Crop & Weather Summary: Temperatures Drop as November Comes to a Close
Posted by arthur1234 on November 30, 2009
Unseasonably warm days were experienced during much of the week but Sunday brought wind, rain, and plummeting temperatures. Overnight lows were below freezing across much of the State last week. Although precipitation was light, seven of the districts received measurable rainfall. Soil moisture conditions continue to be favorable, as both topsoil and subsoil were rated mostly in the adequate to surplus range. The mild weather allowed for 5.8 days suitable for field work.
Small Grains: Small grain planting is nearly finished across the State. Virtually all winter wheat for the 2010 crop was seeded by week’s end. Wheat emerged increased to 93 percent complete, up eight points from the prior week, but two points behind the five-year average. Producers continue to place stocker cattle on wheat pasture. Some rust problems have been reported on early-planted wheat. Oat seedbed preparations were essentially complete while 65 percent of oats were planted by week’s end, six points behind normal. Oats emerged reached 63 percent, up three points from the previous week, but two points behind the five-year average.
Row Crops: Row crop harvest is nearing completion, as optimal weather conditions and cooler temperatures allowed producers to make some headway. By week’s end, 85 percent of the State’s sorghum was harvested, up five points from the prior week, but two points behind normal. Soybean harvest jumped 14 points to reach 87 percent complete, but still seven points behind the five-year average. Peanut harvest is wrapping up as 95 percent were combined by Sunday. Cotton harvest is catching up, increasing six points from the previous week to reach 50 percent complete, although still 21 points behind the five-year average.
Hay: Haying for the season is winding down for most producers. As of Sunday, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 85 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 45 percent complete, seven points behind normal. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Producers have made a second cutting on 91 percent of other hay, six points behind the fiveyear average.
Pasture and Range: Pasture and range conditions continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues across the State although mild temperatures this fall have extended grazing on warm season grasses.
