June 18, 2010

Wheat crops damaged by wet weather in Oklahoma, US

Oklahoma's winter-wheat crop, the nation's second-largest behind Kansas, has been damaged by heavy rain, according to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.

Twelve inches (30 centimetres) of rain fell in some areas of the state, toppling wheat plants, the group said. About 38% of the Oklahoma crop was collected as of June 13, up from 12% a week earlier, the USDA said in a report. Farmers who have yet to harvest their grain may not get back into fields this week, the commission said.

"Predictions on wheat in the Panhandle are favourable if producers will be able to get back into the fields," said Mike Schulte, the executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.