Drought conditions improve slightly

Oklahoma received less than an inch of rainfall over the week ending July 8, with the highest precipitation totals recorded in the Panhandle district at 0.67 of an inch, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, drought conditions were rated 27 percent severe to exceptional, down 1 point from the previous week. Additionally, 9 percent of the state was in the extreme to exceptional drought category, down 3 points from the previous week. Statewide temperatures averaged in the low 80s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly very short to adequate. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork.

Oats harvested reached 60 percent, down 27 points from the previous year and down 19 points from normal.

Corn silk reached 44 percent, up 7 points from the previous year. Sorghum planted reached 96 percent, up 3 points from the previous year. Sorghum headed reached 17 percent, up 1 point from the previous year. Soybeans planted reached 99 percent, up 8 points from the previous year. Soybeans emerged reached 88 percent, up 6 points from the previous year. Soybeans blooming reached 9 percent, up 6 points from the previous year. Soybeans setting pods reached 1 percent. Peanuts pegging reached 52 percent, up 14 points from the previous year. Cotton squaring reached 40 percent, down 4 points from the previous year. Cotton setting bolls reached 10 percent, up 10 points from the previous year and up 3 points from normal.