Due to a cold front that moved through the State on Monday, freezing temperatures were experienced and a freeze watch was issued for the western third of the State through Tuesday morning. Precipitation was seen across the State with the East Central and Northeast districts receiving the most rainfall at 0.34 inches and 0.20 inches of rainfall, respectively. Temperatures dropped to some of the lowest of the season reaching as low as 18 degrees in Kenton. Additionally, fog was seen throughout the week. The weekend brought warmer weather with temperatures ranging from the high 60’s to the low 70’s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions rating in the surplus range remained unchanged from the previous week. There were 5.0 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Most small grain planting had been completed by week’s end. Wheat planted, at 95 percent, was up two points from last week, but still three points behind normal. Wheat emerged increased to 85 percent complete, up three points from the prior week, but seven points behind the five-year average. Oat seedbed preparations are also nearing completion at 95 percent complete while 63 percent of oats were planted by week’s end, three points behind normal. Sixty percent of oats had emerged by week’s end, up two points from the prior week, and one point ahead of the five-year average.

Row Crops: Producers continue to make good progress with row crop harvest. Corn harvest was virtually complete by week’s end. Sorghum harvest reached 80 percent, up 12 points from the prior week, and two points ahead of normal. Virtually all soybeans were mature by Sunday and 73 percent of soybeans had been harvested, up eight points from the previous week, but 15 points behind normal. Virtually all peanuts were dug, while 93 percent were combined by week’s end. Cotton harvested reached 44 percent complete, up nine points from the previous week, but still 21 points behind the five-year average.

Hay: Hay cutting continued across the State. As of Sunday, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 84 percent complete. Sixth cuttings were 44 percent complete, up five points from last week but three points behind normal. Alfalfa conditions continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. A second cutting was made on 90 percent of other hay, up two points from the prior week but four points behind normal.

Pasture and Range: Pasture and range conditions continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Some supplemental feeding of livestock is continuing across the state.

Oklahoma Cattle on Feed Inventory Up 17 Percent from Last Year

Oklahoma:
The inventory of cattle on feed was 375 thousand head in Oklahoma on November 1, 2009, for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head, up 6 percent from the previous month and up 17 percent from November 1, 2008. Placements during October were 83,000, 11 percent above one year ago. Marketings of fed cattle during October were 60,000, down 12 percent from the same month last year. Other disappearance during October totaled 3,000 head.

United States:
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States, for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head, totaled 11.1 million head on November 1, 2009, 1 percent above November 1, 2008. Placements during October totaled 2.47 million, 1 percent above 2008. Net placements were 2.42 million head. Marketings of fed cattle during October totaled 1.76 million. Other disappearance totaled 59,000 head during October.

Mild weather was experienced across the State this past week. Measurable precipitation was received in all nine districts, although no district received more than an inch of rainfall. Foggy mornings and partly cloudy days were common during the week. The weekend brought dropping temperatures across the State and threats of snow in the Panhandle. Although soil moisture conditions declined from the previous week, both topsoil and subsoil were rated mostly in the adequate range. The mild weather allowed fields to dry out and producers were able to make progress in small grain planting and row crop harvesting. There were 5.4 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Small grain planting is winding down around the State as favorable weather conditions allowed producers ample opportunity to get back in the fields. Wheat planted is nearing completion at 93 percent, up five points from last week but four points behind normal. Wheat emerged increased to 82 percent complete, up three points from the prior week, but seven points behind the five-year average. Stocker cattle are being placed on early-planted wheat pasture. Oat seedbed preparations are wrapping up at 93 percent complete while 62 percent of oats were planted by week’s end, two points behind normal. Oats emerged reached 58 percent complete, up 16 points from last week and three points ahead of the five-year average.

Row Crops: Oklahoma producers made great strides in row crop harvest activities this past week as drier conditions prevailed. Corn harvest is nearing completion at 94 percent, up three points from the prior week but six points behind the five-year average. By week’s end, virtually all sorghum had reached maturity while 68 percent was harvested, a 26 point jump from the previous week, and one point ahead of normal. Soybeans at maturity reached 94 percent, up six points from the prior week. By Sunday, 65 percent of soybeans were harvested, a 19 point increase from the previous week but still 14 points behind the
five-year average. Peanuts dug reached 90 percent complete while 78 percent were combined by week’s end, up 18 points from last week but eight points behind normal. Cotton harvest slowly continues as 35 percent was harvested by week’s end, up nine points from the prior week, but still 23 points behind the five-year average.

