Early Wheat Harvest Yields Showing Effects Of Weather

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- An April freeze, recent rainy weather and disease have hobbled early wheat yields but elevator operators are optimistic about this year's harvest.<br/><br/>Officials say test weights

Thursday, June 7th 2007, 6:42 am

By: News On 6

ENID, Okla. (AP) -- An April freeze, recent rainy weather and disease have hobbled early wheat yields but elevator operators are optimistic about this year's harvest.

Officials say test weights on the wheat have come in low so far, but warmer, drier weather may have arrived just in time to help.

Yield amounts have ranged from 56 to 57.9 pounds per bushel, below the 60 pounds needed to be graded Number 1.

Rick Weathers of Bison Co-op Association in Bison says test weights there have ranged from 55 to 61 pounds.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service issued a wheat harvest forecast for Oklahoma last month. It estimated about 161 million bushels, up 97% from last year's dismal 81.6 million bushels.

Lee Redman of Carrier Mill and Elevator says he doesn't see that estimate holding true.

But he noted that later-maturing varieties are faring well and he expects better results as the harvest continues