OMAHA (DTN) — Continued dry conditions in winter wheat-growing areas of the Southern Plains was among the highlights of weekly Crop Progress and Condition reports issued by some states Monday.
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service will begin issuing its Crop Progress reports, which give a weekly snapshot of crop development and conditions nationwide, on Monday, April 7.
The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued Monday by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit http://bit.ly/…
COLORADO
Although not yet widespread, planting activities gained momentum last week. Isolated precipitation was concentrated in eastern districts, while moist conditions held some producers from gaining access to fields. High winds were reported in the southeast district where soil erosion occurred as a result in some cases. Overall, mountain snowpack was 116{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} of average as of March 19. Farmers were allowed 5.0 days in the field for spring operations.
Topsoil moisture was 13{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} very short, 35{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short, 49{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} adequate and 3{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} surplus. Subsoil moisture was 24{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short, 31{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short, 43{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} adequate and 2{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} surplus.
Producers seeded an additional 3{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} of the intended barley crop last week, with 4{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} of the crop seeded by week's end. Spring wheat was 1{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} seeded, behind 6{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} last year and the average of 9{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30}. Four percent of the winter wheat crop was pastured as of last week, compared with 7{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} last year and 8{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} on average. Spring wheat is 1{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} planted.
KANSAS
For the week ending March 23, 2014, dry conditions prevailed for another week with precipitation limited to a quarter of an inch or less across portions of northern Kansas, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. As a result, soil moisture supplies continued their downward trend with less than half of the state reporting adequate supplies. Windy conditions were again noted with soils blowing in portions of the western half of the state. Temperatures continued to average below normal, slowing wheat development. Corn planting was noted in some southeastern counties. There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 22{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} very short, 38{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short, 40{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} adequate, and 0{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 21{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} very short, 42{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short, 37{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} adequate, and 0{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} surplus.
Winter wheat condition rated 5{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} very poor, 16{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} poor, 46{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} fair, 31{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} good, and 2{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 3{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30}, compared to 5{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} last year and 11{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} average.
OKLAHOMA
Only a few showers fell in Oklahoma in the past week, mainly in Southeastern district. The Southeast district received 0.82 inches of rain, which lessened drought conditions in that area. However, five of the nine districts received no measurable rainfall at all. Statewide temperatures averaged in the high 40s to the low 50s, ranging from 18 degrees at Burbank on Monday, March 17, to 83 degrees at Burneyville on Tuesday, March 18. Low moisture and high winds were a major concern last week. There were wind speeds as high as 40 mph in some parts of the state. High winds kept field work to a minimum. Wind erosion and dust storms were experienced in the Panhandle and Southwest Oklahoma this past week. Significant moisture is needed across the whole state, assuredly in the Panhandle and Southwest for winter wheat development. Wildfires were reported in central Oklahoma, in both Logan County and northeast Oklahoma County, but damages were minimal. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 28{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} adequate to surplus and 72{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short to very short. Subsoil moisture conditions were rated 20{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} adequate to surplus and 80{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} short to very short. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork on average across the state.
Small grains continue to be rated mostly fair to poor. Winter wheat jointing reached 29{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} by Sunday, 11 points behind the previous year and 19 points behind the five year average. Canola conditions were rated 64{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} fair to poor. Seventy-seven percent of oats had been seeded by Sunday, 8 points behind the previous year and 11 points behind the five-year average. Rye jointing reached 10{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30}, 29 points behind last year and 50 points behind the five-year average.
Seedbed preparation for row crops continued. Corn seedbed preparation reached 47{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} by week's end, 4 points behind last year. Sorghum seedbed preparation was 24{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} complete compared to 26{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} last year and 23{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} on the five-year average. Soybean seedbed preparation reached 15{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} complete by Sunday, four points behind both the previous year and the five-year average. Seedbed preparation of cotton was 36{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} complete by the end of the week, 9 points ahead of last year, but on track with the five-year average.
TEXAS
Warmer temperatures were reported early in the week. Windy weather brought cooler temperatures and dust storms to the Panhandle late in the week. Many areas of the Upper Coast and Coastal Bend received a tenth of an inch to a quarter of an inch of precipitation. Areas of the Edwards Plateau and South Central Texas observed trace amounts up to a quarter inch of precipitation. The remainder of the state received no precipitation to a half of an inch.
Winter wheat in the Southern Low Plains and the Edwards Plateau continued to show signs of stress brought on by dry, windy conditions. In the Coastal Bend winter wheat was entering the boot stage.
Wet field conditions delayed corn planting in the Blacklands. Producers in South Central Texas finished planting corn and turned their attention to planting cotton and sorghum. Rice planting was progressing well. Cotton fields continued to be prepared in the Northern Low Plains.
Wheat condition was reported at 1{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} excellent, 10{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} good, 34{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} fair, 37{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} poor and 18{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} very poor. Corn planting is 20{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} complete, compared to 15{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} last week and a 43{75f28365482020b1dc6796c337e8ca3e58b9dd590dc88a265b514ff5f3f56c30} 5-year average.
Posted with DTN Permission by Haylie Shipp
