A hard wheat year can still teach Oklahoma producers something useful about risk, timing, and variety decisions.
In this episode of the Red Dirt Agronomy Podcast, Dave Deken, Brian Arnall Ph.D., and Josh Lofton Ph.D. talk with Amanda Silva Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Extension small grains specialist, about the 2026 Oklahoma wheat crop. They discuss drought stress, scattered rainfall, early crop development, planting date decisions, test weight, wheat streak mosaic virus, and what variety trials can still tell farmers in a difficult year.
Key takeaways:
- Rain timing drove much of the difference between fields, even within the same county.
- Earlier crop development, warm winter conditions, and a cooler grain-fill period shaped yield and test weight outcomes.
- Planting date can be used as a risk-management tool, especially when paired with different maturity groups.
- Wheat variety trials are still valuable in stressful years, but researchers must carefully judge data quality, CV, blocks, and field variability.
- OSU research continues on late-planted wheat, seeding rates, nitrogen management, forage production, coleoptile length, and deeper planting to chase moisture.
To listen to the full podcast, click below
