Wheat Crop Overview

At the time of writing this report, 2020 Oklahoma wheat production is estimated to be approximately 113 million bushels, which is about 3% higher than 2019 production and 62% greater than 2018 production (Table 1). The 4.3 million acres planted in the 2020 crop year represented a 2% increase compared to the previous year and was 14% lower than the previous 10-year average. The number of harvested acres is estimated at 2.70 million, which is 2% lower than in 2019 (Table 1). The statewide average yield is projected at 42 bushels per acre, which could be a new state record. This is 2 bushels per acre higher than the 2019 state average and 11 bushels per acre greater than the previous 10-year average.

Table 1. Oklahoma wheat production for 2018, 2019, and 2020 as estimated by USDA NASS, July 2020.

For some parts of the state, wheat was planted into good moisture. However, some other regions were extremely dry (central west) and wheat was either not planted in a timely fashion or had limited growth in the fall. On the other hand, wheat planted in northeastern Oklahoma faced emergence issues due to excessive moisture. November was cooler than normal which also limited wheat growth across the state. Most fields where wheat was planted earlier developed crown roots but top growth was less than normal. Many of these fields had thin stands and less forage than desired to feed cattle for dual-purpose producers. Fields planted late were at the 1- to 2-leaf stage with their initial (seminal) roots developing in November. Overall, wheat growth was slower than expected for a typical year. Moderate temperatures and good moisture in some regions led to good fall forage production but lower than expected production in other regions of the state (for more information see CR 2141, Fall Forage Production and First Hollow Stem Date for Small Grain Varieties during the 2019-2020 Crop Year). No diseases were observed in the fall, but fall armyworm infestations were observed in early-planted wheat in the central region.

Moderate winter temperatures and abundant soil moisture allowed the under-developed wheat to add tillers and develop a canopy. With winter being warmer than normal, first hollow stem arrived about two weeks earlier than the long-term aver-age (March 6th) and almost one month earlier than in 2019 (see CR 2141). As a result, dual-purpose producers worked with a shorter grazing period.

A combination of factors including leaf spot diseases, physiological leaf spotting, and nitrogen deficiency (mostly caused by the loss of nitrogen due to wetness) resulted in yellow wheat in many fields from jointing to the flag leaf stage. Foliar fungal diseases had a slow start in the spring. A low incidence of stripe rust was observed in early March, but leaf spot diseases (tan spot, Septoria) in no-till wheat were the most prevalent diseases in Oklahoma. In addition to these diseases, army cutworms were found in some wheat fields across the state.

Wheat started to head around the end of March and early April in southwest and south-central Oklahoma, which made it susceptible to late-spring freezes. Such a freeze occurred on April 15 when many wheat fields were at flowering, damaging floral tissue and producing sterile heads. In areas with freeze damage, most heads remained green but were “empty” with no grain being formed. Many producers cut wheat for hay. In other areas, lack of water limited grain development. Also, a severe flag leaf burn was observed for some varieties in central to north-central Oklahoma due to genetics and environmental stresses such as freeze and drought.

Cool and moist weather extended into the late spring that promoted widespread development of both rusts (leaf and stripe) and the leaf spot diseases (Septoria and tan spot). In some instances, severe leaf spotting by Septoria was found in the upper canopy including the flag leaf, which is atypical in Oklahoma. Stripe rust occurred at low pressure and leaf rust came in late in the season mainly in the Northern region. Fusarium head blight (scab) occurred at levels typical for northeastern Oklahoma and was not reported in other parts of the state. Barley yellow dwarf and wheat streak mosaic were sporadic and were confirmed at only a few locations scattered across western Oklahoma. Powdery mildew was observed at low incidence and severity as compared to most years. In summary, diseases were quite active in Oklahoma during 2020 with leaf spots being the most prominent. The mild weather improved yield prospects by the time produc-ers were making fungicide decisions, and many producers chose to protect yield potential with an application. Data from fungicide treated and nontreated variety trial comparisons at Lahoma provide an indication of the impact of foliar disease on grain yield and suggest that applying a foliar fungicide was a profitable decision for many wheat farmers planting varieties susceptible to rusts and Septoria diseases in 2020.

