From staff reports Rainfall totals in Oklahoma were only in trace amounts for the week of Sept. 30-Oct. 6, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The Oct. 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Report said drought conditions were rated 77% abnormally dry to exceptional drought, up 14 points from the previous year, according to the NASS. Additionally, 61% of the state was in the moderate to exceptional drought categories, up 16 points from last year.
Statewide temperatures averaged in the upper 60s to mid-70s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated short to very short, and there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork.
Here’s a snapshot of crops’ status for the week: Small grains: Winter wheat planted reached 32%, up 10 points from the previous week but down 14 points from normal. Winter wheat emerged reached 14%, up seven points from the previous week but down eight points from normal.
Row crops: Corn harvested reached 66%, up four points from the previous week and 17 points from normal.
Sorghum coloring reached 90%, up five points from the previous week but down five points from normal. Sorghum mature reached 60%, up nine points from last week but down nine points from normal. Sorghum harvested reached 38 points, up 4 points from previous week and up 10 points from normal.
Soybeans setting pods reached 95%, up three points from the previous week. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 45%, up nine points from last week and one point from normal. Soybeans harvested reached 8%, up three points from last week but down one point from normal.
Peanuts mature reached 60%, up six points from last week and one point from normal.
Upland cotton bolls opening reached 86%, up 14 points from last week and six points from normal.
Upland cotton harvested reached 9%, up nine points from the previous week and seven points from normal.
Hay: The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay reached 80%, up 10 points from the previous week but down five points from normal. The fifth cutting of alfalfa hay reached 28%, up six points from the previous week and 11 points from normal.
The third cutting of other hay reached 55%, up five points from the previous week but unchanged from normal.
Pasture and livestock: Pasture and range condition was rated at 61% fair to good. Livestock condition was rated at 79% good to fair.