Drought conditions rated 35 percent extreme to exceptional

For the week ending April 29, Oklahoma received enough rain to keep the drought conditions from worsening, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. According to the OCS Mesonet, several rainfalls over a period of time are needed to eliminate the problem. As of April 24, drought conditions were rated 35 percent extreme to exceptional, up 35 points from the previous year, and 20 percent exceptional drought, up 20 points from the previous year. Statewide temperatures averaged in the high 50s. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate to very short. There were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat jointing reached 86 percent, down 10 points from the previous year and down 9 points from normal. Winter wheat headed reached 35 percent, down 39 points from the previous year and down 25 points from normal. Canola blooming reached 69 percent, down 26 points from the previous year and down 23 points from normal. Canola coloring reached 11 percent, down 22 points from the previous year but up 1 point from normal. Rye jointing reached 89 percent, down 9 points from the previous year but up 1 point from normal. Rye headed reached 37 percent, down 40 points from the previous year but up 4 points from normal. Oats jointing reached 50 percent, down 16 points from the previous year and down 4 points from normal.

Sorghum planted reached 13 percent, down 9 points from the previous year and down 2 points from normal. Soybeans planted reached 5 percent, down 5 points from the previous year and down 1 point from normal. Cotton planted reached 6 percent, down 12 points from the previous year but unchanged from normal.