Drought’s impact felt in Oklahoma ag
The latest drought monitor map from the Oklahoma Mesonet shows dry conditions intensifying, and 34 counties are currently under a burn ban.
Drought is taking its toll on agricultural producers and two of the state’s largest commodities—cattle and wheat. Jimmy Kinder is one of three generations who have grown dual-purpose wheat in southwest Oklahoma’s Cotton County. The wheat he plants is used as a forage for stocker calves to graze in late fall.
In early September, Kinder dusted in wheat, a planting technique commonly used by producers when conditions are dry, and subsoil moisture is low. Producers dust in the wheat seed at a shallow depth to maximize germination speed. Typically, the stocker calves he buys would graze on this young wheat in a few weeks, but weather conditions are concerning.
“It’s up and growing, but with the hot weather we had in September and October, I’m wondering whether it’s a blessing or curse because it’s showing drought stress, and we’re losing plants,” Kinder said.
