Much of state in moderate to exceptional drought

Precipitation levels continued to be rated below normal throughout the state for the month of February, with the largest departures recorded in the North Central district at 39 percent below normal, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Oklahoma. According to OCS Mesonet, the statewide average precipitation for the full month of February was 3.85 inches.

Precipitation totals for the week ending March 4 were less than an inch across the state with the exception of the east central, south central and southeast districts. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 66 percent of the state was in the moderate to exceptional drought categories, down approximately 33 points from the previous week. The percentage of the state between moderate and extreme drought declined by 45 percent. Statewide temperatures averaged in the mid 50s. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate to very short, and subsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly very short to short. There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat grazed reached 35 percent, while rye grazed reached 65 percent. Thirty-five percent of oats were grazed.

Conditions of pasture and range were rated at 55 percent good to fair. Livestock condition was rated at 88 percent good to fair.