Oklahoma wheat harvest continues with majority of cutting left in northern and panhandle regions

The Oklahoma Wheat harvest is winding down in the Southern and Central areas of the state, with combines rolling in most parts of the northern and Panhandle regions. In the far NE part of the state around Afton and Miami, heavy rains have hindered harvest for the next couple days. Moisture was also received in central regions of the wheat belt around Marshall and Guthrie mid-morning this Tuesday. Producers are hopeful we will miss the slight chance of predicted rains tonight and tomorrow. Across the state, test weights have been favorable, with above average protein coming in from the Oklahoma/Texas line to the Oklahoma/Kansas line. Based on reports from elevator managers this week, harvest is coming in as predicted with lower than average yields. The decline in planted wheat acres as well as abandonment from the long-term drought has made this harvest progress extremely fast for producers, custom harvesters, and elevator operators. While the yields have not been as favorable as the industry would like, overall the quality of this crop looks to be encouraging for the milling and baking industries, especially when it comes to protein functionalities. The USDA June 12th Crop Production estimates for Oklahoma were unchanged from the May 10 estimate, predicting 2 million acres to be harvested with a 26 bushel per acre yield making the Oklahoma production estimate 52 million bushels for the 2018 crop.