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Some moisture is better than noneOklahoma A few light showers scattered across the state during the week ending March 16, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, March 17. Total rainfall received was 0.08 inches; the Southeast district received 0.29 inches while the West Central and the Southwest districts received no precipitation. Some areas of the state experienced summer-like temperatures last week. Altus had the high for the week of 88 degrees March 14. Average temperatures increased across Oklahoma with the lowest district average temperature of 48 degrees in the Panhandle while 57 degrees was recorded in the South Central district. Topsoil moisture conditions decreased slightly, but subsoil conditions remained nearly unchanged from the previous week. There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork If temperatures remain warm, small grain crops should begin to develop faster. Winter wheat jointing was at 16 percent, 20 points behind last year, and 14 points behind the five-year average. Producers were continuing to top-dress wheat fields in many areas. Rye jointing was six points ahead of normal while oats planted, at 91 percent, was eight points ahead normal. A small percentage of oats were jointing. Seedbed preparations for most row crops were still running well ahead of normal with sorghum at 19 percent and soybeans at 27 percent. Both cotton and peanuts were at 25 percent complete. Corn seedbed preparation was at 45 percent, 13 points ahead of normal, and a small portion of the state's acreage had been planted by week's end. Pasture and range conditions remained similar to last week and were mostly in the good to fair range. Grasses are expected to green up in areas that received rainfall the previous week. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $104 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $97 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Cattle were removed from wheat pasture in areas where producers intend to harvest wheat for grain. Average livestock marketings were reported. 4/23/08
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