Wheat harvest underway

Oklahoma

Wheat harvest began in Southern and Central Oklahoma during the week ending May 21, which was well ahead of normal, according to the Oklahoma Agricultural Statistics Service, May 22.

Portions of the state experienced record breaking high temperatures during the week and received little precipitation. Producers were hoping for more rain as the hot temperatures and high winds had diminished soil moisture supplies. Topsoil moisture decreased last week but was still mostly in the adequate to short range. Subsoil moisture also decreased from last week with 78 percent in the short to very short range. There were 6.3 days suitable for field work.

Wheat condition decreased slightly during the week and was still rated mostly poor to very poor. Despite the hot weather received last week, cool evening temperatures allowed the third kernel of grains to fill. Wheat viruses were still being reported in some areas. Nearly all Wheat and rye had reached the soft dough stage of development by week's end. Oats in the soft dough stage jumped 23 points from last week to reach 60 percent. Oat heading was at 72 percent, slightly behind normal.

With the recent hot temperatures and lack of rainfall, some producers were irrigating row crops much earlier than normal. Soybean seedbed preparation was at 77 percent, while peanuts were winding down. Peanuts planted advanced significantly from the previous week and had reached 45 percent, but was still 26 points below average. Corn planted was near completion by week's end.

Cotton emergence was at 28 percent, 18 points ahead of last year, but 7 points below the five-year average.

First cuttings of alfalfa hay continued to be shorter than normal due to the lack of rain and recent high temperatures. Second cuttings of alfalfa hay were underway at 2 percent, slightly behind the five-year average. Alfalfa and other hay conditions were in the mostly fair range. Alfalfa first cuttings increased significantly from last week to 83 percent but were 4 points below the five-year average. Other hay first cuttings were 33 percent cut by weeks end, 9 points behind normal.

Watermelons planted were 10 points above last week at 88 percent complete, slightly above average. Watermelons running, at 12 percent, were 5 points below last year at this time and 7 points below the five-year average.

Pasture and range conditions were mostly fair. Hot dry weather was beginning to affect pastures and more rainfall was still needed to supply a runoff to replenish ponds. Livestock were in mostly good to fair condition. Marketings were mostly average. There was very little insect activity reported. Death loss of cattle was mostly light. Feeder steers under 800 pounds averaged $108.25 per cwt. and feeder heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $100.07 per cwt.

Date: 5/25/06

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