Rainfall totals in Oklahoma averaged 0.06 inches for the last week of September, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The Sept. 26 U.S. Drought Monitor Report said drought conditions were rated 66% abnormally dry to exceptional drought, down 34 points from last year. Additionally, 47% of the state was in the moderate to exceptional drought categories, down 53 points from the previous year.
Statewide temperatures averaged in the upper 70s. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated short to very short, and subsoil moisture conditions were rated very short to short and adequate. There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Here’s a snapshot of how crops fared for the week of Sept. 25-Oct. 1:
Small grains: Winter wheat planted reached 27%, unchanged from the previous year but down 11 points from normal. Winter wheat emerged reached 10%, up one point from the previous year but down one point from normal.
Row crops: Corn mature reached 85%, down two points from the previous year but up one point from normal. Corn harvested for grain reached 42%, up two points from the previous year but unchanged from normal.
Sorghum coloring reached 90%, down four points from the previous year and from normal. Sorghum mature reached 51%, down 12 points from the previous year and 11 points from normal. Sorghum harvested for grain reached 19 percent, unchanged from the previous year but down four points from normal.
Soybeans setting pods reached 95%, up one point from the previous year and from normal. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 40%, unchanged from the previous year but up two points from normal. Soybeans harvested reached 7%, up seven points from the previous year and two points from normal.
Peanuts mature reached 59%, unchanged from the previous year but up seven points from normal.
Cotton bolls opening reached 78%, down four points from the previous year but up seven points from normal.
Hay: The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay reached 75%, down five points from the previous year and down 10 points from normal. The fifth cutting of alfalfa hay reached 15%, down four points from the previous year but up five points from normal.
The third cutting of other hay reached 45%, down 29 points from the previous year and seven points from normal.
Pasture and livestock: Pasture and range condition was rated at 63% fair to good. Livestock condition was rated at 89% good to fair.