Howdy folks! It is that time of the year. The OSU Wheat Plot Tours have been scheduled, and the schedule is posted on the wheat website click here and also pasted below.
Wheat is looking good for the most part, especially when compared to last year. Some parts of the state are very dry (see picture below of the wheat in Cherokee). We could use some rain. Stripe rust showed up early in the season, which caused wheat leaf damage, especially on the wheat in the southwest region. We are still seeing it spreading throughout the state. Many fungicide applications happened in the past weeks.
In the plot tours, we will discuss wheat management practices and varieties, including their differences in disease resistance, grazing and yield potential, and other traits. In Apache and Kildare, you will be able to see our research on planting date, seeding rate, and varieties.
We will also have a field day at Rendel Farms in Miami, OK, on May 2nd. We will discuss the on-farm research being conducted there on planting date, seeding rate, and varieties. Drs. Arnall and Lofton will discuss their work as well.
We hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Amanda
Wheat variety trial at Chickasha on April 3rd, 2024. Photo: Joao Ferro, undergraduate visiting scholar in the Small Grains LabWheat with stripe rust at the Lahoma variety trial on April 18, 2024. Photo: Juan Dietz, visiting research scholar in the Small Grains Lab.Wheat variety trial at Cherokee on April 19th, 2024. Photo: Juan Dietz, visiting research scholar in the Small Grains Lab.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely be moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely be moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely be moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely be moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely be moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely be moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
First hollow stem (FHS) is the optimal time to remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of hollow stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). The latest FHS results from OSU forage trials in Stillwater (Table 1) and Chickasha (Table 2) are listed below. For an additional resource and wheat update on FHS, see the Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor.
We use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely moderate.
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Contact your local Extension office and us if you have questions.
Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Small Grains Extension Specialist
The first hollow stem stage (FHS) indicates the beginning of stem elongation, or just before the jointing stage. It is a good indicator for when producers should remove cattle from wheat pasture. This occurs when there is 1.5 cm (5/8”, or the diameter of a dime) of stem below the developing grain head (see full explanation). This is the optimal period because it gives enough time for the crop to recover from grazing and rebuild the canopy. Also, the added cattle weight gains associated with grazing past the FHS are not enough to offset the value of the potential reduced grain yield (1-5% every day past FHS). The wheat variety, severity of grazing, time when cattle are removed, and weather conditions after cattle removal determine how much grain yield potential might be reduced.
The Mesonet First Hollow Stem Advisor was developed by researchers at Oklahoma State University to help predict when FHS is nearing. This is an online tool available on the Mesonet website. This tool uses soil temperature data to show the current probability of FHS occurrence and 1-week and 2-week projections. With this tool, producers can select their variety from a list of varieties that separates them into three FHS categories: early, middle, and late. Then, maps can be generated to provide the probability of FHS based on current conditions and the 1- and 2-week projections. Charts and tables can also be generated for individual Mesonet sites. Created maps have a color scheme to represent the probability of FHS occurrence. When using this tool, it is recommended to start scouting for FHS from a non-grazed part of the field once the 5% probability is reached (green color). Because stem elongation will begin moving quickly as the air temperature rises, starting your scouting at the 5% level will help give you the time it takes for making the preparations for cattle removal by the time FHS occurs. Methods on how to scout for FHS are listed at the end of this post. For producers who do not scout, it is recommended to remove cattle when the 50% probability level is reached. A 50% probability level indicates that over an evaluated period (e.g., 10 years), FHS would have occurred by that date in 50% of those years (e.g., 5 years). The same interpretation is used for other probability levels.
To give an example of what the tool provides and show some of the FHS conditions around Oklahoma, I have generated some statewide maps below. For producers along the southern Oklahoma border who planted an “early” wheat variety (e.g., Gallagher), now would be the time to go out and start scouting for FHS (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Current FHS probabilities for “early” wheat varieties.
Remember that this tool should be used as a proxy to begin scouting for FHS. The best estimate of FHS is still to split stems from plants in each field to determine where they are developmentally. Another word of caution I want to mention when using the tool is to consider when you were finally able to get stand establishment. If this did not occur until the end of September to the beginning of October, this tool may be a little ahead of where your plants are developmentally. In this case, the tool can still give you the cue to start scouting. Checking for FHS in each field will let you know if you do have some grazing time left.
Methods for scouting for FHS:
Check for FHS in a non-grazed area of the same variety and planting date. Variety can affect FHS date by as much as three weeks and planting date can affect it even more.
