In Ironic Twist, Drought-Ridden Oklahoma Wheat Harvest On Hold For Storms

In what may be considered an ironic twist, the start of harvesting the drought-damaged Oklahoma wheat crop has been delayed by rain.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates this year's wheat crop will produce 62.7 million bushels, down 41 percent from last year. The USDA estimates about 3.3 million acres of wheat will be harvested in Oklahoma this year with an average yield of 19 bushels per acre.

That would be the worst wheat crop since 1957 when 43 million bushels were harvested.

The harvest began Thursday near Frederick in Tillman County, but was delayed because of storms on Friday. Cassidy Grain co-owner Mike Cassidy in Frederick told The Oklahoman  that the rain is too late to help the area's wheat fields.