Oklahoma Expecting Bumper Wheat Crop

Oklahoma winter wheat farmers are starting to harvest, and agriculture officials say good weather has made for a much stronger crop this year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasts that Oklahoma will harvest 154.8 million bushels over 4.3 million acres. Oklahoma on average produces 110 million bushels per year.

The harvest began several weeks earlier than usual, with the mild spring providing ideal conditions for wheat to grow and ripen.

Wheat farmer Don Schieber told The Oklahoman he was worried about the quality of his wheat, but tests for moisture levels and weight show it to be fine.

Oklahoma yields are expected to be 36 bushels per acre, compared with 22 bushels last year. Growers planted an estimated 4.3 million acres of wheat, up from 3.2 million last year.