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Warmer temps help fields dry out
Texas
Conditions across the state were mostly warmer and drier, with foggy mornings and overcast skies in the many areas of the state during the week ending March 21, while isolated showers occurred early and late week in all districts except for the Panhandle and far west Texas, according to the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service, March 22.
The drying trend during the week allowed producers to enter their fields and resume land preparations and planting activities. Adequate moisture and warming soils accelerated the greening of winter crops, pastures and rangeland around the state. Some pre-watering and land preparation for row crops, including deep breaking, fertilizing and listing had begun in the Plains. In the western half of the state, more rain was still needed to maintain vegetation growth and fill stock tanks. Supplemental feeding of livestock was still active in some locations, but was decreasing with improved range and pasture conditions.
Further improvement and growth from the warmer temperatures and some sunshine was evident in most Wheat and oat fields around the state. From South Texas to North Central Texas, more Wheat fields were heading out. Grazing of small grain by cattle was still ongoing throughout the state, but cattle were being pulled off fields intended for grain. Statewide, the Wheat condition was rated at 52 percent of normal compared with 70 percent last year.
Corn planting was in full swing in Central Texas. Sandy soils were dry enough to plant by late in the week, but clay soils were taking longer to dry out enough to allow machinery in fields. Planting was behind schedule in the Coastal districts due to prolonged wet conditions, but some corn planting was possible. In the High Plains, fieldwork continued for some producers.
Warmer temperatures and sunshine following recent rains allowed Cotton field work to progress in most regions late in the week. In southern areas of the state where fields were dry enough, planting continued. In the Plains, field preparations to prevent blowing sand on cotton fields continued. Pre-planting conditions continued to improve in the Southern Plains.
Except for the Plains districts, sorghum planting continued in most areas of the state, except where fields were still too wet. Grain sorghum was reported to be emerging in some Coastal Bend and South Central Texas fields.
Land preparations and fieldwork for peanuts resumed where conditions allowed. Rice planting continued in a few fields where conditions allowed. Soybean preparations and planting activities increased as the week progressed and field conditions became drier. Budding out of pecan trees made progress. In the Rio Grande Valley, sugar cane, citrus, carrots and greens continued to be harvested. Preparations for onion harvest had begun. In the San Antonio-Winter Garden, onions continued to develop. Spinach and cabbage harvest activities were moving toward completion.
Cattle remained in fair to good condition. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to improve in most areas of the state. Some pastures in areas of the Coastal districts and East Texas were still very wet. Supplemental feeding levels were decreasing across most of the state, except in some areas of the High Plains where forage conditions have suffered. Calving, lambing and kidding were active in most regions. Sheep shearing continued. Producers in parts of the Plains, Trans-Pecos, and Edwards Plateau still needed more moisture for continued grass and weed growth and to raise water levels in stock tanks. In West Texas, a few ranchers started branding cattle and moving bulls to begin the breeding season.
Date: 3/25/04
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