July 7, 2025
Oklahoma wheat harvest moved forward at a slow pace over the Fourth of July weekend, with rain showers affecting several parts of the Panhandle, northern and northeast Oklahoma at various times. In the Goodwell, Guymon and Hooker area, irrigated wheat harvest is still underway, but has been delayed due to last week’s rains.
In north central Oklahoma, little progress has been made. Producers have primarily been cutting to check moisture samples while contending with muddy conditions. In northeast Oklahoma, some harvest progress was made over the weekend, but evening showers on Sunday brought operations to a standstill again today.
Producers are now weighing their options as weeds become more of an issue in some fields. Test weights have dropped significantly in many parts of north central Oklahoma, now ranging from 56 to 58 pounds per bushel. Despite recent challenges, many producers have been surprised that test weights have held up as well as they have, given the season’s weather.
The statewide average test weight remains at 59 pounds per bushel, bolstered by heavier weights reported earlier in the season. Yields across the state are generally ranging from the mid-40s to mid-50s, though lower yields have been reported in areas affected by heavy rain.
Producers using intensive management practices have reported higher yields, ranging from the mid-60s to low 80s. While northern Oklahoma had promising wheat earlier in the season, many producers now expect some yield loss due to declining test weights. Protein levels have varied widely — from 9.8% to 14.2% — with the statewide average at 11.2%.
The Oklahoma Wheat Commission estimates the 2025 wheat harvest is 85% complete as of this report.
This will be the final harvest report of the season. While some fields remain, this summary is considered a fair representation of crop quality across the state. Some remaining fields may fall short of earlier quality benchmarks due to late-season weather challenges.
It should be noted that minor instances of sprout damage have been reported at a 1% to 3% level. However, in most areas, the crop is holding up well. If sprout damage worsens, producers may choose to divert affected grain to feed use.
North central Oklahoma
Garber/Kremlin/Hunter/Pond Creek – Producers have faced muddy conditions throughout harvest, with little progress over the past five days. Test weights have declined slightly, ranging from 55 to 58 pounds per bushel. Yields are coming in between the mid-40s and mid-50s, with intensively managed fields yielding in the mid-60s. Protein is averaging 11.2%. This region is approximately 57% harvested.
Tonkawa/Ponca City/Blackwell/Braman – Test weights are ranging from 56 to 58 pounds per bushel. Heavy rains over the past week have halted harvest progress. Early cuttings yielded between the low 40s and mid-50s. Severe flooding and hail damage have affected a large portion of this region, and several fields will likely be abandoned due to weed overgrowth. Protein on early cuttings is averaging 11.1%. This region is considered 52% harvested.
Northeast Oklahoma
Afton/Miami – Rain has been a persistent challenge in this region throughout harvest. However, a brief window at the beginning of the weekend allowed some progress. Rain showers on Sunday once again brought operations to a halt. This region produces two wheat classes — hard red winter and soft red winter — and is now 80% harvested.
- Hard red winter wheat – Test weights are averaging 56 pounds per bushel. Yields range from the mid-20s to mid-50s, depending on variety and location.
- Soft red winter wheat – Test weights are also averaging 56 pounds per bushel, with yields ranging from the mid-20s to mid-50s. A few producers have reported yields in the low 70s.
Wheat classes and what they’re used for
Hard red winter – A versatile wheat with excellent milling and baking characteristics for pan bread. It’s also a top choice for Asian noodles, hard rolls, flatbreads, general-purpose flour and cereal.
Soft red winter – A weak-gluten wheat with excellent milling and baking qualities, ideal for cookies, crackers, pretzels, pastries and flatbreads.
Panhandle
Balko/Goodwell/Guymon/Hooker – Dryland harvest is nearly complete across the Panhandle, with 98% reported as finished. A significant portion of irrigated wheat harvest has been completed in central areas around Balko. However, producers in Guymon and Hooker have been delayed due to rain and high humidity.
Dryland wheat yields have ranged from 20 to 50 bushels per acre, depending on location and variety. Irrigated wheat yields are coming in between 80 and 120 bushels per acre. Test weights for dryland wheat range from 55 to 62 pounds per bushel, while irrigated wheat is testing between 57 and 61 pounds per bushel. Protein averages in the Panhandle have been more variable than in past years, but many areas are seeing averages near 12%. The Panhandle region is approximately 75% harvested.
Below, see the 7-day forecast provided by the Oklahoma Mesonet.
NWS Days 1-5 Precipitation Forecast
The Days 1-5 Precipitation Forecast is produced by the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center for July 7-12, 2025.