Hay: Producers continued to cut and bale hay. As of Sunday, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 82 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 39 percent complete, up 11 points from last week but six points behind normal. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Producers made a second cutting on 88 percent of other hay, up two points from the prior week but five points behind the five-year average.

Pasture and Range: Pasture and range conditions continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Some supplemental feeding of livestock has begun.

Oklahoma Grain Sorghum Forecast Up from Last Month

Oklahoma:
Production prospects are up from October for sorghum, unchanged for corn, soybeans, and cotton and peanuts are down, according to the Oklahoma Field Office of USDA-NASS. Production of corn for grain is forecast at 36.3 million bushels, the same as last month but 1 percent below 2008. An average yield of 110 bushels is expected from 330,000 harvested acres.

Production of grain sorghum is forecast at 9.9 million bushels, up 12 percent from last month but 29 percent below 2008. An average yield of 47 bushels is expected from 210,000 harvested acres. Soybean production is now forecast at 10.4 million bushels, the same as last month but 15 percent above last year. An average yield of 28 bushels is expected from 370,000 harvested acres.

Cotton production is forecast at 335,000 bales, unchanged from last month but 28 percent above 2008. An average yield of 825 pounds is expected from 195,000 harvested acres. Peanut production is forecast at 39.6 million pounds, down 3 percent from last month and 37 percent below last year. An average yield of 3,300 pounds is expected from 12,000 harvested acres.

United States:
Corn production is forecast at 12.9 billion bushels, down 1 percent from last month but 7 percent higher than 2008. Yields are expected to average 162.9 bushels per acre, down 1.3 bushels from October, but 9.0 bushels above last year. If realized, this yield would be the highest on record, despite the drop in yield from October.

Production of grain sorghum is forecast at 364 million bushels, down 23 percent from 2008. Yield is expected to average a record high 64.0 bushels per acre from 5.68 million harvested acres. Soybean production is forecast at 3.32 billion bushels, up 12 percent from 2008. Yields are expected to average 43.3 bushels per acre, up 3.6 bushels from last year. If realized, this will be the highest yield on record.

All cotton production is forecast at 12.5 million bales, down 2 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 776 pounds per harvested acre.

Peanut production is forecast at 3.63 billion pounds, down 30 percent from last year=s crop. Yields are expected to average 3,353 pounds per acre from 1.08 million harvested acres.

Pleasant Fall Weather Aids Crop Harvest and Planting

Oklahoma producers benefited from unusually warm temperatures last week. Calm winds and sunshine were experienced throughout the State. Temperatures were 72 degrees or higher across all nine districts. The Southeast district was the only district to receive rainfall at only 0.01 inches. Precipitation was nonexistent in the remaining eight districts. These warm and dry conditions lingered into the weekend and allowed producers across the State to get into the fields and continue crop harvest and planting activities. Soil moisture conditions continue to be in the surplus to adequate range as topsoil was rated 12 percent
surplus and subsoil 11 percent surplus. As a result of the abundant sunshine and mild temperatures, there were 4.7 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Producers around Oklahoma welcomed the dry and warm weather as they were able to get back into the fields. Progress was made across the State this week as wheat planted increased by four points to 88 percent complete, but still seven points behind normal. Wheat emerged increased to 79 percent complete, up five points from the prior week, but five points behind the five-year average. Ninety percent of oat seedbed preparation was completed by week’s end, while half of oats had been planted, up eight points from the previous week, but 11 points behind the five-year average. Forty-two percent of oats had emerged by week’s end, eight points behind the five-year average.

Row Crops: Although harvest of all row crops is running well behind average this year, producers were able to make some headway this past week as a result of the favorable weather conditions. Corn harvested reached 91 percent complete by week’s end, up six points from the prior week but eight points behind the five-year average. Seventy-six percent of sorghum had matured by Sunday, while 42 percent was harvested, up 12 points from the previous week, but still 16 points behind the five-year average. Soybeans at maturity reached 88 percent, up 16 points from the prior week, but five points behind normal. Harvested soybeans reached 46 percent by week’s end, up 12 points from last week, but still 22 points behind the five-year
average. Virtually all peanuts were mature by week’s end, 81 percent had been dug, up ten points from the previous week, but ten points behind normal. Sixty percent of peanuts had been combined, up ten points from the previous week, but 16 points behind normal. Cotton harvested reached 26 percent complete by Sunday, up six points from the prior week, but still 22 points behind the five-year average.

Hay: Dry conditions allowed haying activities to continue last week. By Sunday, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 77 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 28 percent complete, up 13 points from last week but 12 points behind normal. Alfalfa conditions continue to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Eighty-six percent of other hay received a second cutting, up three points from the previous week, but still six points behind normal.

