Custom grain harvesters appear to be in short supply in Oklahoma. So the Oklahoma agriculture department is asking custom harvesters planning or willing to cut wheat in the state to be included in a new online directory. Wheat harvest is expected to start this week and the agency hopes to help farmers locate harvest crews.

Several producers have expressed concerns that they are having trouble getting commitments from custom harvesters this year, says Terry Peach, Oklahoma ag secretary. This is due to a variety of factors, including some harvesters leaving the business, high fuel prices and increasingly hard-to-find labor.

Custom harvesters are encouraged to contact Glen Schickedanz at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry at 800-580-6543 or glen.schickedanz@oda.state.ok.us. The mailing address is Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, attn. Glen Schickedanz, 2800 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

The directory will be available online as soon as the agency begins receiving information. The Web address is www.oda.state.ok.us. Producers who do not have online capability may call the toll-free number for information.

Information listed will include the custom harvesters’ contact information and number of combines available.