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Two straight weeks of intense rainfallOklahoma Cool and wet weather for the last two weeks has helped improve Oklahoma's pastures and late maturing row crops according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Aug. 25. This rainfall should also enhance prospective yields for many hay and late maturing row crops that have suffered from a hot and dry July. The statewide average precipitation was 1.51 inches, making this an unusually wet August. The Panhandle, West Central, Southwest, South Central and Central Oklahoma districts have reported light flood and hail damage. The areas most affected by flooding were low-lying land near rivers and creeks. The district average temperatures ranged from 71.6 degrees in the Panhandle district to 75.3 degrees in the South Central district. Soil moisture continued to improve and both topsoil and subsoil are now in mostly adequate condition. There were 4.9 days suitable for field work. Two weeks of wet weather have slowed small grain seedbed preparation. Winter wheat plowed increased one percentage point from last week to reach 92 percent complete with 30 percent of wheat seedbed preparation completed by week's end. Rye seedbed preparation increased 24 percentage points to reach 35 percent complete. Oats plowed was nearing an end at 95 percent, with 15 percent of oats seedbed preparation complete. The recent weeks of cool and wet weather have improved row crop conditions and should have a positive impact on future yields in some areas. Row crop conditions are mostly in the good to fair range. Corn silking is virtually complete at 97 percent. Eighty-nine percent of the State's corn had reached the dough stage, up three points from the previous week but five points behind the five-year average. Forty-five percent of corn had reached maturity by week's end, an increase of fifteen points from the previous week and three points ahead of normal. Thirty percent of corn was harvested by week's end. Sorghum emerged was nearly complete at 97 percent. Sorghum headed increased 11 points from the previous week to reach 58 percent complete but was 20 points behind the five-year average. Twenty-eight percent of the sorghum was coloring by the end of the week, an increase of three points from the previous week but nine points behind normal. Ten percent of the state's sorghum had reached maturity, in-line with the five-year average. Sorghum harvested has begun in a few isolated areas. Soybeans blooming were at 80 percent, an increase of 12 points from the previous week but five points behind the five-year average. Just under two thirds of the state's soybeans were setting pods, an increase of 16 points from the previous week but six points behind normal. A small percentage of soybeans had reached maturity by the end of the week. Peanuts setting pods increased seven points from the previous week to reach 90 percent complete, six points behind normal. Peanuts had reached maturity in a few areas of the state. Cotton setting bolls reached 88 percent complete, two points behind normal. A small percentage of cotton bolls were opening by week's end. Hay growth has increased greatly from the recent rainfall. Hay conditions remain mostly in the good to fair range. Seventy-two percent of the state's alfalfa had been cut for the fourth time, a 20 point increase from the previous week. Alfalfa fifth cutting reached 10 percent complete by week's end. Other hay second cutting reached 42 percent, an increase of 12 points from the previous week, but 18 points behind normal. Watermelons harvested had reached 91 percent complete, an increase of five points from the previous week but slightly behind normal. Pasture and grasses continued to improve last week in areas that received rainfall. Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $114 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $108 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range with mostly light to moderate insect activity was reported. 9/1/08 Date: 8/28/08 Advertisement
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