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Heat helps some crops progress
Oklahoma
Hot temperatures prevailed across the state during the week ending July 18, however, this warmer weather is having a favorable impact on crops according to the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service, July 19.
There are a few reports expressing fear of the heat depleting the moisture levels that has been so beneficial to crops. Topsoil moisture was 5 percent surplus, 67 percent adequate, 24 percent short, and 5 percent very short. Subsoil moisture was 4 percent surplus, 72 percent adequate, 19 percent short, and 5 percent very short. Days suitable for field work were 6.3.
The small grain harvest is complete. Oats and Wheat are at 79 percent plowed with the rye slightly ahead of them at 85 percent plowed.
Row crops were still looking good due to the moisture that was received during previous weeks. Sorghum headed increased 9 points this week and coloring doubled from last week to 6 percent. Sorghum conditions improved last week to 11 percent excellent, 60 percent good, 28 percent fair, and 1 percent poor. Soybean emergence went up 2 points from last week to 93 percent. Soybeans blooming increased 12 points from last week to 38 percent with soybeans setting pods at 15 percent. Soybean conditions were 14 percent excellent, 54 percent good, 29 percent fair and 3 percent poor. Corn silking increased 4 points to 64 percent with 42 percent of the corn in the dough stage, which is ahead of last year and the five year average. Eighty-nine percent of the corn was in good to excellent condition which is a slight improvement from last week. Peanuts pegging increased 11 points up to 75 percent which is behind last year's 90 percent and the five-year average of 77 percent. Thirty-six percent of the acreage was setting pods. Peanut conditions declined to 11 percent excellent, 61 percent good, and 28 percent fair to poor. Cotton squaring increased 15 points from last week to 80 percent which was consistent with the previous year. Setting bolls was ahead of last year and the five-year average. Cotton conditions also declined to 2 percent excellent, 49 percent good, 36 percent fair, and 13 percent poor to very poor.
Due to the heat and dryness producers were able to get into their hay fields to cut this past week. The third cutting of alfalfa went up 36 points to 73 percent cut. This compared to 68 percent last year and 54 percent for the five-year average. Other hay first cutting was 90 percent complete with the second cutting at 32 percent complete. Alfalfa and other hay were in mostly good condition.
Watermelons setting fruit was at 87 percent. Forty-five percent of the watermelon crop has been harvested. Watermelon conditions were mostly good to fair. Peaches were in good condition. Pecans were starting out with an average nut set. There are several reports of problems with webworms.
Livestock conditions were 28 percent excellent, 59 percent good, 12 percent fair, and 1 percent poor. Livestock insect activity was mostly moderate to light. The price for feeder steers and heifers dropped this week. Feeder steers less than 800 pounds went down $2.45 to $120.40 per cwt. The price for feeder heifers less than 800 pounds also decreased to $113.84 per cwt., a one dollar and thirty-nine cent drop.
Pasture conditions were at 24 percent excellent, 53 percent good, 20 percent fair, and 3 percent poor.
Date: 7/22/04
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