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Fast and furious thunderstorms leave hail, tornado damageOklahoma Late May 1 and early May 2, strong storms blew fast and furiously across the state during the week ending May 4, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, May 5. The National Weather Service confirmed early May 2 that separate tornadoes touched down late May 1 near Choctaw and Glencoe. Hail the size of golf balls broke the windshields of numerous vehicles in Midwest City. On May 2, wind gusts of 74 miles per hour were recorded at Will Rogers Airport. Seven percent of Oklahoma's crops received hail damage this past week. Again, temperatures fell below freezing in isolated areas, but no freeze damage to crops was reported. The state averaged 0.23 inches of rainfall, with the majority of it falling in the East Central District. The Panhandle District, experiencing the 10th driest season since 1921, is in desperate need of moisture. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Dryland wheat producers in the Panhandle District are concerned that they may not have a crop to harvest due to severe drought conditions and high winds. Some Panhandle irrigators are beginning to question if there will be enough water to produce an adequate wheat crop. Winter wheat jointing was at 98 percent, only one percentage point behind the five-year average. Wheat heading took a 38 point jump from the previous week to 75 percent. A small percent of the state's wheat crop was in the soft dough stage. Rye heading was at 95 percent, up 19 points from the previous week; 14 percent of the crop was in the soft dough stage. Eighty-six percent of the state's oats were jointing, seven points ahead of normal. Twenty-five percent were headed, 12 points behind normal. A few oat fields were reported to be in the soft dough stage. Due to high winds and warm temperatures, fieldwork was not halted for long after the May 1 thunderstorms. Corn seedbed prepared was at 96 percent, two percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn planted was at 81 percent, up 19 points from the previous week, and 14 points ahead of normal. Fifty-five percent of corn had emerged by week's end. Sorghum seedbed prepared was at 61 percent and sorghum planted was at 13 percent, six points behind the five-year average. Soybeans seedbed prepared was at 62 percent, and 16 percent of the state's soybeans had been planted. Seedbed prepared for peanuts was at 89 percent, and 23 percent had been planted. Cotton seedbed prepared was at 94 percent, eight points ahead of normal, and a small percentage had been planted. Light freeze damage was reported for pecans and fruit trees in several areas. Peaches had an average fruit set, and pecans were reported having an average nut set. Watermelons planted were at 46 percent, doubling from the previous week's 23 percent planted, but still eight points behind normal. Grass conditions were continuing to improve, but development was behind normal in some areas due to cool overnight temperatures. Pasture and range conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $107 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 producers in dry areas were being forced to reduce or liquidate their herds. 5/12/08 Date: 5/8/08
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