Oklahoma

Every district in the state received at least trace amounts of rainfall during the week ending Sept. 18, with the exception of the Panhandle, rain amounts were around one to 2 inches, according to the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service, Sept. 19.

The rains boosted soil moisture levels considerably as topsoil and subsoil moisture rated as adequate to surplus reached 73 and 68 percent, respectively. The moisture also allowed the row crops to either maintain their condition or increase slightly. There were 4.8 days suitable for field work last week.

Seedbed preparations continued to make progress throughout the week. There were some reports of some seedbeds washing out due to the heavy rains in Southwestern Oklahoma. Statewide, Wheat seedbed preparations remained ahead of normal by 2 points at 86 percent. Twenty-two percent of the Wheat was planted. Wheat was just beginning to emerge across the state. Some respondents indicated that Wheat planted will progress rapidly over the next week as farmers will try to get the remaining Wheat planted following the recent rains. Oat seedbed preparations were 64 percent complete while planting was off to a slow start at 2 percent. Eighty-seven percent of the rye seedbed preparations were complete, 42 percent of the rye was planted, and 18 percent had emerged by weeks end.

Corn reaching maturity jumped 15 points to 80 percent complete. Corn harvest was nearly at the halfway mark. The Panhandle, the largest corn district, increased 8 points to 16 percent of the corn harvested by weeks end. Sorghum headed increased 3 points to 94 percent while sorghum turning color was 2 points below normal at 73 percent. Sorghum reaching maturity and harvested at 32 and 18 percent, respectively, were both behind normal. Most of the soybean pods have been set. Soybeans reaching maturity were 4 points behind normal at 45 percent. Nineteen percent of the soybeans were harvested. Peanuts reaching maturity increased 13 points, but still remained slightly behind normal. Peanuts digging began in some areas and was 2 percent complete by weeks end. Cotton opening bolls was 41 percent complete which was still 17 points behind normal.

Both alfalfa and other hay conditions were mostly good to fair. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was nearly complete while the fifth cutting increased 6 points to 56 percent. The sixth cutting of alfalfa was just underway. The second cutting of other hay was up 5 points to 75 percent complete. This was 3 points behind normal.

Watermelon harvest was virtually complete. Pecan condition was mostly fair to good and the nut set was rated as light to average. Some respondents in the Southeast district reported that pecan trees were shedding nuts because of the dry conditions.

Overall, pasture and range conditions were mostly good to fair. The Southeast district once again reported pasture and range condition as mostly very poor to poor, and respondents indicated that more rain will be needed for pasture and range conditions to improve.

Livestock conditions were mostly good. Livestock marketings were rated as average overall, however, the Panhandle rated livestock marketings as high. Death loss of cattle was mostly light to average. Livestock insect activity was mostly light. Feeder steers less than 800 pounds were $116.87 per cwt, a $0.34 decrease from last week. Feeder heifers less than 800 pounds were $110.18 per cwt, a $1.80 increase from last week.