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Tornadoes touch down in parts of stateOklahoma Four tornadoes May 7 and at least five more May 10 brought damage to Central and Eastern Oklahoma, during the week ending May 11, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, May 12. The most significant tornado was rated an EF-4 with winds estimated at 165 to 175 mph and had a damage track that stretched 74 miles with 29 of those miles in Ottawa and Craig County, Okla. Crop and livestock damage had been reported in the Northeast, East Central, and North Central districts from hail, flooding, and high winds. Additional damage assessment will begin on May 12 for the tornadoes that hit May 10. With the abundant moisture, insect and disease activity has increased. The Panhandle district received some moisture this week helping irrigated crops but most of the district is still suffering drought like conditions. The state averaged 1.78 inches of rainfall this past week, with the majority of it falling in the Northeast district. There were only 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Excessive moisture last week led to lower than average stages of development and disease problems in small grain fields across the state. Flood and hail damage resulted in the loss of a few wheat fields in North Central and Northeastern districts. Winter wheat headed, at 88 percent, was eight percentage points behind the five-year average. Twenty-three percent of the state's wheat was in the soft dough stage, 11 points behind normal. Rye heading was complete by weeks end. Fifty-four percent of the rye crop was in the soft dough stage, an increase of 40 points but still ten points behind last year and the five-year average. Eighty-eight percent of the state's oats were jointing, two points ahead of normal. Thirty-five percent were headed, an increase of ten points from last week but 16 points behind normal. A few oat fields were reported in the soft dough stage. Due to inclement weather, fieldwork was delayed but crop conditions remained average. Corn seedbed prepared was completed by weeks-end. Corn planted was at 87 percent, five percentage points behind last year, but six points ahead of the five-year average. Sixty-eight percent of corn had emerged by week's end; 11 points ahead of normal. Sorghum seedbed prepared was at 77 percent and sorghum planted was at 19 percent, five points behind the five-year average. Soybeans seedbed prepared was at 65 percent, and 25 percent of the state's soybeans had been planted. Seedbed prepared for peanuts was at 91 percent, one point ahead of last year but one point behind the five-year average. Thirty-five percent of peanuts had been planted and 14 percent had emerged. Cotton seedbed prepared was at 97 percent, and 10 percent had been planted. Progress and production is behind normal for hay in much of the state due to cool weather. The first cutting of alfalfa was at 57 percent, up 16 points from last week but five points behind the five-year average. Seventy-two percent of the alfalfa was rated fair to good. Other hay was behind the historical trend with 20 percent of the first cutting completed by week's end. Conditions for other hay were mostly rated as good to fair. Wet and cool weather has delayed strawberry ripening. Light to moderate freeze damage was reported for pecans and fruit trees. Peaches had an average fruit set, and pecans were reported having an average nut set. Watermelons planted were at 50 percent, an increase of 4 percent from the previous week, but 19 points behind normal. Producers were hesitant to fertilize hay meadows and pastures due to the high cost of fertilizer. Grass conditions were still behind normal in some areas due to cool temperatures; however, recent rains had added forage opportunities. Pasture and range conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $109 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $102 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range. Cattle producers in dry areas were being forced to decrease their herds. 5/19/08 Date: 5/15/08
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