Harvest commenced immediately after Memorial Day weekend. The weather was favorable across the state, and harvest was completed in a month. Grain yields varied from extremely low yields (10 to 20 bushels per acre) in southwest and south-central OK, mostly due to freeze damage, to above-average yields in the central (mid-40s to mid-50s, bushels per acre) and north-central/northwest regions (40 to 60 bushels per acre). Yields on irrigated fields at the Panhandle region varied mostly from 50 to 75 bushels per acre. Test weight was good, and values ranged from 60 to 64 pounds per bushel. Wheat protein ranged from 8.0 to 15.5% across the state, with a state average of 11%.

Testing Methods and Data Interpretation

Testing Methods

Seed was packaged and planted in the same condition as it was delivered from the respective seed companies. Most seed was treated with an insecticide plus a fungicide, but the formulation and rate of seed treatment used was not confirmed or reported in this document.

Plots were seven rows wide with 7.5-inch row spacing and were sown with a Great Plains no-till drill modified for cone-seeded, small-plot research. Except for dryland locations in the Panhandle, plots were planted 25 feet long and trimmed to 19 feet at harvest with the plot combine. Panhandle dryland locations were 35 feet long at planting and trimmed to 29 feet at harvest. Wheel tracks were included in the plot area for yield calculation, for a total plot width of 60 inches. Experimental design for all sites other than Apache and Lahoma was a randomized complete block with four replications. Apache and Lahoma were a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block with four replications where whole plots were fungicide treated or non-treated, and sub-plots were wheat variety.

Plots received 5 gallons per acre of 10-34-0 at planting. The dual-purpose (DP) trials at El Reno and Walters, and for-age trials were sown at 120 pounds per acre. The Goodwell irrigated trial was sown at 90 pounds per acre and the other locations in the Panhandle (Balko, Hooker and Keys) were sown at 45 pounds per acre. All other locations were sown at 60 pounds per acre. Grazing intensity, nitrogen fertilization, and insect and weed control decisions were made on a location-by-location basis and reflect standard management practices for the area.

Plots were harvested with a Winterstieger Delta small plot combine. Grain weight, test weight, and moisture content were collected from each plot, and grain yields and protein concentration were corrected to 12% moisture content. Grain moisture at all sites was generally below 12%, and maximum and minimum grain moisture for all plots at a location typically ranged no more than 2%. The plots at Thomas were not har-vested due to waterlogging. Plots at Apache and Chickasha were lost due to the severe mid-April freeze.

Data Interpretation

Yield, test weight and protein data for each location and regional summary were analyzed using the appropriate sta-tistical methods. At the bottom of each table, the mean and least significant difference (LSD) values are reported. The LSD is a test statistic that aids in determining whether there is a true difference in yield, test weight, and protein. In this report, one can be 95% confident that the difference between two varieties is real if the difference is greater than the LSD value. Data that is not significant is indicted by “NS.” For example, if the LSD value is 4 bushels per acre in a trial which Variety A yielded 30 bushels per acre and Variety B yielded 25, then Variety A would be considered to have a statistically higher yield. However, if Variety C yielded 27 bushels per acre, then Variety A and Variety C would be considered to have a similar yield. In that same example trial, there is a 5% chance that the 4-bushels-per-acre difference between Variety A and Variety B does not truly exist, but random chance caused the 5-bushels-per-acre difference. These chance factors may include differences in fertility, moisture availability, and dis-eases for example. To aid in determining the varieties with the highest yields, test weights, and proteins, values highlighted in gray do not differ statistically from the highest value within a column. The performance of a variety may vary from year to year, even at the same location. Tests over two or more years and over multiple locations more accurately predict the variety performance.

