By AP
Oklahoma City, OK – Wheat harvest begins in Okla., small crop forecast
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The wheat harvest has begun in Oklahoma with the first load being gathered near Grandfield in southwestern Oklahoma.
The crop is expected to be small because of the ongoing drought. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is forecasting a harvest of just less than 75 million bushels. That's down from nearly 121 million bushels last year and is lower than the 77 million bushels harvested in 2009 when a severe freeze damaged the crop.
Oklahoma Wheat Commission executive director Mike Schulte says the U.S.D.A. forecast may be optimistic. He told The Oklahoman that some farmers are deciding to turn in their crop for insurance rather than harvest it.
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Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.