Panhandle received rainfall

Oklahoma

The average total rainfall for Oklahoma throughout the week ending July 13 was 1.57 inches, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, July 14.

The Panhandle District received a much needed 1.80 inches, and producers hope to see more moisture this week. The recent moisture will help plants green, but will by no means undo all of the damage created by this season's harsh, drought-like conditions. This year's warm growing season, March 1 through July 13, was ranked the Panhandle District's 6th driest period since 1921, an improvement from last week when it was ranked the 2nd driest. State Agriculture Secretary, Terry Peach, toured the drought area at the tip of the Panhandle last week.

The Northeast District received the most rain for the week; a total of 3.28 inches fell according to the Mesonet totals. A flood advisory for southern Oklahoma County and a flood warning for Muskogee County were issued during the middle of last week. On July 12, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for portions of northeast Oklahoma, where showers and thunderstorms were expected as a cold front moved into the state. Last week's rainy conditions allowed for cooler temperatures in some areas of Oklahoma. The high of 104 degrees was recorded July 12 in Grandfield, and the low of 52 degrees was recorded July 13 in Boise City. Even with wet conditions in many areas, there were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork.

Last week's rains will soften the soil and allow producers to complete the first plowing of small grain acres in many areas. Fifty-seven percent of the state's winter wheat acres had been plowed by week's end; 14 percentage points ahead of last year, but eight points behind the five-year average. Sixty-two percent of the state's rye acres had been plowed by week's end; 18 points ahead of last year, and eight points ahead of the five-year average. Oats harvested increased eight percentage points to reach 95 percent complete, three points ahead of normal, and 52 percent of oats had been plowed, 11 points behind normal.

As of July 13, all of the state's row crops were rated in good to fair condition. Corn silking reached 55 percent, up 11 points from the previous week, but 10 percentage points behind normal. Twenty-nine percent, up 12 points from the previous week, of the state's corn crop had reached the dough stage. A small percentage of the corn crop was beginning to dent. Since the rains, sorghum has vigorously headed in parts of the state. Sorghum planted increase eight points to reach 94 percent complete, three points behind the five-year average. Sorghum emerged was at 63 percent, a nine point jump from the previous week, but 27 points behind normal. Eleven percent of the state's sorghum was headed by week's end. Soybeans planted were at 91 percent, soybeans emerged were at 85 percent, and soybeans blooming was at 24 percent, all at or within one point of the five-year average. Peanuts pegging reached 74 percent, four points behind normal, and peanuts setting pods were at 40 percent, 10 points ahead of normal. Cotton squaring increased seven points to reach 49 percent, 10 points behind normal, and 11 percent of the state's cotton was setting bolls by week's end.

Hay cutting and baling continued through last week until rainfall forced operators to come to an abrupt halt. Alfalfa hay third cutting increased 17 points from the previous week to reach 66 percent complete, 18 percentage points ahead of normal. Alfalfa conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Other hay first cutting reached 77 percent by week's end, an increase of eight points from the previous week, but six points behind normal. A small percentage of other hay had been cut for the second time. Other hay conditions remained mostly in the fair to good range.

Eighty-three percent of the state's watermelons were setting fruit with 21 percent harvested by week's end, both nine points behind the five-year average.

Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Conditions are expected to enhance because of last week's showers. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $112 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $105 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Mostly light to moderate insect activity was reported.

7/21/08
5 Star OK\15-B

Date: 7/15/08

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