Dig or pull up a few plants and split the largest tiller longitudinally (lengthways) and measure the amount of hollow stem present below the developing grain head. You must dig plants because the developing grain head may still be below the soil surface at this stage.
If there is 1.5 cm (~5/8″) of hollow stem present, it is time to remove cattle. 1.5 cm is about the same as the diameter of a dime (see picture below).
More detailed information on FHS can be found at wheat.okstate.edu under ‘Wheat Publications’ then ‘Grazing’ or by clicking here.
The first hollow stem growth stage is reached when there is 1.5 cm of hollow stem (about the diameter of a dime) below the grain head.
Similar to previous years, we will monitor FHS occurrence in our wheat plots at Stillwater and Chickasha and report the findings on this blog. Remember that we use an accelerated growth system to report the earliest onset of the FHS stage. Trials are seeded early to simulate a grazed system, but the forage is not removed. Varieties reported here with the earliest FHS date should be the first to monitor in commercial fields. In practice, wheat that is grazed will likely reach FHS stage later than reported here, and differences between varieties will likely moderate.
The latest FHS results for each variety planted in our forage trial at Stillwater and Chickasha are listed below (Tables 1 and 2).
Table 1. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Stillwater. Plots were planted on 09/18/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Table 2. First hollow stem (FHS) results for each variety collected at Chickasha. Plots were planted on 09/21/23 but not grazed or clipped. The threshold target for FHS is 1.5 cm (5/8″ or the diameter of a dime). The value of hollow stem for each variety represents the average of ten measurements. Varieties exceeding the threshold are highlighted in red.
Oklahoma Harvest Report by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission
Oklahoma Wheat Harvest had test cuttings with small deliveries last Thursday evening in Eldorado, OK. Rains over the Memorial Day weekend delayed producers from getting into the fields, but machines started moving across the Southern border of Oklahoma in many locations on Monday and Tuesday this week. Light rains and high humidity in parts of Southwest Oklahoma will make a slow start today, but producers are hopeful to get rolling in these locations by late this afternoon. All locations being reported this afternoon are reporting favorable test weights in all locations with ranges from 60-64 lbs. per bushel. Several locations are reporting 62-64 lbs. per bushel. Moisture has been ranging from 12-13.5%, with most wheat being taken in at around 12.5%. Early yields being reported in Southern Oklahoma are ranging from the mid 20’s to low 40’s depending on location and management practices. Some high management intensive producers have reported a couple locations to be making in the mid 40’s with one report coming in at 55 bushels per acre. Most yields being reported are ranging from the low 30’s to low 40’s in Southern and South Central Oklahoma. Those regions are predicted to have the best overall crop conditions for Oklahoma this year. Protein has not been reported on most early samples throughout the region, although some locations have reported proteins ranging from 12.5% to as high as 15%.
Eldorado– Test weights on early wheat ranging from 60 to 63 lbs. per bushel. No yields reported on early cuttings. Grandfield/Devol/Chattanooga– Test weights ranging from 62-64 lbs. per bushel. Moisture reported at 12.5% to 13%. Yields ranging mostly from 30 bushels to 40 bushels per acre. Frederick– Test weights on early cuttings ranging mainly from 60 to 62 lbs. per bushel. Moisture was reported at 12.5% to 12.7% Yields ranging from the low 30’s to low 40’s on the wheat being harvested. Tipton– This area suffered more from drought than other areas in South Central, Oklahoma. Yields are being reported from the low 20’s to low 30’s depending on location. Test weight has been lower on some fields, but the average for the region is 60 lbs. per bushel. Moisture was ranging from 12.5% to 13%. Altus/Duke– Harvest has started in this area with great movement yesterday afternoon. Light rains and high humidity will make the start slower this afternoon. Test weights ranging from 60 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel. Early yields reported from the high 20’s to low 40’s. Hobart/Gotebo– A couple loads have just been received in these locations. Test weights reported at 60 to 62 lbs. per bushel. Yields ranging from the mid 20’s to low 30’s. Early reports indicate this area has struggled harder with drought conditions. Lawton– A couple loads have been taken in at Lawton. Test weight was 62 lbs. per bushel, no yields reported. Moisture was 13.5%. Rocky/Sentinel– Samples have been received at these locations but nothing has been cut, producers were hoping to start late this afternoon or tomorrow.
Below, see the next 1-3 day rain prediction forecast models provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet. The next Oklahoma Harvest Report will be published on Monday, June 5, 2023, and a regional report will be published by Plains Grain Inc. on Friday, June 2, 2023
WORLD OF WHEAT 