|
|
Spring weather brings scattered stormsOklahoma On April 23, storms moved through parts of Oklahoma bringing rain, lightning, and some hail, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, April 28. This storm caused damage to some residential areas in the Northeast, East Central, and Southeast districts, with flooding, and wind gusts as high as 60 mph. Precipitation improved small grain and pasture growth in much of the state, except for the Panhandle where non-irrigated wheat is distressed from drought-like conditions. The small grain crop in other areas is behind normal but quickly maturing with recent warmer weather. Temperatures this weekend in the Panhandle and North Central districts reached freezing, but damage is not yet apparent. Temperatures varied from 96 degrees in Altus to 26 degrees in Boise City. Average rainfall for the week was 0.51 inch; the Northeast district received the most rainfall at 1.38 inches while the South Central district received the least at only 0.08 of an inch. Insecticides are being applied to control weevils and other insects. Small grain conditions have improved with the moderately warm temperatures and precipitation. Winter wheat jointing was up 3 percentage points from the previous week to 94 percent, but still 4 points behind the five-year average. Winter wheat headed was at 37 percent, 34 points behind normal. Rye jointing increased 6 points from the previous week to 99 percent, 1 point behind last year, but 24 points ahead of normal. Rye headed was at 76 percent, 9 points ahead of normal. Just over two-thirds of the state's oats were jointing, a 12 point increase from the previous week, but 3 points behind the five-year average. Oats headed was at 12 percent by week's end. Fieldwork was delayed around the state due to rain. Peanut, cotton, and soybean planting is expected to increase this upcoming week. Corn seedbed prepared increased 6 percentage points from the previous week to 91 percent, 8 points behind last year, and 4 points behind normal. Corn planted was at 62 percent, up 26 points from the previous week, and 6 points ahead of the five-year average. Nearly one-third of the corn had emerged by week's end, 4 points behind normal. Sorghum seedbed prepared was up 9 points to 51 percent. Soybeans seedbed prepared was at 48 percent, 13 points behind the five-year average. Seedbed preparation for peanuts was at 79 percent, 3 points ahead of normal. Peanuts planted were at 11 percent, slightly ahead of the five-year average. Cotton seedbed prepared was up 9 points from the previous week to 88 percent, 8 points ahead of normal. Light to moderate fruit freeze damage has been reported for 26 percent of the fruit crop. Twenty-three percent of watermelons were planted by the end of last week, 37 percentage points behind last year, and 21 points behind normal. Producers continued to apply fertilizer to pastures last week and weed control had become more of an issue with the recent moisture. 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. 5/5/08 Date: 5/1/08
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 |
|
