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More spring stormsOklahoma Storms from the previous week continued into the week ending April 6 bringing tornados to several residential areas in Edmond, according to the National Agricultural Statistics service, Oklahoma Field Office, April 8. Although severe weather was predicted across Oklahoma for the remainder of the week, limited precipitation was received. On April 3, a cold front caused heavy thunderstorms in the southeastern part of the state. These storms brought damage to residential areas in Bryan County, caused some flooding, and wind gusts as high as 53 mph were recorded. No major hail damage to crops was reported, although isolated areas received flood damage to crops. Temperatures fluctuated from 22 degrees in Goodwell to 90 degrees in Burneyville. Average rainfall for the week was 1.03 inches; the Southeast District received 3.21 inches while the Panhandle District received only 0.01 of an inch. Despite inconsistent weather, warm temperatures provided 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Small grain crops in the Panhandle desperately need moisture with wind erosion affecting some dryland wheat fields. However, in other areas of the state where soil moisture was adequate, wheat conditions have improved with the moderately warm temperatures. Winter wheat jointing was at 67 percent, up 17 points from the previous week, but 13 points behind the five-year average. A small percentage of the state's wheat crop was heading by week's end. Rye jointing increased 15 points from the previous week to 87 percent, and was running 25 points ahead of the five-year average. Oats jointing was up 11 points from the previous week, and three points ahead of normal. Light insect activity was reported. Seedbed preparations remained ahead of normal for corn, soybeans, peanuts, and cotton. Corn seedbed prepared was up 12 points from the previous week, and running five points ahead of normal. Corn planted was up six points from the previous week at 20 percent, but remained 15 points behind last year. By week's end, a small percentage of the state's corn crop had emerged. Sorghum seedbed prepared was at 25 percent, four points behind normal. Sorghum was being planted in a few isolated areas. Soybeans seedbed prepared, at 39 percent, was running four points ahead of normal. Peanuts seedbed prepared, at 47 percent, was up 14 points from the previous week. Cotton seedbed prepared was up 14 points from the previous week to reach 64 percent. Pasture and range conditions were mostly in the good to fair range. Pasture grass was continuing to green and improve in areas. When the weather permitted, producers continued to apply fertilizer to pastures. Range conditions in the Panhandle had not improved due to lack of rainfall. In the Panhandle District, a wildfire spread because of high winds, but no major crop damage was reported. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $103 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $93 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Light livestock insect activity was reported. Average livestock marketings were reported last week. 4/14/08 Date: 4/8/08
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