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Wet weather welcomedOklahoma Rainfall to the western parts of the state during the week ending Oct. 5, in the West Central district averaged 1.31 inches, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Oct. 6. Arnett, Buffalo, Butler, Cheyenne, Erick, Hollis, and Woodward had each received well over 1 inch before midnight Oct. 6. Wet conditions were expected to carry over into the next week and bring much needed moisture to the central and eastern parts of the state. Producers were hoping the recent rainfall will improve topsoil moisture conditions enough for successful small grain planting and improve germination of recently planted wheat. District temperatures averaged between 63.6 and 70.1 degrees for the week. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Armyworms have invaded many wheat fields across the state causing some producers to spray and others to replant. Over one-fourth of the state's cropland was reported having moderate to heavy insect activity. Winter wheat seedbed preparation increased 5 percentage points from the previous week to reach 93 percent complete. Wheat planted jumped 15 points from the previous week to reach 59 percent complete, 3 percentage points behind the five-year average. Wheat emerged was at 28 percent by week's end, 6 points behind normal. Rye seedbed preparation increased four points to reach 98 percent complete. Rye planted reached 86 complete, a 16 point increase from the previous week and 4 points ahead of the five-year average. Rye emerged reached 61 percent, 9 points ahead of normal. Seedbed preparation for oats increased 10 points from the previous week to reach 70 percent complete, 7 points behind normal. Twenty-seven percent of the state's oats were planted by week's end, a 16 point increase from the previous week but 3 points behind the five-year average. A small percentage of the state's oats had emerged by week's end. Harvest was underway for most of the state's row crops. Corn mature was 88 percent complete by week's end, an increase of 4 percentage points from the previous week but 11 points behind normal. Corn harvest was in full swing last week, increasing 11 points from the previous week to reach 57 percent complete, but was still 25 points behind the five-year average. Sorghum headed was 94 percent complete. Seventy-six percent of sorghum was coloring by the end of the week, an increase of 6 points from the previous week but 15 points behind normal. Sorghum mature reached 37 percent by week's end, 24 points behind the five-year average. Twenty-four percent of the state's sorghum was harvested, 8 points behind normal. Soybeans mature were at 39 percent, up 12 points from the previous week but 22 points behind the five-year average. Thirteen percent of the state's soybeans had been harvested by week's end, 20 points behind normal. Nearly three-fourths of the peanuts were mature by the end of last week, up 25 points from the previous week, but 3 points behind normal. Nearly a fourth of the state's peanuts had been dug by week's end, 4 points ahead of normal. Peanuts combined reached 16 percent. Cotton bolls were opening on 90 percent of the state's cotton by week's end, up 18 points from the previous week and 7 points ahead of the five-year average. Most of last week brought warm temperatures and adequate sunshine, allowing hay producers to continue with fieldwork. Alfalfa fifth cutting was 69 percent complete by week's end, 8 points ahead of normal. Other hay second cutting was 79 percent complete, up 4 points from the previous week but three points behind normal. Warm-season pasture growth has slowed due to shorter days and a lack of soil moisture in some areas. However, cooler weather has helped cool-season pastures, and recent rain should significantly improve pasture conditions. Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $105 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $97 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range with mostly light to moderate insect activity reported. 10/13/08 Date: 10/10/08
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