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Weather helps crops progress in early May
Oklahoma
Warm, dry weather helped move crops along during the week ending May 9, and the combination of wind, no rain, and sun have led to a decrease in soil moisture across the state, according to the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service, May 10.
Topsoil moisture was at 2 percent surplus, 59 percent adequate, 33 percent short and 6 percent very short. Subsoil moisture was at 3 percent surplus, 62 percent adequate, 27 percent short and 8 percent very short. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Wheat development continues ahead of schedule due to the windy and warmer weather. Ninety- seven percent of the Wheat has headed. Small grain harvest is expected to be earlier than normal especially in the central and southwest districts. Moisture is needed immediately to maintain yields. Thirty-three percent of the Wheat was in the soft dough stage compared to the 5-year average of 23 percent. Wheat condition was at 9 percent excellent, 45 percent good, 32 percent fair, 10 percent poor, and 4 percent very poor. Rye condition went down slightly from last week at 11 percent excellent, 25 percent good, 22 percent fair, 9 percent poor and 3 percent very poor. Soft dough stage in rye jumped 20 points to 46 percent. Oat conditions were at 1 percent excellent, 43 percent good, 43 percent fair, 10 percent poor, and 3 percent very poor. Oats jointing was up 9 points from last week to 92 percent. Oats heading and soft dough were also both ahead of last year at 53 and 16 respectively.
Rain is needed to aid in the germination and growth of newly planted crops. Sorghum seedbed preparation increased 7 points from 45 percent to 52 percent. Twenty-one percent of the crop was reported planted, increasing 8 points from previous week. Sorghum also had 7 percent of the crop emerged. Corn planting was at 75 percent, up 21 points from last week but down from the five-year average. Corn emergence increased 18 points from the previous week to 55. Soybean seedbed preparation reached 77 percent and planting increased 11 points to 30 percent from the previous week. Ten percent of soybeans had emerged. Peanuts had 39 percent planted, 3 points above last year, and 14 points above the five-year average. Ninety-five percent of the cotton seedbeds had been prepared, slightly higher than normal. Thirty-four percent of the cotton was planted compared to the historic average of 23 percent and 7 percent was emerged.
With open weather, harvesting of alfalfa and other hay was very active this week. The first cutting of alfalfa was at 74 percent, up 33 points from last week and 20 points above the five-year average. Alfalfa conditions were at 17 percent excellent, 58 percent good, 20 percent fair, and 5 percent poor. Other hay was slightly above the historic trend with 30 percent with first cutting complete. Last year other hay first cutting was at 22 percent and 23 percent is the 5-year average. Conditions for other hay were at 11 percent excellent, 50 percent good, 34 percent fair, 4 percent poor, and 1 percent very poor.
Watermelons were 53 percent planted statewide, below the five-year average of 66 percent.
Livestock conditions stayed consistent with last week. Livestock insect activity was 82 percent light to moderate. Four percent reported heavy activity and 16 percent reported no insect activity. The price for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $105.88 per cwt., up $3.37 from last week. The price for feeder heifers less than 800 pounds was $98.86 cwt., an increase of $3.08 from last week. This is the highest prices have been since December 2003.
Pastures in the northwest are recovering from earlier freeze damage, however, rain is needed. Pasture conditions were rated as mostly good to fair. Conditions were at 12 percent excellent, 47 percent good, 30 percent fair, 9 percent poor and 2 percent very poor.
Date: 5/13/04
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