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Soil moisture supplies continue to dwindleOklahoma Adversely warm and windy temperatures continued to hamper the state during the week ending Nov. 19, greatly diminishing what little moisture is left in the soil, according to the Oklahoma Field Office, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nov. 20. Average temperature highs reached near 60 degrees and above. All districts received traces of rainfall with the exception of the East Central district which reported over an inch of rain last week. More rainfall is greatly needed to help replenish soil moisture supplies. Both topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions remained mostly in the short to very short range last week. Areas that have previously received good rains were beginning to see emergence among small grains and cool season pastures were greening up. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Wheat and oat conditions improved slightly but remained mostly in the good to fair range. Wheat emergence was winding down at 90 percent, 3 points behind normal. Oat seeding was over three-fourths complete with emergence progressing at 72 percent. Some producers were beginning to turn cattle out on Wheat pasture. Wheat fields in areas that have had limited rainfall continued to have problems making a good stand. Wheat producers were seeing an increase in greenbugs, aphids and leafhoppers in the fields. Row crop harvest made excellent progress during the week. Sorghum maturity was near complete at 96 percent with three-fourths of the crop already harvested, a 24 percent increase from last week. Soybean harvest jumped 17 points from last week to reach 94 percent complete, 6 points ahead of normal. Ninety-three percent of the state's peanuts had been combined, 7 points ahead of normal. Cotton harvest was 18 points ahead of normal at 80 percent, a 16 point increase from last week. Some cotton producers were making preparations for second pickings. Alfalfa and other hay harvest slowly progressed from last week with cuttings remaining behind normal. Hay supplies remained short for many areas in the state as producers continued to supplement livestock. Pasture and range conditions declined slightly from last week with 69 percent of the pastures in fair to poor condition. Ponds and creeks remained at critically low levels. Cool season and Wheat pastures were in a critical state last week in areas with very limited moisture. Producers were hoping for more rainfall to enter the state to help replenish ponds and enable pasture growth. Livestock remained in mostly good to fair condition. Livestock marketings were average with moderate to light insect activity. Feeder steers under 800 pounds averaged $102.09 per cwt. and feeder heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $94.63 per cwt. Date: 11/22/06
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