Interview Context: The broadcast interview is conducted between Hale Broadcasting and Dave Misener from Elk City, Oklahoma, discussing current agricultural conditions and challenges in the area.
Wheat Harvest in Western Oklahoma: The wheat harvesting season in western Oklahoma has begun, with initial attempts occurring south of Elk City. Farmers are experiencing low yields, ranging from 7 to 12 bushels per acre, and test weights around 57-58 pounds per bushel. Recent hailstorms caused damage, notably to properties, though crop damage was limited due to already poor conditions.
Adverse Weather Conditions: Farmers have faced challenges from varying weather conditions, including inadequate rainfall and high temperatures, affecting wheat growth and harvest potential. The region has experienced extremely high winds and dirt blowing, adding to the difficulties of farming. Some wheat that was planted later may still take another 10 days to be ready for harvest if it has not been hayed or left untended.
Economic Viability of Harvesting: Due to low yields and increased operational costs (fuel and equipment wear), farmers are assessing the economic feasibility of harvesting. Crops yielding less than six bushels per acre are often left unharvested as they do not justify the expense.
Comparative Weather Conditions: The interview contrasts weather conditions in Oklahoma with those in southern Alberta and Saskatchewan, where rains and snows have more favorable effects, differing from the hot, dry, and windy conditions in Oklahoma.
Overall, the interview highlights the tough harvesting season faced by Oklahoma farmers due to a combination of poor weather and economic challenges.
Actual Call Audio;
Let's check in with our co-host David Woodruff, who has David Miesner from Elk City, Oklahoma, with a not-so-good report.
"This past Monday was the first day that I heard anybody trying some wheat, and got going just south of us a little bit, and it's just kind of been slowly breaking loose as this week goes on. I haven't harvested anything myself quite yet. What I've got to harvest, which ain't much for anybody around here in this part of the state in western Oklahoma, but I'm going to start next week. But so far of what I've heard from talking to farmers, if they're combining it, we're talking somewhere between 7 and 12 bushel on the wheat, and test weight for the most part's been around 57, maybe 58 pounds. We had a few rains that came through this past weekend, which of course them few guys that got it were really thankful to get it, but I can also say in the Elk City area we had quite a bit of hail, and I can't say that it really in a way did much damage to the crops, because they weren't very good, but I can say on housing and vehicles it sure did a number to them. We had a lot of pretty good size stuff, some tennis ball, baseball size hail that was in the area. Doing what we can, and the seed wheat part is going to definitely be on the short side, and guys are looking for some cover crop and just doing what they can, because mother nature didn't allow us to have much of a wheat yield this year."
Thanks again for the cooperation of David Misener in calling in and giving us a quality report. If you'd like to share your information, please give us a call on the numbers on the screen at HarvestUSAReport.com or on our Facebook page by the same name.
