At the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association’s 126th Annual Meeting, Farm Director, KC Sheperd, had the chance to catch up with Oklahoma State University Extension Area Agronomist Specialist Josh Bushong. Bushong talks about Oklahoma’s winter wheat crop, and the estimates for harvested acres, yield, and total production from OSU Extension and Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association members.
2024 wheat crop tour estimates came to 2,647,570 harvested acres, 33.68 bushels per acre, and a total production of 89.161 million bushels. The estimate from the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association members came to 2,740,000 harvested acres, 37.3 bushels per acre, and a total production of 102.202 million bushels. It is important to note that these estimates should be perceived as a moving average.
While some parts of the states have had challenges such as stripe rust, Bushong said for the most part, Oklahoma’s crop is looking well. The crop is turning fast this year, especially in Southern Oklahoma.
In general, Bushong said that in the growing season, wheat broke dormancy early in late winter, and has been 2-3 weeks ahead of schedule for most of spring.
“I have been very impressed with the wheat out there,” Bushong said. “Guys put money into it, they top dressed, and they protected the flag leaf with the fungicide. For the most part, average to above average on yield, acreage was pretty decent.”
When comparing last year’s crop to this year, Bushong said a concern last year was the ability to finish out the crop and have successful yields. This year, Bushong said the biggest concern is disease.
After recent storms throughout the state, Bushong said many areas have survived well.
“The nine contributors to the wheat report this year- we came in at a little less than what the Oklahoma Feed and Grain Association membership showed,” Bushong said. “They think we have more acres and a little bit better yield, there were thinking four more bushels than what we were thinking as far as the state yield. We were around 33 bushels, and they were thinking maybe 37 bushels. We were thinking a total production of almost 90 million bushels for the state, and they were thinking maybe 102 million bushels.”
To finish up this year’s wheat crop, Bushong said some moisture and mild conditions will be critical- not too hot and not too much wind. Rainfall received in the last two weeks should help this crop finish, and acres that received fungicide applications should produce well.
