The Woodward News

Local News

November 2, 2012

Wheat could use moisture

Gary Engel Woodward News

Woodward, Okla. — The 2013 winter wheat crop appears to be getting off to a dry start.

According to Oklahoma Mesonet data, available at mesonet.org, the statewide average for total rainfall in the last 30 days is 1.09 inches, which is more than 2 inches below normal.

This puts October 2012 as the 16th driest October in Oklahoma since 1921, according to mesonet.org.

And combined with the ongoing drought conditions throughout the state, the need for precipitation is only increased even more.

"We need it (moisture) desperately now," said Dana Bay, Woodward County OSU Extension Educator-Agriculture/4-H. "We'll take it any way we can get it."



DESPITE EMERGING, SOME WHEAT NOT GROWING

On a positive note, winter wheat seems to be emerging a little ahead of schedule.

"According to the latest USDA Ag Statistics report we are 71 percent emerged, which is actually ahead of last year and slightly above the 5-year average," said Tim Bartram, president of the Oklahoma Wheat Growers Association.

This advance in emergence may have been helped by earlier planting, according to Mike Schulte, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.

Schulte said at this point, the 5-year average is to have 86 percent planted. Currently Oklahoma stands at 92 percent planted, he said.

He said farmers were also planting their seed deeper to try and enhance germination and help ensure success of the developed crop.

USDA is currently rating the crop as "fair," Bartram said.

However, after talking with farmers and elevator managers across the state during the past couple of weeks, he said a different, somewhat dimmer, picture is being painted.

"While there are areas of the state that the crop is in good shape and even some (resulting in) wheat pasture, there is a large area of the state not in good condition," he said. "There are places the wheat hasn't come up and won't without some good rain."

In addition, Bartram said that in some areas the wheat has emerged but its growth has stopped.

"It actually may be going backwards in places," he said. "A good rain is needed soon to give us a chance for a good crop."



AREA REALLY DRY, BUT WHEAT IS RESILIENT

"Things look very dry, especially in the northwest part of the state," Schulte said. "Southern and Central Oklahoma have looked a little better because they had some precipitation. But now those producers are studying issues related to the drought."

He said that in charts he examined Thursday, two-thirds of Oklahoma was considered to be in exceptional to severe drought conditions.  The drought was the most pervasive in the northwest area, he said.

Bartram noted that Oklahoma is not alone in the dry spell.

"We are in a similar position with a lot of the rest of the Southern Plains wheat area, even up into Montana," he said.

"Fortunately, wheat is a resilient plant," added Schulte, "If we get moisture, the crop could be okay."

Text Only
Local News
  • Projects on city agenda

    Renovation and construction projects are the theme for the Woodward City Commission's regular meeting Monday at 7 p.m. in City Hall.

    May 19, 2013

  • Museum hosting history lectures

    If you've lived here long enough then you've surely heard about Woodward's "favorite son" Temple Houston, his famous "Soiled Dove" speech, and his infamous shootout with the Jennings brothers.

    May 19, 2013

  • Season approaching for Farmer’s Market

    The Woodward Farmer's Market will be in a new location when it opens for the 2013 season on May 25.

    May 17, 2013

  • Routine items on agenda

    The Board of Woodward County Commissioners will address a number of routine annual items during their regular meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at the county courthouse.

    May 17, 2013

  • Walleye Rodeo is under way

    CANTON -  The Walleye Rodeo is under way in Canton with a number of events taking place.

    May 17, 2013

  • Police look for stabbing suspect

    Woodward Police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred early Wednesday morning at a residence in west Woodward.

    May 16, 2013

  • Seatbelts can make a difference

    Just a few seconds.
    That's all it takes to buckle up.
    And wearing your seatbelt can make all the difference when it comes to surviving a traffic accident, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

    May 16, 2013

  • At least 6 confirmed dead in Texas tornadoes

    GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — A rash of tornados whirled through small communities in North Texas overnight, leaving at least six people dead, dozens more injured and hundreds homeless. The violent spring storm threw trailers onto cars, blew windows from houses and scattered bodies far from their homes.

    May 16, 2013

  • Committee preparing bond issue

    The Woodward Public School District's Long Range Planning Committee has a "very busy summer ahead" as it prepares to present a bond proposal to the school board.

    May 15, 2013

  • Busy time for local schools

    End of the school year activities continue at a quick pace in Woodward.

    May 15, 2013