June 3, 2004

US Oklahoma Wheat Harvest Now 35%-40% Complete

Oklahoma's wheat harvest is running at a rapid pace, with all areas now reporting cutting underway including the Panhandle, said Mark Hodges of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission in harvest update report released late Tuesday.
 
Hodges estimates that the state's wheat harvest is 35% to 40% complete now, with fieldwork running a week to 10 days ahead of normal.
 
As of Sunday, the government's weekly crop update showed the state's harvesting at 27% done, up from 10% for the same time last year and up from 6% for the five-year average.
 
Hodges speculates that with continued dry weather that fieldwork should be wrapping in the southern quarter by the end of this weekend.
 
The Oklahoma weekly crop update said harvest reports so far have been optimistic with test weights running good to excellent.
 
"Test weights continue to be tremendous, mostly above 62 pounds (per bushel). Many elevators south of Highway 62, from Lawton to Altus, continue to report average test weights of 62 pounds, this with harvest in that area now better than 80% complete," said Hodges.
 
He adds, "The Kingfisher/Okarche area is now approaching 70% complete with test weights still running above 61 pounds."
 
Even though some test weights have dropped off in the north as harvest begins in stride there, but they remain good at 60 and 61 pounds.
 
"Proteins are running a little lower than normal on average and dockage continues to be a problem in some areas," Hodges said.