Additional Information on the Web

A copy of this publication as well as additional information about wheat management can be found at:

• Website: www.wheat.okstate.edu
• Blog: www.osuwheat.com
• Twitter: @OSU_smallgrains
• Facebook: OSU Small Grains
• YouTube: OSU Small Grains

Funding Provided By:

• Oklahoma Wheat Commission
• Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation
• OSU Cooperative Extension Service
• OSU Agricultural Experiment Station
• Entry fees from participating seed companies

Figure 1. Performance test locations.

Area Extension Staff

• Brian Pugh, Area Agronomist, Northeast District
• Josh Bushong, Area Agronomist, Northwest District

County Extension Educators

• Thomas Puffinbarger, Alfalfa County
• Loren Sizelove, Beaver County
• David Nowlin, Caddo County
• Kyle Worthington, Canadian County
• Justin Wagner, Cimarron County
• Kimbreley Davis, Cotton County
• Ron Wright, Custer County
• Rick Nelson, Garfield County
• Shiann McCracken, Grady County
• Sarah Donahue, Grant County
• Darrell McBee, Harper County
• Gary Strickland, Jackson and Greer counties
• Shannon Mallory, Kay County
• Bryan Kennedy, Kingfisher County
• Troy Gosney, Major County
• Kathy Enyart, Ottawa County
• Dr. Britt Hicks, Texas County & Area Extension Livestock Specialist
• Greg Highfill, Woods County

Station Superintendents

• Erich Wehrenberg, Agronomy Research Station, Stillwater
• David Victor, North Central Research Station, Lahoma Cameron Murley, Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Goodwell
• Michael Pettijohn, South Central Research Station, Chickasha
• Mike Schulz, Southwest Research and Extension Center, Altus

Assistant Extension Specialist

• Sumit Sharma, Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Goodwell

Visiting Research Scholar

• Luiz Otavio Pradella

We sincerely thank our variety trial cooperators for dona-tion of land, time and resources. Variety trial cooperators not otherwise listed in this document include:

• Bryan Vail, Apache
• Jerad Bradt & Wes Mallory, Alva
• Brownie Brown, Thomas

Table 2. 2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests region summary.

Table 2. 2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests region summary. (Cont'd)

Table 2.2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests region summary. (Cont'd)

¹ Data for varieties reported from the Altus, Goodwell Irrigated, Lahoma and Lahoma Fungicide trials are included in this analysis. Data from Chickasha was not included due to severe freeze damage during heading.

Table 3. 2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests summary.

Table 3. 2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests summary. (Cont'd)

Table 3.2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests summary. (Cont'd)

Table 3. 2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests summary. (Cont'd)

Table 3. 2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests summary. (Cont'd)

Table 3.2019-2020 Oklahoma wheat variety performance tests summary. (Cont'd)

Table 4. Summary of Regional Trial Locations.  

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the highest value within a column. Data for varieties reported from the Altus, Goodwell Irrigated, Lahoma and Lahoma Fungicide trials are included in this analysis. Data from Chickasha was not included due to severe freeze damage during heading.

Table 5. Afton Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Greg Leonard

Planting & harvest dates: 10/4/19 & 6/16/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: conventional

Extension Educator: Kathy Enyart
Previous crop: Corn
Soil Type: Taloka silt loam
Soil test: pH= 7.4, N= 52, P= 139, K= 277

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the highest value within a column. Severe pressure from Fu-sarium head blight (scab) disease.

Table 6.  Altus Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: OSU Southwest Res. & Ext. Center

Planting & harvest dates: 9/30/19 & 6/1/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Gary Strickland
Previous crop: Wheat
Soil type: Hollister silt clay loam
Soil test: pH=7.5, N= 64, P= 52, K= 913

Table 6. Altus Wheat Variety Trial. (Cont'd)

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the highest value within a column. Moderate pressure of stripe rust and septoria diseases. There was no lodging across the trial. Average rating for freeze damage was 49% and late maturing varieties seemed to be less affected by the mid-April freeze event.

Table 7. Balko Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Teryl Rorabaugh

Planting & harvest dates: 9/27/19 & 6/17/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Loren Sizelove
Previous crop: Fallow
Soil type: Ulysses silt loam

Soil test: pH= 8.0, N= 41, P= 33, K= 724

Table 7. Balko Wheat Variety Trial. (Cont'd)

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the highest value within a column.

