Oklahoma Wheat Crop Threatened By Dry Conditions

Associated Press

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) -- Wheat producers in northwest Oklahoma say a lack of rain is causing poor conditions for the wheat crop there.

Without significant rainfall in the next 10 days, Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Terry Peach says the state's average wheat production could drop from 140 million bushels to 80 million or less.

Wheat currently is at a critical stage known as "hollow stem," which occurs when the developing head is still below the soil surface. Rain is critical to further growth.

According to the National Weather Service in Norman, there is no rain predicted in the area for the next several days.

Woodward, Harper and Ellis counties all have received less than one-half inch of rain so far this year.