Farm Director, KC Sheperd is talking with Oklahoma Wheat Commission’s Mike Schulte about an update on Oklahoma’s wheat crop, wheat variety trials, and upcoming events pertinent to Oklahoma wheat producers.
“It is really kind of a mixed bag out there right now,” Schulte said. “I would say this year, in some ways, is mirroring what we saw last year. Not as bad as with the drought conditions we had going into this crop as of last year because we did get some rains, certainly in the winter months.”
In the panhandle region, northwest Oklahoma, and certain areas of north central Oklahoma, Schulte said there have been challenges for producers regarding wheat production due to weather and lack of moisture.
“There are areas up there that have gone 100 days without a quarter inch of rain,” Schulte said.
The lack of rain has not been favorable to the wheat crop in a few parts of the state. Schulte said conditions might improve if rain comes, but without it, yields will surely suffer.
“I had a producer today tell me that three or four weeks ago, we were probably looking at a 50 to 60 bushel crop, but now they are thinking we are somewhere in the mid 20’s to low 30’s,” Schulte said.
Schulte said there have been some losses due to hail in south central Oklahoma, but overall, that region is hopeful for a good crop this year.
“Starting next week, we do go into variety trial season,” Schulte said. “We have 16 plots that are located throughout the state that kick off Monday morning, April 22nd, at 10 a.m. at Jimmy Kinder’s farm in Walters, Oklahoma. On Monday afternoon at 3 p.m., we have a field tour at the OSU Southwest Research and Extension Center in Altus. Those will progress through the month of April into mid-May, where we will wrap up on May 22nd in the Balco and Hooker regions of the Panhandle.”
Schulte said the 2024 OSU Wheat Variety Plot Tours will evaluate different varieties with strengths related to disease and drought resistance. To see the complete schedule with times and locations across the state, visit okwheat.org.
Regarding the production of wheat in Oklahoma as it relates to the rest of the United States, Schulte said many areas are still suffering from drought. For example, Schulte mentioned that 97 percent of Kansas is still in severe drought, according to the weekly drought monitor report.
“It really is having an impact on our crop in the region of the hard red winter wheat belt,” Schulte said.
Although many places received adequate moisture in months prior, Schulte said it is vital that the wheat crop receives moisture soon to finish off the crop.
“This coming week, we actually have a growers meeting that is going to be held by the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association in Kingfisher, Oklahoma,” Schulte said. “Congressman Lucas is going to be available for that meeting that is going to be taking place at the Cimarron Electric Cooperative Building. That will begin at 12 p.m. with lunch, and wrap up at 3:30 p.m.”
At the meeting, Congressman Frank Lucas will update those in attendance on the latest efforts to pass the new Farm Bill as well as other national and international issues he is dealing with in Washington, D.C. OSU Extension Weed Specialist Dr. Liberty Galvin will share findings from the university’s research around Italian Ryegrass in Oklahoma wheat fields which will be eligible for one Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Continuing Education Credit for private or commercial applicators.
For more information about the wheat growers meeting in Kingfisher, CLICK HERE.
As variety of trials progress, Schulte said a delegation from Hungary will be in attendance on the 16th and 17th of May at variety trial locations, including the research trial in Lahoma, Oklahoma.
“We are also planning on having delegations from Africa and Brazil, and those are going to be coming in at the end of June and August for wheat buyers,” Schulte said.
Regarding the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Annual Meeting on May 6-7, Schulte said the first indications of Oklahoma crop estimates will be announced before the USDA report estimates the following week.
For information about the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association’s annual meeting, CLICK HERE.
