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Warmer weather, lack of moisture not helpful for pastures and crops
Oklahoma
Warm, sunny weather allowed most farmers ample opportunity to work in the fields during the week ending April 4, as there were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service, April 5.
Most reporters commented that they need more rain in their areas. Only two districts reported any rainfall last week and that was just a trace. Warm conditions have further decreased soil moisture levels and both topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies declined from last week. Topsoil moisture was at 2 percent surplus, 65 percent adequate, 29 percent short and 4 percent very short. Subsoil moisture was at 1 percent surplus, 61 percent adequate, 32 percent short and 6 percent very short. Temperatures averaged in the mid 50's throughout the state.
Wheat and oat conditions changed very little from last week and were rated as mostly fair to good. Winter Wheat was 10 percent excellent, 48 percent good, 30 percent fair, 9 percent poor and 3 percent very poor. Weather conditions for Wheat have been sporadic throughout the state. Some counties were reporting good progress with favorable weather conditions and the crop outlook was looking good. However, other counties were reporting a lack of moisture and dry conditions which was stressing the growth of wheat. Thin stands were also reported due to army worm infestations. Wheat progressed from 62 percent jointing last week to 82 percent jointing this week. Oat condition was at 5 percent excellent, 41 percent good, 40 percent fair, 11 percent poor and 3 percent very poor with 98 percent of the acreage planted and 33 percent jointing. Rye condition was 12 percent excellent, 58 percent good, 21 percent fair, 7 percent poor and 3 percent very poor. Ninety percent of the rye crop was jointed.
Producers made good progress with their seedbed preparation for summer crops. Twenty two percent of the corn was planted, 3 points higher than last year and 6 points higher than the five-year average. Seedbed preparation increased 15 points from last week and topped the five year average by 5 points. Cotton seedbed prepared, at 59 percent, was one point below last year, but 6 points above the five-year average. Peanut seedbed preparation was 32 percent this week, which was a nine point increase from the previous week. Soybean seedbed preparation was at 35 percent, up from both last year and the five year average. Sorghum progress lagged behind normal trends. Twenty-three percent of the seedbeds were prepared, four points below the five-year average and 8 points below this time last year.
Livestock conditions were very similar to last week with 92 percent reported in fair to excellent condition. Only 8 percent were in poor or very poor condition. Milder weather continued to help livestock conditions. The price for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $97.51 per cwt., down slightly from last week. The price for feeder heifers less than 800 pounds was down $3.81 from last week to average $86.41 per cwt.
Pasture and range conditions were mostly unchanged from last week. Seventy- four percent of the pastures were in fair to good condition, and an additional 5 percent were in excellent condition. Seventeen percent of the pastures were in poor condition and 4 percent were very poor. The mild, warmer temperatures have prompted pastures to begin to green up, however, more rain is needed.
Date: 4/6/04
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