Oklahoma

Oklahoma pastures were beginning to turn green again following the much needed rainfall received over the previous week and the week ending Aug. 21, and, all nine districts received over one-half inch of rain with some districts reporting more than two inches, according to the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service, Aug. 22

The rains significantly improved topsoil moisture which reported 65 percent as adequate to surplus. On the previous report, only 35 percent of topsoil moisture was adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture also increased with 48 percent rated as adequate to surplus. Some of the weekly reports arrived before weekend rains which influenced the soil moisture categories in the tables below. There were 4.1 days suitable for field work last week.

Seedbed preparations for the 2006 small grain crops were in full swing. Wheat plowed was at 96 percent and seedbed prepared was at 33 percent. Thirty-four percent of the seedbeds for oats were prepared and 40 percent of rye seedbeds were prepared. Many respondents indicated that small grain planting could begin as early as this week.

Corn conditions dropped slightly. Sixty-seven percent of the corn crop was in good to excellent condition compared to 72 percent last week. Thirty-nine percent of the corn crop was mature which was only 1 point behind normal. Ten percent of the corn was harvested. Sorghum headed was 69 percent complete. Sorghum coloring jumped 13 points to 36 percent. Sorghum reaching maturity was at 8 percent. Soybeans blooming was at 86 percent and 73 percent of the soybeans were setting pods. Soybeans reaching maturity increased 12 points to 15 percent. Peanuts setting pods recorded a 16 point increase to 93 percent. Peanuts reaching maturity was 2 points ahead of normal at 12 percent. Ninety-nine percent of all cotton was squaring and 95 percent were setting bolls.

Hay conditions remained mostly fair to good. Hay supplies were rated as mostly average. However, the east central and southeast districts reported hay supplies as 55 percent and 82 percent below average, respectively. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 73 percent complete. The fifth cutting was 11 points ahead of normal at 13 percent. The second cutting of other hay was 59 percent complete which was slightly below normal.

Eighty-two percent of the watermelon crop has been harvested. Watermelon conditions were mostly fair to good.

The recent rains received began turning many of the state's pastures green again. Pasture and range condition increased slightly, but was still rated as mostly fair to good.

Livestock marketings were rated as average. Death loss of cattle was average. Livestock insect activity was light to moderate. Feeder steers less than 800 pounds were $114.36 per cwt. and feeder heifers less than 800 pounds were $107.47 per cwt.

Date: 8/25/05