Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending September 21, 2014.
Canola planting was active across the state with 43 percent of the crop planted by week’s end, up 31 points from last year. Canola seedbed preparations neared completion at 92 percent. Small grain planting continued and winter wheat seeded jumped 21 points to reach 35 percent complete. Row crops continued to progress in correspondence with their respective five-year averages. Alfalfa and other hay cutting continued across the state with some producers reaching fourth cuttings for alfalfa. Good yields and quality continued to be reported.
Overall, crop conditions were rated mostly good to fair. Cool temperatures between the low 60’s and mid 80’s were experienced across most of the state. The lowest temperature was recorded as 52 degrees at Oilton on Sunday, September 21st, while the highest temperature recorded was 96 degrees at Alva on Wednesday September 17th. The state received trace amounts of rainfall last week, with the Northeast District recording 1.84 inches, the highest in the state. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were mostly adequate to short.
There were 6.3 days were suitable for field work.
Small Grains: Seedbed preparation remained active for all small grains. Wheat seedbed preparation was 75 percent as of Sunday, with 35 percent planted. Sixty-six percent of rye seedbed preparations were complete, just 6 points behind the five year average. Rye seeding reached 44 percent complete by week’s end. Oat seedbed preparation continued with 38 percent complete by week’s end.
Canola seedbed preparation was wrapping up throughout the state. Canola planting was 43 percent complete as of Sunday.
Row Crops: Corn condition was rated 74 percent good to fair. Corn mature reached 77 percent complete. Corn harvest rose 27 points from last week to reach 43 percent complete, just 11 points behind the five-year average. Sorghum condition was rated 79 percent good to fair. Sorghum coloring reached 90 percent complete, 63 percent was mature and 17 percent had been harvested by the end of the week. Ninety-seven percent of soybean condition rated good to fair.
Peanut condition was rated 93 percent good to fair. Peanuts mature reached 58 percent complete, 27 percentage points higher than last week. Cotton condition was rated 84 percent good to fair. Seventy-four percent of cotton bolls were opening.
Hay: Alfalfa hay and other hay conditions continued to be rated mostly good to fair. A fourth cutting of alfalfa hay reached 68 percent complete. A second cutting of other hay was 74 percent complete 7 points above the five year average.
Pasture and Livestock: Conditions of pasture and range continued to be rated mostly good to fair. Livestock was rated 58 percent in good condition with 28 percent rated as fair.
