Published: August 28, 2008 07:08 am      

Area farmers look at sesame for new crop

Sesame is becoming a hot new crop in Oklahoma.

The grain’s growing popularity is due in part to its durability, according to Shaun Colvard, manager at Wheeler Brothers Grain Company, which is hosting a sesame crop tour in Seiling Friday morning.

“It’s drought tolerant,” Colvard said, noting that “the more 100 degree days we have, the better it does.”

Other benefits to the crop include “low input on fertilizer and chemicals,” he said.

In addition, sesame “makes an excellent rotation crop for wheat,” Colvard said, noting that sesame can be used to break insect, weed and disease cycles in wheat.

“You can raise better quality wheat after sesame,” he said.

Overall, Colvard said sesame “has a lot of promise,” especially since “the price is good and it’s in high demand.”

Wheeler Brothers wants to help educate area producers about the grain’s many benefits, which is why the company is hosting the crop tour Friday, Colvard said. The company is also hosting the tour in hopes of increasing the crop’s acreage around the state, he said.

“We’d like to have 100,000 acres throughout the state by next year,” Colvard said, noting that currently there are “maybe 25,000” acres planted.

“We’re just trying to give people different options,” he said. “We want them to know sesame is something they should consider.”

The tour, which is set for 10 a.m. Friday, will begin at Jay Weeks’ field, which is located approximately two and a half miles east of Seiling on Shepherd Street.

Colvard said there will be signs posted to help attendees find their way, but for detailed directions they can contact Wheeler Brothers at (580) 922-7391. He said the public can also call the number if they have any other questions about the tour as well as to reserve their spot on the tour.

The tour is free and open to the public and following the tour a special lunch will be served at the Seiling Community Center.

“Everybody’s welcome,” Colvard said, noting that the tour will be a great opportunity to learn about this up-and-coming crop in Northwest Oklahoma.