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Weather finally cooperating with farmers
Texas
Agricultural Summary: The weather seemed to finally be on the side of the farmer in most areas, with the exception of a severe wind storm that affected producers in parts of the Plains. The week started out with only trace amounts of moisture in East Texas as well as a few counties in the Plains. Open, dry, and mild conditions were common across most areas of the state. Strong winds of up to 65 mph during mid-week swept through the Southern High Plains. Blowing sand caused visibility problems, and suspended most activities. Although recent moisture has helped with the dry conditions, more moisture was still needed in the Panhandle, Plains and Trans-Pecos regions. With temperatures warming up, saturated fields in the east began to dry, allowing for more grazing and field activity, but some isolated areas were still too wet for field work to take place. Where conditions allowed, land preparation was in progress for Spring planting. Planting of corn and sorghum had begun in some southern areas. Supplemental feeding was still a necessity across some parts of the state, however signs of improved grazing conditions were appearing. In isolated areas, treatment for pests on Wheat was taking place.
Field crops report
Small Grains: With the warmer weather and recent rains, small grain fields and pastures were coming out of dormancy and were greening up in more areas. Wheat fields were beginning to look better in some parts of the Plains, although most of acreage was in poor to fair condition. In some areas in the High Plains, only irrigated Wheat was looking healthy. Recent moisture has helped, but more was still needed in most of these areas. Recently top-dressed fields were showing moderate growth and were greening. Green bugs and other pest were causing problems in some areas. Statewide Wheat condition was rated at 39 percent of normal compared with 74 percent last year.
Corn: Planting is expected to begin as soon as soils dry-out in the Blacklands. Planting was in full swing in coastal regions, South Texas, and the Lower Valley.
Cotton: Stalk cutting and field listing activity continued in the Plains. Application of pre-emergence weed killer occurred in some fields. Seed bed preparation continued in South Texas as well as other areas.
Sorghum: Land preparation was active in many areas. Planting had begun in the Coastal Bend region and Rio Grande Valley.
Fruit, vegetable and specialty crop report
In the Rio Grande Valley, harvest of sugar cane, citrus, and greens resumed, and preparation for onion harvest continued.
In the San Antonio-Winter Garden, onions made good progress. Some weed pressure was reported in some areas. Seed beds were being prepared for melons, corn, cotton, and milo. Early planting is expected for some of these fields. Second spinach cutting was complete, and possibly a third cutting attempt will be pursued. Harvesting of cabbage and spinach continued.
Livestock, pasture and range report
Most range and pastures benefited from moisture in recent weeks and were getting greener. Supplemental feeding was still necessary across the state where pastures did not have enough forage for daily grazing. In the High Plains, oats were being planted for hay or grazing. Runoff water was still needed for stock tanks in the Cross Timbers region as well as in the Blacklands. Ponds in these areas were at very low levels. Stock ponds in the South Central region were starting to fill due to the abundance of precipitation in this area. Overall, cattle and other livestock remained in good condition, and many herds were calving.
Date: 2/26/04
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