Table 8. Buffalo Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: NRCS

Planting & harvest dates: 10/15/19 & 6/11/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: no-till

Extension Educator: Darrell McBee
Previous crop: Fallow
Soil Type: St. Paul silt loam
Soil test: pH= 7.4, N= 45, P= 50, K= 670

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column.

Table 9. Cherokee Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Kenneth Failes
Planting & harvest dates: 11/01/19 & 6/11/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Tommy Puffinbarger
Previous crop: Wheat
Soil type: Dale silt loam
Soil test: pH= 6.9, N= 43, P= 47, K= 616 

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column.

Table 10. El Reno Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Jerry Lingo
Planting & harvest dates: 10/02/19 & 6/8/20
Management: Dual-purpose
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Kyle Worthington
Previous crop: Wheat
Soil Type: Bethany silt loam
Soil test: pH=6.3, N= 85, P= 31, K= 391

 Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the highest value within a column. Plots were grazed from Jan. 16, 2020 to Feb. 1, 2020 at a stocking rate of 280 pounds per acre, and from Feb. 2, 2020 to Feb. 24, 2020 at a stocking rate of 396 pounds per acre.

Table 11. Goodwell Irrigated Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: OK Panhandle Res. & Ext. Center

Planting & harvest dates: 9/26/19 & 6/18/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Dr. Britt Hicks
Previous crop: Fallow
Soil Type: Gruver clay loam
Soil test: pH= 7.6, N= 93, P= 21, K= 1164 

Table 11. Goodwell Irrigated Wheat Variety Trial. (Cont'd)

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column. Moderate pressure of brown wheat mite.

Table 12. Homestead Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Brook Strader

Planting & harvest dates: 10/7/19 & 6/8/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Troy Gosney
Previous crop: Fallow
Soil Type: Canadian fine sandy loam
Soil test: pH= 6.1, N= 46, P= 40, K= 400

Table 12. Homestead Wheat Variety Trial. (Cont'd)

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column.

Table 13. Hooker Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Dan Herald
Planting & harvest dates: 9/26/19 & 6/17/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Dr. Britt Hicks
Previous crop: Fallow
Soil Type: Dalhart fine sandy loam
Soil test: pH= 6.8, N= 106, P= 61, K= 738

Table 13. Hooker Wheat Variety Trial. (Cont'd)

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column.

Table 14. Keyes Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: J.B. Stewart
Planting & harvest dates: 9/26/19 & 6/17/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Justin Wagner
Previous crop: Fallow
Soil Type: Sherm clay loam
Soil test: pH= 6.3, N= 190, P= 40, K= 865

Table 14. Keyes Wheat Variety Trial. (Cont'd)

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column. Average shattering (SHAT) score was measured on a scale from 1 to 10 with 1 indicating no shattering.

Table 15. Kildare Wheat Variety Trial. 

Cooperator: Don Schieber

Planting & harvest dates: 10/16/19 & 6/9/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: No-till

Extension Educator: Shannon Mallory
Previous crop: Wheat
Soil Type: Tabler silt loam
Soil test: pH= 6.7, N= 29, P= 102, K= 380

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column.

Table 16. Kingfisher Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: Tary Helt

Planting & harvest dates: 11/04/19 & 6/6/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Bryan Kennedy
Previous crop: Wheat
Soil Type: Tilman silt loam
Soil test: pH=6.2, N= 46, P= 62, K= 613

Notes: Grain yield and protein concentration were adjusted to 12% moisture content. Shaded values are not statistically different from the high-est value within a column.

Table 17. Lahoma Regional Wheat Variety Trial.

Cooperator: OSU North Central Research Station
Planting & harvest dates: 10/14/19 & 6/10/20
Management: Grain-only
Tillage: Conventional

Extension Educator: Rick Nelson
Previous crop: Wheat
Soil Type: Pond Creek silt loam
Soil test: pH= 5.6, N= 175, P= 79 , K= 424