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Excessive rain slows field workOklahoma Heavy rain and severe storms during the week ending Oct. 11 were followed by a cold weekend in Oklahoma, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Oklahoma Field Office, Oct. 13. All nine districts received measurable precipitation, with five of the districts receiving three inches or more. At least three Mesonet stations recorded over six inches of rainfall. The weekend brought unseasonably cold weather, as a freeze warning was issued for the Panhandle along with a few other counties. Soil moisture conditions improved significantly from the previous week due to the saturating rains, as topsoil was rated 30 percent surplus and subsoil 14 percent surplus. Due to the wet weather, there were only 2.8 days suitable for field work. Oklahoma producers continued to make progress on small grain plantings, despite the rainy weather. Wheat seedbed preparation reached 95 percent complete, while wheat seedings increased 12 points from last week to reach 68 percent complete, three points behind normal. Nearly half of the state's wheat had emerged by week's end, up 20 points from the previous week. Rye plantings were nearing completion at 93 percent, while 78 percent of the crop had emerged, 11 points ahead of normal. Oat seedbed preparation was at 79 percent, while 36 percent of the oats were planted by week's end, two points ahead of normal. Oats emerged reached 21 percent complete, five points ahead of the five-year average. Despite several days of rain, harvest activities continued in some areas. Conditions for all row crops continue to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Ninety-four percent of the state's corn had reached maturity by Oct. 11, up two points from the previous week but four points behind normal. Nearly two-thirds of the corn was harvested by week's end, a 12 point jump from the prior week but still 21 points behind the five-year average. Sorghum coloring reached 96 percent complete by Oct. 11, while 45 percent had reached maturity, 15 points behind normal. Seventeen percent of the state's sorghum was harvested this past week, well behind the five-year average. Soybeans at maturity reached 47 percent, up seven points from the prior week but 16 points behind normal. By week's end, 16 percent of soybeans had been harvested, up three points from last week but 19 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts at maturity reached 70 percent complete, up ten points from the previous week. By Oct. 11, 32 percent of the peanuts had been dug while 16 percent had been combined, both on pace with the five-year average. Cotton opening bolls was nearing completion at 89 percent complete, four points behind last year. A small portion of the state's cotton was harvested by week's end. Wet weather brought haying activities to a halt in some areas last week. As of Oct. 11, fourth cuttings of alfalfa were virtually complete, while fifth cuttings were 52 percent complete, up five points from last week but 20 points behind normal. Sixth cuttings of alfalfa had begun in some areas. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Producers made a second cutting on 78 percent of other hay, up four points from the prior week but five points behind normal. Several days of soaking rains aided pasture and range conditions, rating mostly in the good to fair range. Armyworm damage is being reported in Bermuda grasses and pastures. Prices for feeder steers less than 800 pounds averaged $95 per cwt. Prices for heifers less than 800 pounds averaged $86 per cwt. Livestock conditions rated mostly in the good to fair range. Average livestock marketings were reported last week.
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