Most areas receive rain but drought conditions remain unchanged

Most of Oklahoma received some much-needed rain during the week ending May 6 but also some less desirable weather, such as hail, severe winds, and flooding, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. As of May 1, drought conditions were rated 35 percent extreme to exceptional, up 35 points from the previous year, and 24 percent exceptional drought, up 24 points from the previous year. Drought conditions were unchanged from last week; however, maps have not yet been updated to reflect rainfall received late in the week. Statewide temperatures averaged in the high 60s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly very short to adequate. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat jointing reached 94 percent, down 4 points from the previous year and down 3 points from normal. Winter wheat headed reached 80 percent, down 8 points from the previous year but up 1 point from normal. Canola blooming reached 81 percent, down 17 points from the previous year and down 14 points from normal. Canola coloring reached 15 percent, down 32 points from the previous year and down 11 points from normal. Rye jointing reached 94 percent, up 4 points from normal. Rye headed reached 67 percent, down 22 points from the previous year. Oats jointing reached 60 percent, down 11 points from the previous year. Oats headed reached 10 percent, down 36 points from the previous year and down 12 points from normal.

Corn planted reached 59 percent, down 2 points from the previous year and down 2 points from normal. Corn emerged reached 21 percent, down 22 points from the previous year and down 21 points from normal. Sorghum planted reached 17 percent, down 8 points from the previous year and down 4 points from normal. Soybeans planted reached 13 percent, down 1 point from the previous year but unchanged from normal. Peanuts planted reached 5 percent, down 23 points from the previous year and down 28 points from normal. Cotton planted reached 8 percent, down 21 points from the previous year and down 2 points from normal.