights ranging from 60lbs. to 62lbs. per bushel.  No proteins being reported on the early cuttings.

Early reports in all locations show test weights ranging from 60 to 65 lbs. per bushel. Proteins ranging from 10.5% to 13.5%, with an overall average of proteins being reported at 11.0% to 11.2%. The wheat being harvested in Southwest Oklahoma has not been stressed as much, so it is thought proteins will get higher as harvest progresses North where we have drought stress. Early yields being reported at 40 to 45 bushels per acre in most regions.  Higher yields being reported on intensively managed wheat with some yields on a few fields being reported in the mid 60’s to low 70’s.  The regions where this is being reported is considered the bright spot of the state for growing conditions this year. The state has received a large amount of hail damage in South Central, Southwest, and Northern, Oklahoma over the past two weeks.  Producers are hoping future predicted storms for tonight and over the weekend subside. The next harvest report to be published will be Tuesday, May 28th.  In honor of all the Veterans and Active Service members the Oklahoma Wheat Commission wants to wish everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Below, see the 6-10 day precipitation and storm potential outlook provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet.

Pre-harvest sprouting damage in wheat

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Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist

Pre-harvest sprouting is the onset of grain germination while still on the wheat head. Once wheat reaches physiological maturity, it can initiate germination if exposed to ideal moisture and warm temperatures for a few days. This is the case in some areas of Oklahoma that have received rainfall for several days after wheat has ripened. Genetics and environmental conditions are responsible for the differences in susceptibility to sprouting. Thus, wheat varieties differ in their resistance to sprouting (i.e., some are more prone to sprouting than others).

The occurrence of pre-harvest sprouting damage in the state has been low to moderate so far. But, due to the number of questions/calls I have received with the same concern in the past days, I thought I would share a few thoughts.

Can I use sprout-damaged wheat for seed?

It depends on several factors, but more importantly, is the level of sprout damage that has occurred. Grains that are swollen and with split seed coat, without visible root or shoot emerging from the seed, might still be viable to be used as seed. In this case, a germination test is warranted after harvest and before planting. Suppose the grain shows broken seed coat with visible roots and/or coleoptile. In that case, it should not be kept for seed because they will likely have reduced viability or not be viable at all (Picture 1).

Picture 1. Pre-harvest sprouted wheat damage, showing grain with split seed coat and radicle starting to become visible. The photo was taken on June 10, 2022, by Glen Calvert, the Extension Ag Educator at Washita County.

Will pre-harvest sprouting damage affect quality?

The extent to which pre-harvest sprouting grain will affect quality depends on the level of damage. Grain germination causes the production of alpha amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch. As the level of sprout damage increases, this enzyme also increases, leading to an impairment of grain quality. Sprouted damaged grain can negatively impact wheat flour and baking quality by affecting mixability, crumb strength, loaf volume, etc.

Resources:

Contact your local county Extension office.

Storage and Use of Low Test Weight and Sprouted Wheat –  Factsheet BAE-1109

Acknowledgments:

Gary Strickland, Jackson County Extension Director and SWREC Regional Agronomy Specialist

Glen Calvert , Extension Educator Ag/4H at Washita County