Both Oklahoma and Kansas released monthly crop weather updates for December 2017 on Tuesday afternoon- and both showed plenty of reasons to worry about being too dry as we begin 2018.
According to the NASS report, "Oklahoma experienced cold and dry conditions during the month. Precipitation levels remained below average in December. According to OCS Mesonet, the statewide average precipitation for the full month of December was 1.06 inches. As of December 26th, 76 percent of the state was in the moderate to exceptional drought categories, up 4 points from the previous year."
"Winter wheat grazed reached 35 percent, down 4 points from the previous year. Rye grazed reached 16 percent, down 8 points from the previous year. Oats grazed reached 4 percent, down 60 points from the previous year and down 39 points from the normal."
The report shows that the 2018 Hard Red Winter Wheat Crop across Oklahoma is suffering because of the dry conditions- with 15% of the crop in "good" condition (none of the crop rated excellent), 43% is in "fair" condition and 42% is called "poor to very poor."
The Canola crop is also hurting and needs rainfall- 19% is in "good" condition; 50% in "fair" shape and 31% in "poor to very poor" condition.
Pasture and range ratings tell the same story, with only 16% called "good", 53% "fair" and 31% "poor to very poor."
Click here to see more...