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Drought conditions continue to plague producersTexas Mild, windy conditions were prevalent across most areas of the state during the week ending July 13, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Texas Field Office, July 14. Drought conditions continued to plague the vast majority of producers, as there were several reports of grass fires. Producers in some areas of the state were spaying weeds in cotton fields. Cooler temperatures were experienced in some areas of the Edwards Plateau. Southern Texas, parts of the Northern High Plains, and areas along the Mexican border experienced the most rainfall with 0.50 to 2.0 inches, as isolated showers brought as much as 3 to 6 inches to some sections. The remaining areas of the state only received traces of rain. Range and pasture conditions continued to decline due to high temperatures and lack of moisture. Supplemental feeding was ongoing across many areas of the state. Hay quality has become a concern in many areas of the state as fertilization of pastures has decreased due to high fertilizer costs. Throughout the state, harvest of small grains was virtually complete except for some late planted wheat in the Northern High Plains. Weather conditions have been detrimental to the cotton crop in the Southern High Plains, as recent reports have indicated losses as high as 100,000 acres in some sections. In the Low Plains, cotton was in all stages as many producers continued to re-plant fields destroyed by early season storms. Reports of failed or very poor crops continue to surface as insurance adjusters continue assessing damage. Meanwhile, wet conditions in the Lower Valley delayed harvest. Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide. Corn tasseling continued to increase in the Northern High Plains, while some producers in the Blacklands have already begun harvest. Harvest continued in South Central Texas with marginal results. Statewide, corn condition was mostly fair to good. Sorghum planting continued in the Northern High Plains. Sorghum condition was mostly fair to good statewide. Across the state, peanuts continued to improve, and pegging was ongoing. Statewide, peanut condition was mostly fair to good. Despite the high temperatures and lack of moisture, vegetable harvest continued. In North East Texas, peaches continued to look good. Wine grape production was doing well with some harvest underway in the Trans-Pecos area. Quality of native pastures continued to deteriorate in the Southern Low Plains. In North East Texas, grazing pastures were poor, as some producers tried to supplement with hay where applicable. Some pastures in South East Texas began to burn up due to temperatures in the higher 90's and lack of moisture. However, recent rains in South Central and South Texas have increased the outlook on ranges and pastures. Increased moisture in these areas has nurtured some native ranges and pastures back to life, as growth has increased very quickly. This increased rainfall had also contributed to improved levels of stock tanks in South Central and South Texas. Tank levels across most other areas of the state continued to decrease due to the lack of rainfall. Range and pasture condition was mostly poor to fair statewide. 7/21/08 Date: 7/15/08 Advertisement
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