Rain significantly reduces drought in some districts

Most of Oklahoma received 1 to 3 inches of rainfall, which significantly reduced drought across the state except for the Panhandle, West Central and Southwest districts, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. The state average rainfall total for the week was 1.59 inches with the East Central district recording the highest totals at 3.92 inches. As of March 27, drought condition were rated 35 percent extreme to exceptional drought, unchanged from the previous week and 15 percent exceptional drought, up 7 points from the previous week. Statewide temperatures averaged in the mid 50s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly very short to adequate. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat jointing reached 46 percent, down 8 points from normal. Canola blooming reached 16 percent, down 2 points from normal. Rye jointing reached 38 percent, down 24 points from the previous year and down 15 points from normal. Oats jointing reached 18 percent, down 15 points from the previous year but up 6 points from normal.

Corn planted reached 4 percent.