A dry start to fall

Oklahoma

Oklahoma experienced mild and dry conditions across much of the state for the first week of autumn, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Sept. 29.

Only the East Central and Southeast districts reported very small amounts of precipitation. Clear skies have allowed for increased field work for both row crop harvest and small grain seedbed preparation and planting around the state. The recent lack of rainfall has lead to extreme dry conditions in some areas causing stress to row crops and early stands of wheat. Last week's temperatures continued to be unusual for September and ranged from 92 degrees in Buffalo to 46 degrees in Kenton. Although soil moisture conditions continued to decline from two weeks of dry weather, both topsoil and subsoil moisture are still rated mostly in the adequate to surplus range. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Small grain seedbed preparation and planting progressed considerably for wheat, rye, and oats last week. Emerging small grains have been impacted by recent warm temperatures and armyworm infestations that have been reported in the Southwest, South Central, Central, and Panhandle districts. Over one-fourth of the state's cropland was reported having moderate-to-heavy insect activity. Winter wheat seedbed preparation increased 9 percentage points from the previous week to reach 88 percent complete. Wheat planted jumped 24 points from last week to reach 44 percent complete. Wheat emerged was at 14 percent complete by week's end, 6 points behind normal. Rye seedbed preparation increased 12 percentage points to reach 94 percent complete. Rye planted reached 70 complete, a 25 point increase from the previous week and 2 points ahead of the five-year average. Seedbed preparation for oats increased 2 points from last week to reach 60 percent complete, 12 points behind normal. Eleven percent of oats were planted by week's end.

Most row crops continue to be rated mostly in the good to fair range despite the dry conditions. Corn mature was 84 percent complete by week's end, a jump of 25 percentage points from the previous week, but 9 points behind normal. Corn harvest was in full swing last week increasing 12 percentage points from the previous week to reach 46 percent complete but was still 25 points behind normal. Sorghum headed was 91 percent complete, 8 points behind normal. Seventy percent of the 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 was nearly one-third complete by week's end, 18 points behind normal. Twenty percent of the state's sorghum was harvested, 5 points behind the five-year average. Soybeans setting pods were virtually complete by the end of the week. Twenty-seven percent of the soybeans were mature, up 6 points from the previous week but 24 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts mature were nearly half complete, up 14 points from the previous week but 20 points behind normal. Cotton bolls were opening on 72 percent of the state's cotton by week's end, up 17 points from the previous week and one point ahead of the five-year average.

With the warm and dry weather and 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, hay cutting and baling activities increased significantly. Ninety-four percent of the state's alfalfa had been cut for the fourth time, 1 point ahead of normal. Alfalfa fifth cutting was just over half complete by week's end, in-line with the five-year average. Other hay second cutting was three quarters completed, an increase of 8 points from the previous week but three points behind normal.

Pasture and grass conditions declined slightly due to the lack of moisture. Pasture and range conditions remained 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 $101 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range with mostly light to moderate insect activity reported.

10/6/08
5 Star OK\10-B

Date: 10/2/08

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