Extent of Oklahoma wheat damage variable after recent storms
By Donald Stotts - OSU
STILLWATER, Okla. – Recent severe weather has affected Oklahoma wheat producers, but fortunately not to the extent some feared, given the onslaught of tornadoes, flooding and hail in parts of the state.
There is a lot of variability in the amounts of damage incurred, ranging from no appreciable damage to wheat that is noticeably injured but may still be salvageable, said Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Oklahoma State University Extension small grains specialist.
“Producers naturally want to rush out and assess the status of their crop, but in many instances it’s still too early for that,” she said. “Unfortunately, the variability we’re seeing makes general recommendations difficult. It’s literally a field-by-field, decision-making process. Overall, the Oklahoma wheat crop still looks quite good.”
By Rachel Lockwood OSU Extension May 15, 2021
Rachel LockwoodÂ
Whether they are raising scholarship money, beautifying their communities or sewing cloth face masks for healthcare workers across the state, members of Oklahoma State University Extensionâs group, Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE), continue to make a difference every day. OHCE was formerly known as Home Demonstration Clubs.
Committed to making a difference, this group, established in 1935, celebrated their service to Oklahoma May 2-8 during Oklahoma Home and Community Education Week. This yearâs theme was Celebrating Your Helping Hands. This group certainly knows how to put their hands to good work. Pittsburg County Commissioners honored the group of volunteers, by proclaiming the week of May 2nd-8th as Pittsburg County OHCE Week.
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Jun 15, 2021 to Jun 17, 2021
Recent severe weather has affected Oklahoma wheat producers, but fortunately not to the extent some feared, given the onslaught of tornadoes, flooding and hail in parts of the state.
There is a lot of variability in the amounts of damage incurred, ranging from no appreciable damage to wheat that is noticeably injured but may still be salvageable, said Amanda de Oliveira Silva, Oklahoma State University Extension small grains specialist.
“Producers naturally want to rush out and assess the status of their crop, but in many instances, it’s still too early for that,” she said. “Unfortunately, the variability we’re seeing makes general recommendations difficult. It’s literally a field-by-field, decision-making process. Overall, the Oklahoma wheat crop still looks quite good.”
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Events
Oklahoma City Home + Garden Show: noon to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Bennett Event Center, OKC Fairgrounds. Find details at oklahomacityhomeshow.com.
Plant sale: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 29. Crystal Bridge Conservatory at Myriad Botanical Gardens. Sale of plants that will not be transferred to the renovated space. Garden members will have early access from 9 to 10 a.m. To join, go to myriadgardens.org.
The rising feedlot cost of gain in the southern Great Plains should have cattle producers considering economic opportunities for operations in forage-based stocker and backgrounding programs, said Oklahoma State University Extension experts.
Cost of gain, or the expense of gaining a pound of livestock bodyweight, involves several critical factors such as feed costs, flesh condition, animal genetics, weather and cattle health. When grain prices rise and cost of gain increases – as is currently the case – feedlot operators shift their favor to heavier-weight cattle.
“It’s all about adding value, though the producer still will need to determine the price needed to sell his or her fed cattle to break even on the transaction,” said Paul Beck, OSU Extension beef cattle specialist and holder of the university’s Dennis and Marta White Endowed Chair in Animal Science. “Determining the break-even price is just part of raising cattle, no matter the size or type of operation.