Pasture and Range: Sunny conditions and very little precipitation during the week provided some relief for saturated pastures. Pasture and range conditions remained mostly in the good to fair range.

Drenching Rains Further Delay Crop Activities

Although there were a few days of sunshine early in the week, heavy rains mid-week saturated fields and further delayed row crop harvest and small grain planting. All nine districts received measurable precipitation, with the Southeast receiving the most at nearly three inches. The weekend brought pleasant weather and an optimistic forecast, as several days of dry, sunny weather are expected and will allow producers to get in the fields. Soil moisture conditions continue to be favorable, as topsoil was rated 32 percent surplus and subsoil 21 percent surplus. Due to the wet conditions, there were only 2.6 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Oklahoma small grain producers cannot seem to catch a break as several rainy weeks have slowed field work and delayed planting. Progress was made in some areas this week as wheat planted increased eight points to reach 84 percent complete, eight points behind normal. Wheat emerged increased to 74 percent complete, up eight points from the prior week, but four points behind the five-year average. Rye emerged was virtually complete by week’s end. Oat seedbed preparation reached 86 percent complete, while 42 percent of the oats were planted by Sunday, up just one point from last week but 13 points behind normal. Oats emerged reached 36 percent complete, eight points behind the five-year average.

Row Crops: Harvest of all row crops is running well behind average this year, due to heavy fall rains. This week’s rains soaked fields and kept combines parked in many areas. Conditions of most row crops continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Eighty-five percent of the State’s corn was harvested by week’s end, up five points from the previous week but 13 points behind normal. Seventy-one percent of the State’s sorghum had reached maturity by week’s end, while 30 percent was harvested, up three points from the previous week, but still 20 points behind the five-year average. Soybeans at maturity reached 72 percent, up seven points from the prior week, but 14 points behind normal. By week’s end, just over a third of the
soybeans were harvested, up seven points from last week, but 25 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts at maturity reached 95 percent complete, up eight points from the previous week. By Sunday, 71 percent of the peanuts had been dug while half had been combined, both running well behind normal. Cotton opening bolls was virtually complete by week’s end while cotton harvested reached 20 percent complete, up eight points from last week but 18 points behind the five-year average.

Hay: Wet conditions brought haying activities to a halt in most areas. As of Sunday, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 71 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 15 percent complete, up two points from last week but 22 points behind normal. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Producers made a second cutting on 83 percent of other hay, up one point from the prior week but seven points behind the five-year average.

Pasture and Range: The heavy rains soaked pastures and conditions across the State continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range.

Despite Wet Fields, Some Planting and Harvesting Continues

Wind and cooler temperatures prevailed across Oklahoma during most of the week. The State experienced temperatures averaging in the mid- to high-60’s, with temperatures dropping to as low as 29 degrees in Hooker. A few storms revisited the State during mid week, with precipitation ranging from 0.61 in the North Central district to 2.75 in the Southeast district. Overall soil moisture conditions continue to be rated in the surplus to adequate range with topsoil rated 26 percent surplus and subsoil remaining at 12 percent surplus. Although some producers were able to return to the fields and proceed with planting and harvesting activities due to calmer conditions across the State, many others were kept out of the fields as a result of excess rain
from prior weeks. There were 2.6 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Some small grain planting continued despite wet field conditions across the State. Wheat seedbed preparation reached 76 percent, a two point increase from the previous week, but 11 points behind the five-year average. Wheat emerged increased to 66 percent complete, six points ahead of the prior week, but four points behind normal. Rye planted was virtually complete, while 95 percent of the crop had emerged, five points ahead of the five-year average. Oat seedbed preparation was 84 percent completed, two points ahead of the previous week and in line with the five-year average. Forty one percent of oats were planted by week’s end, three points ahead of the previous week, but nine points behind normal. Oat emergence reached 35 percent, four points ahead of last week, but three points behind the five-year average.

