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Most of state still dryMost of the state was dry during the week ending April 16, and virtually all areas needed rain, according to the Texas Agricultural Statistics Service, April 17. Growers in the Plains, where dry, windy conditions contributed to isolated wildfires, continued preparing land for planting. Summer grasses continued to green-up across the State, but their growth further depleted soil moisture. Ranchers in most areas continued supplemental feeding of cattle and, especially in South Texas, thinned herds. Much of the Wheat in the Plains and Cross Timbers has been grazed, cut for hay or silage, or turned in for insurance. Disease problems were reported in some irrigated Wheat in the Northern High Plains. Statewide, Wheat condition was mostly rated very poor to poor. Oats condition statewide was mostly rated very poor to poor. Cotton producers in the Plains continued to prepare for planting and applied herbicides. Planting continued in the Blacklands and was winding down in the Coastal Bend. Some farmers in the Blacklands planted seed deeper than normal to reach moisture, and others waited to plant because of the dry soil. Corn growers continued planting in the High Plains. Farmers sprayed fields in the Blacklands for weeds; corn in this area stood at about 6 to 10 inches in height and was reported to be in good condition with mostly good stands. Nearly all corn had been planted in areas of South Central Texas, but seed had germinated only in irrigated fields and where there was recent precipitation. The corn condition statewide was mostly rated fair to good. Sorghum growers continued to prepare fields for planting in the High Plains. Planting was underway in the Low Plains, where farmers hoped for rain to get the crop up. In the Blacklands, sorghum conditions ranged from good stands to slow growth. Producers continued to plant in South Central Texas and the Coastal Bend despite the dry conditions. Wilt was reported in the Coastal Bend, indicative of depleted soil moisture. The condition was mostly rated good to fair statewide. Rice producers continued planting and flooding fields in the Upper Coast. The condition of rice was mostly rated fair to good statewide. Soybean planting continued in the Blacklands, North East, and Upper Coast. Statewide, the condition was mostly rated good to fair. In the Rio Grande Valley, growers harvested spring onions, sugarcane, vegetables, and citrus under hot, dry conditions. Spinach harvest neared completion. In the San Antonio-Winter Garden, producers harvested carrots and cabbages and irrigated onions and watermelons. Watermelons made good growth in North East Texas under the warm conditions. Pecans began to break bud in the Trans Pecos and Southern High Plains. Farmers applied zinc to pecan trees and irrigated orchards in the Edwards Plateau. Peach conditions were mixed in the North East, as some trees were damaged by the freeze two weeks ago. Trees were thinned somewhat by the freeze in the Trans Pecos. Most areas reported continued supplemental feeding. Pastures that received rain two weeks ago dried out and hay was in short supply and expensive. Pond and lake levels in North East Texas began to drop again, and low pond levels were reported in South Central Texas. The South Central region saw high fly populations that hurt cattle gains. Despite the poor conditions, cattle in most areas, except South Texas, were rated fair to good. In South Texas, ranchers fed prickly pear as an emergency feed, but even that was stressed by the drought. Producers in the South and in the Coastal Bend cut deeply into herds due to the dry conditions and scarcity of hay. Ranchers across the state worked spring calves. Producers in the Edwards Plateau were busy shipping lambs and shearing. Date: 4/20/06
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