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A tranquil weekOklahoma Weather conditions during the week ending Sept. 21 were calm and tranquil compared to the previous week, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Sept. 22. As mentioned in the Sept. 15 Crop Weather Report, the north central part of the state had received some significant flood damage. On Sept. 19, Governor Brad Henry requested a major disaster declaration from the Federal government for five northern Oklahoma counties. Residents and business owners in Alfalfa, Grant, Kay, Major and Woods counties reported damage to nearly 200 homes and businesses. Temperatures were usual for September and ranged from 88 degrees in Tipton to 40 degrees in Chickasha. Rain was scarce across the state with an average of only 0.01 inches received. In some areas where sunshine and warm temperatures occurred, soil moisture levels decreased and allowed producers to continue working in the field. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Last week, small grain planting increased significantly for wheat and rye. Fall army worms were reported being seen in early planted wheat fields in areas of the Panhandle. Over twenty percent of the state's cropland was reported having moderate to heavy insect activity. Winter wheat seedbed preparation increased eight percentage points from the previous week to reach 79 percent complete. Twenty percent of wheat had been planted by week's end. Rye seedbed preparation increased nine percentage points to reach 82 percent complete. Rye planted reached 45 percent complete by week's end, a 26 point increase from the previous week but three points behind the five-year average. Seedbed preparation for oats was 58 percent complete, eight points behind normal. Row crop harvest was in full swing for those parts of the state that received adequate sunshine and warm temperatures. Fifty-nine percent of the state's corn had reached maturity by week's end, 24 points behind the five-year average. Just over one-third of the state's corn had been harvested by week's end, up five points from the previous week but 24 points behind normal. Sorghum headed increased two points from the previous week to reach 91 percent but was six points behind normal. Nearly two-thirds of the sorghum was coloring by the end of the week, an increase of five points from the previous week but 13 points behind normal. Thirty percent of the state's sorghum had reached maturity, eight points behind the five-year average. Fourteen percent of the state's sorghum had been harvested. Soybeans setting pods increased six points from the previous week to reach 94 percent, two points ahead of the five-year average. Twenty-one percent of soybeans were mature, up five points from the previous week but 21 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts mature reached 35 percent, up seven points from the previous week but 26 points behind normal. Cotton bolls were opening on 55 percent of the state's cotton by week's end, up 14 points from the previous week but three points behind the five-year average. Hay cutting and baling activities continued in areas dry enough for fieldwork. Eighty-nine percent of the state's alfalfa had been cut for the fourth time, a two point increase from the previous week. Alfalfa fifth cutting reached 39 percent complete by week's end. Other hay second cutting reached 67 percent, an increase of seven points from the previous week but nine points behind normal. Pasture and grass conditions improved due to the previous week's moisture. Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $111 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $102 per cwt. Livestock conditions were rated mostly in the good to fair range with mostly light to moderate insect activity reported. 9/29/08 Date: 9/25/08 Advertisement
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