Row Crops: Only isolated row crop harvesting continued throughout the week due to excess moisture in the fields. Row crop conditions continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Virtually all the corn was mature Sunday, two points up from the previous week, but two points behind the five-year average. Corn harvest was 80 percent complete by week’s end, a three point jump from the previous week but 16 points behind the five-year average. There were some reports of aphlatoxin across the State. All sorghum coloring was virtually complete by week’s end, while 60 percent had reached maturity, 17 points behind normal. Sorghum harvested reached 27 percent complete, up eight points from the prior week, but still 17 points behind normal. Sixty-five percent of soybeans reached maturity, up ten points from the previous week, but 12 points behind normal. Soybeans harvested reached 27 percent complete, up seven points from the prior week, but 22 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts at maturity reached 87 percent complete, up eight points from the previous week. Fifty-six percent of peanuts had been dug while 36 percent had been combined, eleven points behind the five-year average. Ninety-six percent of cotton bolls had opened, up four points from the previous week and in line with the five-year average. Cotton harvested had reached 12
percent by week’s end, up five points from the prior week, but still 14 points behind normal.

Hay: Haying activities continued in most areas of the State while some areas remained at a standstill due to wet field conditions. By week’s end, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 70 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 13 percent complete, up four points from the prior week but 18 points behind normal. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Eighty two percent of other hay received a second cutting, three points ahead of the previous week, but six points behind the five-year average.

Pasture and Range: Pasture and range conditions continued to improve and by week’s end rated mostly good to fair, with a good rating of 50 percent and a fair rating of 34 percent.

Cloudy Wet Weather and Cooler Temperatures

Skies were mostly cloudy as drizzle and light rain fell during most of the week. Precipitation ranged from 0.19 in the Southwest district to 1.39 in the Southeast district. The weekend brought windy, but sunnier and milder temperatures across most of the State with temperatures averaging in the low to mid-60’s. Soil moisture conditions continued to improve due to the slow, but constant rains, as topsoil was rated 21 percent surplus and subsoil 12 percent surplus. Producers were kept out of the fields the majority of last week due to wet conditions. There were only 2.2 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Last week’s damp and wet weather completely saturated the fields and made it difficult for many producers to continue plantings for small grains. Wheat planted reached 74 percent, a six point increase from the previous week, but six points behind the five-year average. Wheat emergence jumped 12 points from the week earlier to reach 60 percent complete, one point ahead of normal. Rye planted was 95 percent complete, while 90 percent of the crop had emerged, nine points ahead of normal. Eighty two percent of oat seedbed preparation was completed, while 38 percent of oats were planted by week’s end, five points behind normal. Thirty one percent of oats were emerged, three points ahead of the five-year average.

Row Crops: Harvesting of row crops continued in most areas although weather conditions were wet and foggy. Row crop conditions continue to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Corn had reached 95 percent maturity by Sunday, up one point from the previous week but four points behind normal. Corn harvest was 77 percent complete by week’s end, an 11 point jump from the prior week but still 15 points behind the five-year average. Sorghum coloring reached 99 percent complete by Sunday, while 49 percent had reached maturity, 16 points behind normal. Nineteen percent of the State’s sorghum was harvested this past week, up two points from the previous week, but 19 points behind the five-year average. Fifty five percent of soybeans reached maturity, up eight points from the week earlier but 16 points behind normal. Twenty percent of soybeans had been harvested by week’s end, up four points for the week but 22 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts at maturity reached 81 percent complete, up 11 points from the previous week. Thirty six percent of peanuts had been dug while 18 percent had been combined, twelve points behind the five-year average. Cotton opening bolls was 92 percent complete, up three points from the prior week, but one point behind normal. The State had harvested a small portion of cotton by week’s end.

Hay: Wet weather brought haying activities to a standstill in many areas last week. As of Sunday, fifth cuttings of alfalfa were 55 percent complete, while sixth cuttings were 10 percent complete, up seven points from the prior week but 14 points behind normal. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Seventy nine percent of other hay received a second cutting, up one point for the week but seven points behind the five-year average.

Pasture and Range: Continued precipitation helped pasture and range conditions, which are rated mostly in the good to fair range. Reports of Armyworm damage have decreased in Bermuda grasses and pastures.

Heavy rain and severe storms during the week were followed by a cold weekend in Oklahoma. All nine districts received measurable precipitation, with five of the districts receiving three inches or more. At least three Mesonet stations recorded over six inches of rainfall. The weekend brought unseasonably cold weather, as a freeze warning was issued for the Panhandle along with a few other counties. Soil moisture conditions improved significantly from the previous week due to the saturating rains, as topsoil was rated 30 percent surplus and subsoil 14 percent surplus. Due to the wet weather, there were only 2.8 days suitable for field work.

