Drought extends to nearly 6 months

Precipitation totals for the week ending April 8 were less than a half inch across the state with the exception of the East Central and Southeast districts, which recorded 1.40 and 1.49 inches, respectively, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. According to OCS Mesonet, the drought extended to nearly 6 months, spreading extreme to exceptional drought into Northwestern Oklahoma. As of April 3, drought conditions were rated 35 percent extreme to exceptional, up 35 points from the previous year, and 15 percent exceptional drought, up 15 points from the previous year. Statewide temperatures averaged in the mid-40s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly very short to adequate. There were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat jointing reached 57 percent, down 24 points from the previous year and down 14 points from normal. Winter wheat headed reached 1 percent, down 1 point from normal. Canola blooming reached 23 percent, down 11 points from normal. Rye jointing reached 66 percent, down 2 points from normal. Oats jointing reached 24 percent, up 2 points from normal. Extremely cold temperatures at the end of the week had a negative impact on small grain conditions.

Corn planted reached 12 percent, down 3 points from the previous year and down 6 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 1 percent, down 2 points from normal.