Combines Roll Through a Strange Harvest

Oklahoma wheat harvest is underway, but thin stands, dry spring weather, and global grain supplies are making this crop harder to read. In this episode of Red Dirt and Round Bales, Dave Deken visits with Pete Matheson of Matheson Farms near Billings, Oklahoma, about a wheat crop that has been all over the board — from fields in the 20-bushel range to others that may do much better. Dave also talks with Todd Hubbs Ph.D., Oklahoma State University Extension grain marketing specialist, about why a small hard red winter wheat crop does not automatically mean higher local prices, especially when global wheat supplies and export competition are still shaping the market. Key takeaways: A hot, dry March pushed wheat development early and limited tillering in parts of north-central Oklahoma. Some fields are thin, but larger heads may help offset part of the yield loss. Oklahoma wheat prices are being shaped by local basis, futures movement, and global supply. A short U.S. hard red winter wheat crop still has to compete with wheat from the Black Sea, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and later-season Australian production. Marketing decisions matter when yields are uneven and prices have already pulled back from recent highs. Timestamped rundown 00:00–00:52 — Dave opens the episode from Oklahoma and sets up wheat harvest across the Southern Great Plains. He explains that he has been visiting Oklahoma wheat fields while filming crop updates for the Oklahoma Wheat Commission.00:52–02:11 — Pete Matheson describes the crop near Billings as extremely mixed. Some wheat is running in the 20s, while other fields may be closer to 50 bushels. He points to an unusual March with very little rain and near-100-degree days that pushed the crop ahead too fast.02:11–02:47 — Dave thanks Pete and notes the fifth generation of the Matheson family was cutting wheat during the interview. He shifts from harvest conditions to the marketing decisions that come after the crop leaves the combine.02:47–04:22 — Todd Hubbs Ph.D. explains the wheat market picture. Oklahoma and Texas are dealing with a poor winter wheat crop, but global supplies and overseas production are limiting price upside. He walks through futures, basis, EU conditions, Black Sea wheat, North Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and possible El Niño impacts.04:22–04:59 — Dave closes by thanking Hubbs, Pete, and the Matheson family, then points listeners to the Oklahoma Wheat Commission crop update and Red Dirt and Round Bales. Red Dirt And Round Bales website