Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 6, 2014.
Drought conditions persisted in the Panhandle last week. Winter wheat progress continued to be negatively impacted by the prolonged drought and exceedingly windy conditions. Substantial rain is needed across the entire state, especially in the Panhandle for winter wheat development. Since March 1st of this year, the Panhandle has only received 0.36 inches of rainfall, which is about 18 percent of their normal precipitation.
Fire danger and dust storms in western Oklahoma continued to be an issue last week. Wind gusts were recorded as high as 45 mph in some areas. Minimal precipitation fell in all 9 districts last week, ranging from 0.04 of an inch in the West Central District to 1.38 inches in the Southeast District. According to the most recent drought monitor, drought conditions remained the same across the state despite recent rains.
Statewide temperatures ranged from 21 degrees at Kenton on Friday, April 4th to 92 degrees at Hollis on Wednesday, April 2nd. Seedbed preparations in Southwest Oklahoma were somewhat limited due to low soil moisture and high winds. However, Eastern Oklahoma received beneficial rains last week and crops progressed well. Small grains and forages were responding to the recent rainfall.
Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 25 percent adequate to surplus and 75 percent short to very short. Subsoil moisture conditions were rated 20 percent adequate to surplus and 80 percent short to very short. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork on average across the state.
Small Grains: As a result of ongoing drought conditions, small grains continue to be rated mostly fair to poor. Winter wheat jointing reached 52 percent by Sunday, 6 points behind the previous year and 24 points behind the five year average. Canola conditions were rated 57 percent fair to poor. Canola blooming reached 14 percent by week’s end, compared to 18 percent this time last year and 35 percent on the five-year average. Seventy-nine percent of oats had been seeded by Sunday, 13 points behind the previous year and 16 points behind the five-year average. Oats emerged reached 59 percent by week’s end. Rye jointing reached 34 percent, 34 points behind last year and 50 points behind the five-year average.
Row Crops: Seedbed preparation for row crops continued. Corn seedbed preparation reached 69 percent by week’s end, 6 points behind last year. Sorghum seedbed preparation was 44 percent complete compared to 35 percent last year and 39 percent on the five-year average. Soybean seedbed preparation reached 33 percent complete by Sunday, slightly ahead of the previous year and the five-year average. Seedbed preparation of cotton was 51 percent complete by the end of the week, 10 points ahead of last year, but consistent with the five-year average.
Pasture and Livestock: Conditions of pasture and range were rated 64 percent fair to poor. Livestock conditions were rated 86 percent good to fair. Producers continued to provide hay and supplemental feed to livestock.
Weather: Temperatures ranged from 21 degrees at Kenton on Friday, April 4th, to 92 degrees at Hollis on Wednesday, April 2nd. Precipitation ranged from 0.04 of an inch in the West Central to 1.38 inches in the Southeast District. Soil temperature averages ranged from 48 degrees at Miami on Tuesday, April 1st, to 73 degrees at Burneyville on Thursday, April 3rd 2014.
