Area wheat fields look promising as they turn from green to gold.

OSU County Extension Director/Agricultural Educator Bryan Kennedy said small grain fields countywide responded well to April rains and fields designated for harvest are generally in good shape.

Spring Rains Were Vital He said that the spring rains were vital to the condition of the developing crops, commenting that without them the county would have been looking at a 100-day drought during the growing season.

Some white spots have shown up in fields where the ground became water- logged but a bigger problem is the “trash” in some fields – cheat, wild rye, weeds and other invaders – making the crop a “little ugly” in spots.

Despite the challenges, the crop looks promising at this point.

Drought conditions last fall figured into the trash conditions showing up in fields this spring.

Producers were unable to employ normal prevention practices due to the unusual growing conditions and the invasive plants showing up now were lying in wait. They erupted with the rain.

Kennedy said some producers who sowed early and got a partial stand prior to the fall drought attempted to cross sow the fields later.

That may cause crops in those fields to mature at different times, creating harvesting problems.

At this time, fields are maturing steadily, Kennedy said “We are always at the mercy of Mother Nature,” he added.

Two potential concerns remain – a blistering hot spell and then Kennedy added “we don’t need hail.”

Successful Farming magazine reported this status of the nation’s wheat crop: 5% very poor, 14% poor, 32% fair, 40% good, and 9% excellent the week ending April 27.

Kennedy said the county crops have faced little disease problems this year and predicted a late May to early June start to the harvest.

Kennedy said north Kingfisher County received less rain this spring than the southern area.

He reported he received 8.4 inches of rain at his residence southwest of Hennessey.

Numerous fields have been baled for hay with some reports of up to three bales per acre. He said the fields normally would have been baled when they were in the boot stage but that occurred about the time rains began to fall.

Baling those fields with grass and weed infestations will help reduce the trash problems next year, Kennedy pointed out.

Dr. Amanda Silva, Oklahoma State University extension small grains specialist expressed cautious optimism at a recent Chickasha wheat field day about the statewide crop, in comments to the Oklahoma Ag Credit crop report: “I think it looks good. And with the moisture …, I’m more hopeful that we can get a good crop this year. It’s not going to be a bumper crop, but I think it will really help us.”

Cattle Market Is Crazy

Stocker cattle have gained well on wheat pasture and market prices are high.

Kennedy cited a report from an auction market at Fairview last week reporting some 797-pound steers brought $2.20 pound.

He also cited a report from Illinois of some 325-pound calves selling for $6 a pound ($1,950 a head).