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Weather conditions improveOklahoma Scattered storms struck Oklahoma the first part of the week ending July 29, which brought rainfall to many areas, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, July 30. The remainder of the week was relatively dry with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees in some areas. Total precipitation for the state averaged two tenth's of an inch, with the Central district recording the highest at 0.47 inches. Topsoil moisture was rated 75 percent surplus to adequate, compared to just 2 percent at this time last year. Subsoil moisture was rated 88 percent surplus to adequate, compared to just 2 percent last year. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Producers burned off disastered wheat fields in some areas last week. Eighty-seven percent of the wheat crop had been harvested by Sunday, an increase of 4 points from the previous week. Just over half the state's wheat stubble has been plowed. Farmers had 91 percent of oats and 92 percent of rye harvested by the end of the week. Farmers were able to conduct normal field activities in most areas this past week. Ninety-four percent of the corn crop was silking by the end of last week and 72 percent of the state's acreage had reached the doughing stage of development. Eleven percent of corn was mature, 8 points behind normal. Nearly all of the state's sorghum acreage had emerged and 28 percent was headed. Ninety-three percent of peanuts had reached the pegging stage and 65 percent of the crop was setting pods, both slightly behind average. Seventy-one percent of the cotton acreage was squaring, and 26 percent was setting bolls, both behind the five-year average. soybeans were 89 percent planted by the end of last week and 79 percent had emerged, both well behind normal. Hay baling was in full swing across much of the state last week. However, quality problems were common in areas that have received too much rain. As of Sunday, producers had made the first cutting on 84 percent of other hay acres, 9 points behind normal. Producers had 19 percent of other hay second cuttings completed by the end of the week, 15 points behind the five-year average. The second and third cuttings of alfalfa were 96 and 59 percent complete, respectively, both behind normal. Farmers had started fourth cuttings of alfalfa on a limited scale. Alfalfa and other hay conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Watermelon harvest jumped 12 points from the previous week to reach 59 percent, but was 8 points behind the five-year average. Nearly two-thirds of the state's peaches were harvested by the end of the week. Livestock conditions improved slightly and were rated in the excellent to good range. Livestock marketings were average last week. Of the feeder cattle under 800 pounds, steers averaged $116 per cwt. and feeder heifers averaged $110 per cwt. Pasture conditions also improved and were rated mostly in the excellent to good range. The hot and humid conditions had pastures growing rapidly. Date: 8/2/07
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