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Wheat planting continues despite weatherOklahoma Temperatures cooled off as a cold front moved through the state near the beginning of the week ending Oct. 4, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Oct. 5. Spotty showers continued across Oklahoma slowing small grain planting in some areas over the weekend. Other locations were forced to halt planting activities due to lack of moisture. Average rainfall was 0.36 inches, with the Southeast averaging the highest at 1.18 inches. Overall soil moisture conditions continue to be rated in the surplus to adequate range. There were 5.5 days suitable for field work. Small grain planting continued last week and seedbed preparations are nearing completion. Armyworm infestations have been reported, particularly in emerging wheat fields, with some fields experiencing significant damage. Wheat seedbed preparation at 93 percent was running slightly behind the five-year average. Winter wheat seedings increased 23 points from the previous week to reach 56 percent complete, but were still two points behind normal. Rye seedbed preparations increased two points to 97 percent complete while plantings increased to 85 percent complete, well ahead of the five-year average. Seedbed preparation for oats jumped 4 points to reach 77 percent, while 22 percent of the oats were planted by week's end, 3 points behind normal. Harvest was underway for most of the state's row crops. Conditions for all row crops continue to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Ninety-two percent of corn was mature by week's end, an increase of 9 points from the previous week, but 5 points behind normal. Corn harvest was in full swing last week, increasing 17 points from the previous week to reach 54 percent, but was still 23 points behind the five-year average. Ninety-three percent of sorghum was coloring by the end of the week, an increase of 3 points from the last week and ahead of normal. Thirty-nine percent of sorghum was mature, 6 points ahead of last week's, but 13 points behind the five-year average. Fourteen percent of the state's sorghum was harvested but still 14 points behind normal. Soybeans mature reached 40 percent, an increase of 11 points from the previous week, but 13 points behind the five-year average. Thirteen percent of the crop was harvested by week's end, but still 14 points behind normal. Sixty percent of peanuts were mature, up 3 points from last week but 12 points behind the five-year average. Seventeen percent of peanuts were dug, 1 point behind normal, while a small portion was combined. Cotton bolls were opening on 84 percent of the crop, 27 points ahead of the previous week and 3 points ahead of normal. In addition, a small portion of cotton was harvested. Alfalfa conditions ranged mostly from good to fair. The fourth cutting of alfalfa reached 92 percent complete, up 1 point from last week but 5 points behind normal. Fifth cuttings were 47 percent complete, up 9 points from the prior week but 18 percent behind normal. By week's end, 74 percent of other hay received a second cutting, 3 points up from last week but 6 points behind the five-year average. Overall, cooler temperatures have provided a positive influence on pasture conditions, which are mostly ranging from good to fair. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $96 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $91 per cwt. Livestock conditions rated mostly in the good to fair range. Average livestock marketings were reported last week.
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