Oklahoma wheat harvest moved forward at a slow pace over the 4th of July weekend, with rain showers hitting several parts of the Panhandle, Northern, and Northeast Oklahoma at different times. There is a region in the Goodwell, Guymon and Hooker area that is still working on irrigated wheat production that has been delayed due to rains this past week. In North Central Oklahoma, little progress has been made, with producers cutting just to check moisture samples while fighting with mud. In Northeast Oklahoma, progress was made over the weekend, but rain showers yesterday evening have put harvest at a standstill as of today.
Several producers are weighing options as weeds become more of an issue. Test weights have dropped significantly in many parts of North Central Oklahoma in the 56 lbs. to 58 lbs. per bushel. Many producers have been surprised test weights have been holding up as good as they have been despite everything the crop has been through.
The statewide average for test weight is still reported at 59 lbs. as much heavier weights were harvested earlier in the season. Yields across the state are ranging from the mid 40’s to mid 50’s for the most part, with some lower yielding wheat being reported due to heavy rains.
Management-intensive producers have reported higher yields ranging in the mid-60s to mid-80s. Producers had better wheat in many Northern parts of the state but now will see some yield loss due to lower test weights. Protein ranges have been all over the board from 9.8% to 14.2% depending on management and location. Protein average for the state of Oklahoma is at 11.2%.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission is calling harvest 85% completed as of today.
This will be the last harvest report of the season and will be considered a fair representation of quality in the state, even though some quality targets will be lower than expected on what remains.
**It should be noted some minor instances of sprout has been reported at a 1% to 3% level, but in most regions the crop is still holding up without much sprout damage. If sprout becomes more of an issue, then producers will most likely opt to utilize for feed wheat.
Intensively managed wheat reported to be making in the mid 60’s. No protein was reported at this time. This region is considered to be 95% harvested.
Garber/Kremlin/Hunter/PondCreek- Producers have been fighting mud in this region all harvest, with little movement over the past 5 days. Test weights have declined some ranging from 55 lbs. to 58 lbs. per bushel. Yields reported in the mid-40s to mid-50s for the most part. Some intensively managed fields making in the mid 60’s. Protein averaging 11.2%. This region is considered to be 57% harvested.
Tonkawa/PoncaCity/Blackwell/Braman– Test weights being reported at 56 lbs. to 58 lbs. per bushel. This region has had heavy rains the last 5 days putting harvest at a standstill for the past week. Yields on early cuttings range from the low 40s to the mid-50s for the most part. It is worth noting that a significant portion of this region has experienced severe flooding and hail events. Also several fields will most likely be abandoned due to heavy weed issues. Protein on early cuttings averaging 11.1%. This region is considered 52% harvested.
Northeast Oklahoma
Afton/Miami- Producers have fought rain in this region all harvest, but towards the beginning of the weekend a couple days was suitable for cutting, with producers making progress. Rain showers yesterday also halted further progress. This region reporting two classes — Hard Red Winter and Soft Red Winter wheat. This region reported at 80% percent complete.
**Hard Red Winter Class, test weights have been averaging 56 lbs. per bushel. Yields are ranging in the mid 20’s to mid 50’s depending on variety and location.
**Soft Red Winter Class, test weights have been averaging 56 lbs. per bushel. Yields are ranging in the mid 20’s to mid 50’s depending on variety and location. We did have a couple of yields reported in the low 70’s.
Wheat Classes And What They Are Used For
Hard Red Winter (HRW) – A versatile wheat with excellent milling and baking characteristics for pan bread. Hard Red Winter wheat is also a choice for Asian noodles, hard rolls, flat breads, general purpose flour and cereal.
Soft Red Winter (SRW) – A versatile, weak-gluten wheat with excellent milling and baking characteristics suited for cookies, crackers, pretzels, pastries and flat breads.
Panhandle
Balko/Goodwell/Guymon/Hooker- A large portion of dryland harvest has now been completed in all regions of the Panhandle. Dryland wheat harvest is 98 percent complete. A great deal of irrigated wheat harvest has taken place in central regions of the Panhandle around the Balko area, while producers in the Guymon and Hooker region have been delayed with rains and high humidity. Dryland wheat yields reported from 20 bushels to 50 bushels per acre depending on variety and location. Irrigated wheat yields from 80 bushels to 120 bushels per acre. Test weights on dryland wheat ranging from 55 lbs. to 62 lbs. per bushel depending on variety and location. Test weight on irrigated wheat that was reported ranging from 57 lbs. to 61 lbs. per bushel. Protein average for the Panhandle has varied more so than other years but many parts of the region looking at 12% averages. The Panhandle region is considered 75 percent completed with harvest.
Below, see the 7-day forecast provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet.
