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Storms hamper wheat harvestOklahoma Severe thunderstorms moved through Oklahoma during the week ending June 17, and they brought heavy downpours, high winds, and frequent lightning strikes, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, June 18. The heavy rains caused flooding in low lying areas, and there were isolated reports of washed out roads and sections of railroad track. The storms also spawned a few tornados that occurred in mostly rural areas. The state averaged 1.98 inches of precipitation last week, with the Central district receiving the highest at 2.91 inches. Topsoil moisture was rated 96 percent surplus to adequate, compared to 24 percent at this time in 2006. Subsoil moisture was rated 93 percent surplus to adequate, compared to just 15 percent last year. There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork. The storms halted wheat harvest in most areas. Flood damage was reported in a few low lying wheat fields. Forty-one percent of the wheat crop had been harvested by June 17, 51 points behind last year and 25 points behind the five-year average. Farmers had 20 percent of oats and 39 percent of rye harvested by the end of the week, both behind normal. Wet weather ended most field activities last week. Eighteen percent of corn was silking by the end of last week, 2 percentage points behind normal. Producers had just over half of the state's sorghum acres planted by week's end and 39 percent of the crop had emerged. The majority of peanuts had emerged with 10 percent pegging. Ninety-one percent of the cotton acreage had been planted and 77 percent had emerged, both behind the five-year average. Hay baling across much of the state ended abruptly last week as the fields were too wet for equipment . Producers had made the first cutting on 64 percent of other hay. The second cutting of alfalfa, at 54 percent, was 13 points behind the five-year average. Alfalfa and other hay conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Ninety-six percent of watermelons had developed runners and just over two-thirds were setting fruit. Peaches were rated in the mostly good to fair range with an average fruit set. Livestock conditions improved some from last week and were rated mostly in the excellent to good range. Large fly populations had started to affect cattle herds, reducing overall performance. Of the feeder cattle under 800 pounds, steers averaged $111 per cwt. and feeder heifers averaged $103 per cwt. Livestock marketings were average last week. Pasture conditions also improved slightly and were rated mostly in the excellent to good range. Date: 6/21/07
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