Freeze may hurt state wheat crops

Apr 30, 2009      The Daily Oklahoman

Debbie Blossom

Apr. 30, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- A bone-dry bout with Mother Nature topped off by a hard, late freeze this year is going to leave many Oklahoma wheat producers with a less-than-bountiful harvest.

The early April freeze that hit plants already suffering from a devastating drought has severely damaged many fields and is expected to noticeably cut into this year's yield.

"Damage exists throughout the state," said Mike Schulte, executive director of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission. But the severity depends on location, as well as when fields were planted and the variety of wheat.

The effects of severe weather are worse in the southwest part of the state, he said, where some fields have between 80 and 90 percent damage and "the crop will be a complete loss," he said.

In the central portion of the state, the damage ranges from 40 percent to 60 percent in Canadian County and up to 90 percent in some fields in Kingfisher County. The northern portions of the state fared the best.

Jeff Krehbiel, a Hydro wheat farmer, planted 1,400 acres on his land 60 miles west of Oklahoma City, but expects to only harvest between 800 and 1,000 acres this year.

He is waiting for his crop insurance adjuster to check out his crop, so he isn't sure of the extent of the damage. But this year, that $24,000 policy likely will pay off.

Taking a gamble

Krehbiel said after more than two decades planting wheat, he has only needed crop insurance twice.

And that's where so many Oklahoma farmers take a gamble.

Huge price increases last year for fertilizer and fuel is why some producers either didn't or couldn't afford crop insurance.

"If you need it, it's great. If you don't, it makes you wonder," Krehbiel said. "It's a tough decision to make."

Krehbiel, who is also a district commissioner for the wheat commission, said there are many wheat producers who don't have insurance. And depending on the amount of damage to their plants, "It takes many years to recover from a loss like this."

Schulte said some wheat plants can produce even after suffering freeze damage, and many producers won't know the extent until harvest time in May.

Extension agents for the Oklahoma Grain and Feed Association are visiting producers across the state to get a better feel for the economic impact on the state and to estimate this year's yield.

No matter what the outcome, Schulte said, "it's definitely going to be a challenging year for wheat producers."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0148-34543374

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