Oklahoma City - Wheat was rated mostly good to fair, with 37 percent rated poor to very poor according to today’s Oklahoma Crop Weather report issued by the USDA-NASS Oklahoma Field Office. Canola condition ratings also improved, but were still rated mostly fair to poor.

Only a few showers fell in Oklahoma over the past week, mainly in eastern Oklahoma. March is off to a dry start, and six of the nine districts have received less than half of normal precipitation for the period since March 1. Temperatures warmed up the second half of the week to springtime highs averaging in the 70s. Warmer weather encouraged growth of grasses and pasture. However, higher temperatures and winds in western Oklahoma resulted in losing some topsoil moisture.

The March 12 Drought Monitor showed improvements to drought conditions, although the entire state was still rated moderate drought or higher. Parts of eastern Oklahoma were downgraded from severe to moderate drought.

Topsoil moisture conditions continued to be rated mostly adequate, but the percentage rated short increased to 32 percent. Subsoil moisture conditions were still rated mostly short to very short with 14 percent of the state rated as adequate. There were six days suitable for fieldwork on average across the state.

Small Grains: Condition ratings for all small grains and canola continued to improve. Wheat, rye and oats were rated mostly good to fair, while canola was rated mostly fair to poor. Wheat jointing was 31 percent complete by Sunday, on track with the five-year average. Rye jointing was 35 percent complete eight points behind of normal progress. Oat planting continued with spring oats and was 76 percent complete by the end of the week, seven points behind the five-year average.

Row Crops: Seedbed preparation was behind normal for most crops, as many producers are still waiting to make planting decisions. Corn seedbed preparation was 42 percent complete by the end of the week. Sorghum seedbed preparation was 23 percent complete by Sunday, six points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean seedbed preparation was 13 percent complete by week’s end, and cotton seedbed preparation was 26 percent complete, both behind normal. Peanut seedbed preparation was five percent complete, 18 points behind the five-year average.

Pasture and Livestock: Conditions of pasture and range improved slightly, but continued to be rated mostly poor to very poor. The recent moisture and warm temperatures have allowed for some recovery, but the availability of pasture was still limited. Stock pond levels have improved somewhat but water is still a major issue as summer approaches.

Livestock conditions were still rated mostly good to fair.

The entire Oklahoma report can be view online at: www.nass.usda.gov/ok under “Recent Reports.” The national database, Quick Stats, and all USDA-NASS reports are available on the agency’s web site at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the USDA-NASS Oklahoma Field Office at 800-525-9226.