Drought conditions expand

Precipitation levels were below their respective normal averages for the week ending July 29, with exception of the Panhandle district, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. As of July 24, drought conditions were rated 34 percent severe to exceptional, up 4 points from the previous week. Additionally, 10 percent of the state was in the extreme to exceptional drought category, up 1 point 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 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork.

Corn silk reached 82 percent, up 8 points from the previous year. Corn dough reached 35 percent, up 8 points from the previous year. Sorghum headed reached 43 percent, down 1 point from the previous year. Sorghum coloring reached 19 percent, down 6 points from the previous year. Soybeans blooming reached 54 percent, up 16 points from the previous year. Soybeans setting pods reached 17 percent, down 4 points from the previous year. Peanuts pegging reached 59 percent, up 5 points from the previous year. Cotton squaring reached 85 percent, down 1 point from the previous year. Cotton setting bolls reached 35 percent, up 11 points from the previous year and up 3 points from normal.