This week on SUNUP, Dr. John Michael Riley discusses the progress of wheat planting and summer crop harvests.
Across the U.S., 50% of the wheat crop has been planted while Oklahoma lags behind at 32% with 14% emerged. Dr. Riley commented, “I was driving around this weekend and saw a little bit of green in those fields, but most of them look fairly bare or just planted. We are behind schedule compared to where we are typically at this time of year.”
Dry conditions are to blame for a lot of that, but Dr. Riley is confident that wheat planting will continue to progress despite continuing drought in the foreseeable future.
Regarding the harvest of summer crops, corn is right on schedule at 30% harvested, and 47% of the soybean harvest is complete, which is slightly ahead normal.
“Our summer crops across the U.S. have really been strong all year,” Dr. Riley stated. “That has put some pressure on prices, but it is still shaping up to be pretty decent.”
This week on SUNUP:
- Amanda Silva, OSU Extension small grains specialist, says fall armyworms have been reported in the state and producers should begin scouting now in early-planted wheat fields.
- SUNUP says a fond farewell to our longtime Mesonet agricultural coordinator Wes Lee as he heads off into retirement after 35 years of service to OSU Extension. Congrats, Wes!
- State climatologist Gary McManus provides additional analysis and context about the drought’s severity.
- Brian Arnall, OSU Extension soil nutrient specialist, has information on a new OSU fact sheet about forage quality results from samples sent to the OSU Soil, Water and Forage Analytical Laboratory, which can help producers gauge the status of their forage systems.
- Paul Beck, OSU Extension beef cattle specialist, has tips for managing cattle herds during the drought.
- SUNUP Previews the upcoming OSU Agriculture Livestock and Range Field Day.
- Mark Johnson, OSU Extension beef cattle breeding specialist, discusses the best ways to transport cattle.
- John Michael Riley, OSU agricultural economist, sifts through the grain stocks report.
- Finally, Rosslyn Biggs, OSU Extension beef cattle specialist, explains why prepping facilities is crucial before your veterinarian visits.
