Wheat Fields Assessed After Freeze
4/14/18 Farm Journal Report: Kansas Wheat Woes
The continued freeze that blanketed much of the country over the last two weeks damaged the wheat crop, particularly in Kansas, Oklahoma and parts of the Texas panhandle.
Kansas winter wheat was rated at 46% poor to very poor in Monday’s Crop Progress Report from USDA. In Oklahoma, 65% of the crop fell in the two lowest rating categories while Texas was rated 63% poor to very poor.
According to Jason Kelly, an Extension agent at the University of Arkansas, wheat suffered variable freeze in east-central Arkansas.
“Freeze ~ 9 days ago,” he posted on Twitter. “Injury dependent on growth stage, but heading wheat injured. Yellow heads, dead anthers, stem damage on some varieties, little damage on others it appears.”
Seeing freeze damage on #wheat in east-central Arkansas. Freeze ~ 9 days ago. Injury dependent on growth stage, but heading wheat injured. Yellow heads, dead anthers, stem damage on some varieties, little damage on others it appears. pic.twitter.com/UPPIGxAiGv — Jason Kelley (@AR_Feedgrains) April 17, 2018
“Some freeze damaged heads found in our Altus VT late last week,” tweeted David Marburger a small grains specialist at Oklahoma State University. “The damaged heads were turning white and were dried out. At the time <5% of heads were showing this. Most varieties were beginning heading with a few fully headed.”
Some freeze damaged heads found in our Altus VT late last week. The damaged heads (left) were turning white and were dried out. At the time <5% of heads were showing this. Most varieties were beginning heading with a few fully headed. pic.twitter.com/gSqs8becAA — David Marburger (@OSU_smallgrains) April 17, 2018
Fortunately, forecasters agree the bulk of the grain growing states should start to see warmer temperatures sticking around for the long term toward the end of the month.
