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Remnants of Hurricane Gustav seen across stateOklahoma The remnants of Hurricane Gustav spread moisture and rain across much of the state during the week ending Sept. 7, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Sept. 8. On Sept. 3, flash flood warnings were in effect for eastern Haskell, northern Le Flore, and Sequoyah counties. Also on Sept. 3, McCurtain County was under a flash flood watch, and several counties in the east were under a wind advisory. The effects of Hurricane Gustav decreased significantly on Sept. 4 as the remnants left the region. Sept. 6, storms formed in Kansas and moved into northern Oklahoma. Severe thunderstorms moved across the Texas Panhandle into western Oklahoma. More storms swept through parts of the state on Sept. 7. An Oklahoma Mesonet Station in Red Rock reported 5.15 inches of rainfall for the week. The Southeast district averaged 2.52 inches, the most precipitation for the week, while the Southwest district averaged only 0.04 inches, the least amount of precipitation for the week. The state averaged 1.07 inches of rain for the week. Weekly temperatures fluctuated from 43 to 98 degrees. Isolated areas of the state's cropland reported having light flood damage. There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork. Despite last week's rains and lack of sunshine, small grain seedbed preparation still made good progress. Winter wheat seedbed preparation increased 18 percentage points from the previous week to reach 70 percent complete. A small portion of the state's wheat had been planted by week's end. Rye seedbed preparation increased 13 percentage points to reach 72 percent complete. Rye planted reached 13 percent complete by week's end, four percentage points behind the five-year average. The seedbed preparation for oats was just over half complete, two points behind normal. Steady rains and damp conditions have slowed down harvest, but according to recent reports, has improved crop conditions of double-cropped corn and soybeans. Slightly over two-thirds of the state's crops were reported having light to moderate insect activity. Ninety-four percent of the state's corn had reached the dough stage, up one point from the previous week but six points behind normal. Nearly half of the state's corn had reached maturity by week's end, 13 points behind the five-year average. Twenty-six percent of the state's corn had been harvested by week's end, up 11 points from the previous week but 12 points behind normal. Sorghum headed increased 12 points from the previous week to reach 80 percent complete but was 10 points behind normal. Forty-five percent of the sorghum was coloring by the end of the week, an increase of six points from the previous week but 12 points behind normal. Twenty percent of the state's sorghum had reached maturity, five points behind the five-year average. A small percentage of the state's sorghum had been harvested. Soybeans blooming increased five points from the previous week to reach 95 percent, two points ahead of normal. Eighty-four percent of the soybeans were setting pods, up 11 points from the previous week but one point behind the five-year average. Thirteen percent of the state's soybeans were mature. Peanuts mature reached 27 percent, 19 points behind normal. Cotton bolls were opening on 29 percent of the state's cotton by week's end, up 18 points from the previous week but equal to the five-year average. Hay cutting and baling activities were slowed due to rain and damp conditions. Hay conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Eighty-four percent of the state's alfalfa had been cut for the fourth time, a three point increase from the previous week. Alfalfa fifth cutting reached 26 percent complete by week's end. Other hay second cutting reached 58 percent, an increase of two points from the previous week but 10 points behind normal. Watermelons harvested had reached 95 percent complete, an increase of one point from the previous week but still slightly behind normal. Pasture and grasses continued to improve last week in areas that have recently received rainfall. Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $112 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $106 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range with mostly light to moderate insect activity reported. 9/15/08 Date: 9/11/08
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