Small Grains: Oklahoma producers continued to make progress on small grain plantings, despite the rainy weather. Wheat seedbed preparation reached 95 percent complete, while wheat seedings increased 12 points from last week to reach 68 percent complete, three points behind normal. Nearly half of the State’s wheat had emerged by week’s end, up 20 points from the previous week. Rye plantings were nearing completion at 93 percent, while 78 percent of the crop had emerged, 11 points ahead of normal. Oat seedbed preparation was at 79 percent, while 36 percent of the oats were planted by week’s end, two points ahead of normal. Oats emerged reached 21 percent complete, five points ahead of the five-year average.

Row Crops: Despite several days of rain, harvest activities continued in some areas. Conditions for all row crops continue to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Ninety-four percent of the State’s corn had reached maturity by Sunday, up two points from the previous week but four points behind normal. Nearly two-thirds of the corn was harvested by week’s end, a 12 point jump from the prior week but still 21 points behind the five-year average. Sorghum coloring reached 96 percent complete by Sunday, while 45 percent had reached maturity, 15 points behind normal. Seventeen percent of the State’s sorghum was harvested this past week, well behind the five-year average. Soybeans at maturity reached 47 percent, up seven points from
the prior week but 16 points behind normal. By week’s end, 16 percent of soybeans had been harvested, up three points from last week but 19 points behind the five-year average. Peanuts at maturity reached 70 percent complete, up ten points from the previous week. By Sunday, 32 percent of the peanuts had been dug while 16 percent had been combined, both on pace with the five-year average. Cotton opening bolls was nearing completion at 89 percent complete, four points behind last year. A small portion of the State’s cotton was harvested by week’s end.

Hay: Wet weather brought haying activities to a halt in some areas last week. As of Sunday, fourth cuttings of alfalfa were
virtually complete, while fifth cuttings were 52 percent complete, up five points from last week but 20 points behind normal. Sixth
cuttings of alfalfa had begun in some areas. Conditions of alfalfa continued to rate mostly in the good to fair range. Producers
made a second cutting on 78 percent of other hay, up four points from the prior week but five points behind normal.

Pasture and Range: Several days of soaking rains aided pasture and range conditions, rating mostly in the good to fair range.
Armyworm damage is being reported in Bermuda grasses and pastures.

Row Crop Production Forecast

Oklahoma:
Production prospects increased for corn, soybeans, and peanuts, during the past month while the production of sorghum is down from the September 1 forecast according to the Oklahoma Field Office of USDA-NASS.

The State’s first pecan forecast of the year was set at 20 million pounds. Production of corn for grain is forecast at 36.3 million bushels, up 12 percent from last month but down 1 percent from 2008. An average yield of 110 bushels is expected from 330,000 harvested acres.

Production of grain sorghum is forecast at 8.8 million bushels, down 13 percent from last month and 37 percent below last year. An average yield of 42 bushels is expected from 210,000 harvested acres.

Cotton production is forecast at 335,000 bales, down 1 percent from last month but 28 percent above 2008. A record high average yield of 825 pounds is expected from 195,000 harvested acres. Soybean production is forecast at 10.4 million bushels, up 21 percent from last month and 15 percent above last year. An average yield of 28 bushels is expected from 370,000 harvested acres.

Peanut production is forecast at 40.8 million pounds, up 6 percent from last month but 35 percent below 2008. An average yield of 3,400 pounds is expected from 12,000 harvested acres.

Production of all hay is forecast at 5.4 million tons, up 5 percent from the initial forecast in August but 2 percent below 2008. Pecan production is forecast at 20 million pounds, up 300 percent from 2008 Improved varieties account for 6 million pounds while the native and seedling varieties account for the remaining 14 million.

United States:
Corn production is forecast at 13.0 billion bushels, up slightly from last month and 8 percent above 2008. Yields are expected to average 164.2 bushels per acre, up 10.3 bushels from last year.

All cotton production is forecast at 13.0 million bales, up 1 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 807 pounds per harvested acre. Area for harvest is expected to total 7.73 million acres.

Production of grain sorghum is forecast at 364 million bushels, down 7 percent from last month and down 23 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 64.0 bushels per acre from 5.68 million harvested acres.

Peanut production is forecast at 3.64 billion pounds, down 1 percent from last month and down 30 percent from last year=s crop. Yields are expected to average 3,363 pounds per acre from 1.08 million harvested acres.

Soybean production is forecast at a record high 3.25 billion bushels, up 10 percent from last year. Yields are expected to average 42.4 bushels per acre from 76.6 million harvested acres.

Production of Alfalfa production is forecast at 72.0 million tons, up 3.4 percent from last year. Production of other hay is forecast at 80.8 million tons, up 6 percent from 2008.

Pecan utilized production is forecast at 309 million pounds (in-shell basis), up 59 percent from last year.