All eyes are on the winter wheat crop, especially in the Southern Plains.
A small grains specialist with Oklahoma State University provides an update on the crop’s condition in her state.
“Oklahoma wheat production this year is a mixed bag. So, we have some fields that are looking good, of course not up to our yield potential, but looking good considering out conditions. And we have some fields that there is not even wheat there, so very unfortunate,” says Dr. Amanda Silva.
Dr. Silva said we may see some of the wheat cut for hay as the demand will be high for feed supplies due to the drought damaging so many pastures.
Conditions are not any better for Kansas, as one producer has abandoned all of his winter wheat. The farmer says for the first time in his career, he has abandoned 4,000 acres due to the ongoing drought. It was a complete loss as the crop never emerged, but he was able to zero out on appraisal last month. Now the farmer is left with the decision as to what to do next. He is considering planting sorghum as a cover crop.
Failed #winterwheat field going to 🌽. Let’s hope it rains this weekend #plant23 pic.twitter.com/UTRDy45uH8
— Jay Kokes (@jlkokes) May 3, 2023
A South Dakota farmer has already made his next move. Jay Kokes tweeted out this picture from inside the tractor of turning his failed winter wheat field into corn! The field looks really dry and the producer is hoping for rain this weekend.
