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Soil remains thirsty
Oklahoma Very little rainfall fell during the week ending Nov. 18 with the state averaging three one-hundredths' of an inch, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Nov. 19. Soil moisture continued to decrease with 69 percent of the state's topsoil and 48 percent of the subsoil rated in the short to very short range. Rainfall is needed not only to improve small grain development, and stock pond levels, but also to aid in the number of wildfire outbreaks. Temperatures across Oklahoma averaged in the 50s for the week, and ranged from 85 degrees Nov. 12 to 13 degrees Nov. 15. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. In most areas, small grains need additional moisture to ensure adequate germination and emergence. Continued dry weather has delayed the development of small grains for forage prospects in some areas. Wheat seeding increased two points from the previous week to reach 96 percent complete, but was still two percentage points behind normal. Seventy-nine percent of the state's wheat acreage had emerged, 14 percentage points behind the five-year average. Ninety-four percent of the state's rye had emerged. Oat seedbed preparation was 92 percent complete with over three-fourths of the crop planted by week's end. Sixty percent of oats had emerged. Row crop harvest continued. Ninety percent of soybeans were mature with 76 percent harvested by week's end. Growers had 89 percent of grain sorghum harvested by Nov. 18, significantly ahead of normal. Peanut harvest was winding down with 95 percent of peanuts combined, nine points ahead of the five-year average. Nearly two-thirds of cotton was harvested, an increase of eight points from the week before. Growers had 93 percent of other hay second cuttings complete, three points behind normal. Eighty-seven percent of the fifth cutting of alfalfa and 49 percent of the sixth cutting were completed, both ahead of normal pace. Alfalfa and other hay conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. The shortage of rainfall has many cattle producers concerned with pasture conditions and the availability of wheat pasture and forage for grazing. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $109 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $100 per cwt. Pasture and range conditions also remained mostly in the good to fair range. Date: 11/21/07
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