Wheat harvest delayed by rain

Oklahoma

Rain and thunderstorms during the week ending June 15 delayed wheat harvest in many areas across the state, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, June 16.

Eleven percent of the crops in the state received light to moderate flood and hail damage during last week's storms. On June 9, the National Weather Service issued flood watches, flood warnings, and urban and small stream flood advisories for several counties. The Northeast district averaged 4.10 inches of rainfall during the week, and the period since March 1 was ranked the 2nd wettest period since 1927. On the other hand, the Panhandle district averaged only 0.10 inches of rainfall last week, and the period since March 1 was ranked the 2nd driest period since 1927. Because of dry conditions and high winds, the risk of wildfires has increased throughout the Panhandle. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 71 percent surplus to adequate, up three points from the previous week. Subsoil moisture was rated 69 percent surplus to adequate, also up three points from the previous week. With the sporadic rain showers, there were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Wheat harvest was halted again in areas receiving rain last week. Test weights were lower in areas that received excessive precipitation throughout the past several weeks. Some producers were still planning to double-crop with soybeans. Winter wheat harvest reached 59 percent last week, up 25 percentage points from the previous week and equal to the five-year average. Six percent of the state's winter wheat acreage had been plowed by week's end. Rye harvest was up 31 points from the previous week to reach 41 percent. Oats headed was at 95 percent, four points behind normal, while 89 percent of the state's oats had reached the soft dough stage. Forty-one percent of oats had been harvested, one point ahead of the five-year average.

Fieldwork was cut short last week due to isolated thunderstorms that brought various amounts of rainfall to the state. Corn emerged increased two points from the previous week to reach 95 percent, five points behind normal. Sorghum seedbed prepared increased only two percentage points from the previous week to reach 89 percent complete, three points behind the five-year average. Sorghum planted jumped six points to reach 44 percent, but still 17 points behind normal. Sorghum emerged reached 36 percent, up four points from the previous week, but 10 points behind normal. Seedbed preparation for soybeans increased three points from the previous week to reach 88 percent complete, but four points behind the five-year average. Soybeans planted were at 55 percent, 13 points behind normal, while soybeans emerged was at 46 percent, 10 points behind normal. Peanuts emerged increased five points from the previous week to reach 99 percent, three points ahead of the five-year average, while peanuts pegging reached 18 percent, five points ahead of normal. Nearly all of the state's cotton was planted by week's end, running five points ahead of normal, with 88 percent emerged, six points ahead of normal.

Hay cutting and baling was also delayed due to last week's rainfall. Alfalfa hay second cutting increased 14 points from the previous week to reach 64 percent complete. Alfalfa conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Other hay first cutting increased 10 percentage points from the previous week to reach 55 percent, but still 10 points behind normal.

Watermelons were 95 percent planted, four percentage points behind the five-year average. Over half of the state's watermelons had developed runners. Although watermelons running jumped 13 points from the previous week, it was still 29 points behind normal. Watermelons setting fruit was at 11 percent, 34 points behind the five-year average. Peaches were rated in the mostly good to fair range with an average fruit set. Pecans were also rated mostly in the good to fair range, and were reported having an average nut set.

Pasture conditions were continuing to improve in areas that received rain the past few weeks. Pasture and range conditions were reported mostly in the good to fair range. However, the Panhandle's pasture conditions continued to decrease due to the dry conditions, and some producers were being forced to cut back their cattle herd size due to poor pasture conditions. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $109 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $103 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Mostly light to moderate insect activity was reported.

6/23/08
5 Star OK\8-B

Date: 6/19/08

	Web hpj.com

Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011.  High Plains Publishers, Inc.  All rights reserved.  Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com