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Wheat planting continues despite weatherOklahoma Temperatures cooled off as a cold front moved through the state near the beginning of the week ending Sept. 30, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Oct. 1. Spotty showers continued falling across Oklahoma slowing small grain planting in some areas. Other locations were forced to halt planting activities due to lack of moisture. Average rainfall was 0.61 inches, with the East Central averaging the highest at 1.81 inches. There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Producers were holding off planting wheat for pasture in a few areas due to high seed costs and abundant forage. Armyworm infestations have been reported, particularly in emerging wheat fields with some fields experiencing significant damage. Wheat seedbed preparation at 92 percent, was running slightly behind the five-year average. Wheat seedings increased 16 points from the previous week to reach 41 percent complete, but were still 15 percentage points behind normal. Rye seedbed preparation was 93 percent complete, a 10 point jump from the previous week. Rye planted was two-third's complete, a 27 point increase from the previous week, but 9 points behind the five-year average. Oat seedbed preparation was 76 percent complete with 26 percent of the crop planted by week's end. Additional cases of soybean rust were reported this past week in areas with warm and moist conditions. Thirty percent of soybeans were mature with 10 percent harvested by week's end. Ninety-six percent of the state's corn acreage had reached maturity, the same level as the five-year average. Corn harvest continued to progress quickly with 84 percent of the crop harvested by Sunday, a jump of 11 points from the previous week. Fifty-eight percent of grain sorghum had reached maturity with 21 percent of the harvest completed. Just over two-third's of the state's peanuts were mature with 14 percent of the crop dug. Bolls were opening on 71 of the cotton acreage and producers were preparing to harvest the crop. Armyworms were spotted in freshly planted alfalfa fields in a few isolated areas. Growers had 77 percent of other hay second cuttings completed by the end of the week, 4 points behind normal. Ninety-three percent of the fourth cutting of alfalfa was complete, and producers had completed just over half of the fifth cutting. Nineteen percent of the sixth cutting of alfalfa was completed by week's end, 13 points ahead of normal. Alfalfa and other hay conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Producers continued to prepare wheat pastures for livestock grazing. Livestock marketings remained average last week. Of the feeder cattle under 800 pounds, steers averaged $117 per cwt. and feeder heifers averaged $109 per cwt. Pasture and range conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Weed populations were increasing in some pastures. Date: 10/4/07
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