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Pleasant fall weather aids crop harvest and plantingOklahoma Oklahoma producers benefited from unusually warm temperatures during the week ending Nov. 8, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Nov. 9. Calm winds and sunshine were experienced throughout the state. Temperatures were 72 degrees or higher across all nine districts. The Southeast district was the only district to receive rainfall at only 0.01 inches. Precipitation was nonexistent in the remaining eight districts. These warm and dry conditions lingered into the weekend and allowed producers across the state to get into the fields and continue crop harvest and planting activities. Soil moisture conditions continue to be in the surplus to adequate range as topsoil was rated 12 percent surplus and subsoil 11 percent surplus. As a result of the abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, there were 4.7 days suitable for field work. Producers around Oklahoma welcomed the dry and warm weather as they were able to get back into the fields. Progress was made across the state this week as wheat planted increased by four points to 88 percent complete, but still seven points behind normal. Wheat emerged increased to 79 percent complete, up five points from the prior week, but five points behind the five-year average. Ninety percent of oat seedbed preparation was completed by week's end, while half of oats had been planted, up eight points from the previous week, but 11 points behind the five-year average. Forty-two percent of oats had emerged by week's end, eight points behind the five-year average. Although harvest of all row crops is running well behind average this year, producers were able to make some headway this past week as a result of the favorable weather conditions. Corn harvested reached 91 percent complete by week's end, up six points from the prior week but eight points behind the five-year average. Seventy-six percent of sorghum had matured by Nov. 8, while 42 percent was harvested, up 12 points from the previous week, but still 16 points behind the five-year average. Soybeans at maturity reached 88 percent, up 16 points from the prior week, but five points behind normal. Harvested soybeans reached 46 percent by week's end, up 12 points from last week, but still 22 points behind the five-year average. Virtually all peanuts were mature by week's end, 81 percent had been dug, up ten points from the previous week, but ten points behind normal. Sixty percent of peanuts had been combined, up ten points from the previous week, but 16 points behind normal. Cotton harvested reached 26 percent complete by Nov. 8, up six points from the prior week, but still 22 points behind the five-year average. Dry conditions allowed haying activities to continue last week. By Nov. 8, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 77 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 28 percent complete, up 13 points from last week but 12 points behind normal. Alfalfa conditions continue to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Eighty-six percent of other hay received a second cutting, up three points from the previous week, but still six points behind normal. Sunny conditions and very little precipitation during the week provided some relief for saturated pastures. Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $95 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $87 per cwt. Livestock conditions rated mostly in the good to fair range. Average livestock marketings were reported last week.
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