Rainfall totals in Oklahoma averaged 1.26 inches for the week of July 25-31, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
According to the July 26 U.S. Drought Monitor Report, drought conditions were rated 100% abnormally dry to exceptional drought, unchanged from the previous week. Additionally, 100% of the state was in the moderate drought to exceptional drought category, unchanged from the previous week.
Statewide temperatures averaged in the lower 80s. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly very short to short, while subsoil moisture conditions were rated short to very short.
Here’s a look at how crops performed for the week:
Row crops: Corn silk reached 85%, up four points from the previous year and six points from normal. Corn dough reached 25%, up four points from the previous year but down five points from normal.
Sorghum headed reached 42%, up 11 points from the previous year and three points from normal. Sorghum coloring reached 11%, up one point from the previous year but down four points from normal.
Soybeans blooming reached 43%, up three points from the previous year and two points from normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 12%.
Peanuts pegging reached 60%, up six points from the previous year and one point from normal.
In the southwest region, cotton acreage is burning up from heat and drought conditions. Cotton squaring reached 85%, up 15 points from the previous year and three points from normal. Cotton setting bolls reached 32%, up 10 points from the previous year and two points from normal.
Hay: In central Oklahoma, hay is in short supply. The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 60%, up 12 points from the previous year but down three points from normal.
The second cutting of other hay reached 50%, up 11 points from the previous year and five points from normal. The third cutting of other hay reached 2%.
Pasture and livestock: Pasture and range condition was rated at 54% good to fair. In the Southeast, livestock condition keeps declining. Overall, livestock condition was rated at 82% good to fair.