April 4, 2006

Audio MP3(4.7 Mb) Audio Script

COLLEGE STATION – Except for the far western area, most parts of the state received some rain, improving rangeland and pastures and raising chances of a good start for other crops, Texas Cooperative Extension officials said.

But moisture levels overall remained below average, with many livestock producers feeding hay – if they had it – or increasing supplemental feeding of livestock.

"Only about 1.49 inches – 23 percent of the long term average -- of rain fell during Nov. 1, 2005 through March 31, 2006," said Jose Pena, Extension agricultural economist based at the Texas A&M University System Research and Extension Center at Uvalde.

"This was the third driest period on record, behind 1971 with 0.55 inches and 1954 with 1.31 inches," he said. "Hot weather, with afternoons in the low 90s, accompanied by high, dry winds, are aggravating the problem."

Crops in some parts of the state may not be salvageable, Extension experts said.

"The jury is still out on the '05-'06 wheat crop," said Galen Chandler, Extension district administrator in Vernon. "Many acres have been 'failed' by insurance adjustors, and there are many more to look at. Some wheat will be destroyed and some will be taken to harvest; it is too soon for an acre-count. Some wheat is so short, harvesting looks impossible."

Panhandle wheat was in little better condition, with the crop's condition rated from "fair to very poor," said Dr. Bob Robinson, Extension district administrator in Amarillo.

"Most fields were rated as 'very poor,'" he said. "Much of the dryland wheat will be 'disastered.'"

The following conditions were reported by Extension districts this week:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were below average. Very light rain – less than a quarter inch – fell in southern counties, allowing some green-up in wildfire-damaged areas. Isolated thunderstorms in the eastern Panhandle brought light rain and some large hail. High winds caused soil erosion and increased wildfire danger. Land preparation for spring planting continued. Soil moisture was rated short to very short. Wheat was rated fair to very poor with most fields rated as very poor.

SOUTH PLAINS: Light showers from .2 inch to a half inch – fell, followed by high winds, and wheat responded with rapid growth; however additional moisture is needed. Most fields remain in very poor condition. Soil moisture remained very short to short. Most fields were being prepared for spring planting and furrow-irrigated fields are being pre-watered. However, due to high pumping costs, most center pivot operators were holding off on pre-plant irrigations. Wheat was in very poor condition. Pastures and ranges were in very poor to poor condition. Grazing of livestock increased on previously un-grazed wheat.

ROLLING PLAINS: Moisture conditions were better than last week, but all counties could use more moisture. Wheat is two to three weeks ahead of maturity level due to the drought. Early maturing wheat will result in small heads. Because of predicted short supplies, producers were advised to start thinking about booking next year's wheat seed. Temperatures warmed up, and producers prepared for cotton planting. Warm season grasses began to emerge. Range conditions greened slightly. Livestock condition was good because of supplemental feeding. Trees were coming into full bloom. Insects – including fire ants – were starting to be seen on the move.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranged from short to surplus, and crop conditions were improving. Sorghum and soybeans were 20 percent to 30 percent planted; corn planting 90 percent completed. Wheat was in fair to good condition and yield potential remained good. Recent rains and warmer temperatures have jump-started forages. Most counties lifted burn bans. Livestock was doing better, and dairy cattle milk production was up. Weeds were vigorously growing, and feral hogs were tearing up pastures. Growers nearly completed bedding out sweet potatoes for slip production and continued land preparation for planting.

EAST: Much-needed rain fell throughout most of the district. Permanent pastures began to green up. Winter pastures were doing well; cooler, overcast conditions slowed their growth. Farmers fertilized hay fields in some areas; most hay supplies depleted. Cattle were moved to green grass as it became available. Cattle remained in good condition. Cattle prices remained steady-to-higher with good demand. Horn fly numbers increased. Spring calving continued. Much cropland was planted, and harvest of cool-season vegetables began. Freeze damage was reported on watermelons, tomatoes and potatoes.

FAR WEST: No significant rainfall reported. Soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate. Ranges and pastures were in very poor to good. Winter wheat was about 25 percent headed and in very poor to fair condition. Oats were 20 percent headed and in very poor to poor condition. In Pecos County a late hard freeze set back pecan growth about six weeks and top-killed all grape production.

WEST CENTRAL: Spring weather returned, bringing warm days and mild nights. Rain was reported in many counties, bringing improvements in rangeland and pastures. High levels of freeze damage from previous week was reported. Some cotton producers were preparing fields. Wheat yields are expected to be low. Farmers in areas that received recent rains were plowing fields in preparation for planting hay crops. Livestock remained in poor to fair condition. Hay supplies were very short, and producers continued with supplemental feeding of cattle. Livestock water sources were short in many areas. Sheep shearing was underway. Fall and some early lambs were being sold. Pecan trees were budding out.

CENTRAL: Many of the counties received rain. Freeze damaged some of the corn, milo and some peach varieties. Sorghum and corn planting continued, and cotton planting started. Spring calving continued.

SOUTHEAST: Although rain improved conditions, the district is still short of moisture. Rain slowed planting, making it impossible to get into fields in some cases. Farmers started to break ground – some already finished – but the high fuel prices and the lower market prices are making such field work problematic. Livestock were doing well. Pastures were greening up rapidly. Producers began to fertilize hay fields, hoping to get early hay harvests while moisture is available. Spring calving is continued.

SOUTHWEST: Region remains very dry. Recent spring sprouts in woody plants are starting to dry-up and die. Bluebonnets, paint brushes and other spring flowers have not bloomed. Forage availability is below normal. Officials report seeing more incidences of wildlife kills, as deer and other animals graze roadside right-of-ways during the night. Corn and some cotton was planted under irrigation. High energy costs were discouraging use of irrigation. The cabbage harvest continued.

COASTAL BEND: Temperatures were near normal except in the northern part of the district, where low temperatures caused freeze damage to early planted corn. Some fields will have to be replanted. Rainfall was reported up to a half inch with isolated locations reporting up to 2 inches. Farmers dry-planted earlier in the week. More rain was needed to get pasture grasses growing in order to relieve some of the feeding pressures. Livestock feeding continued.

SOUTH: Very dry soil moisture conditions continued throughout the region. Some areas received a little rainfall, but most did not. Scattered light showers provided some relief to farmers and ranchers. Harvest of citrus, sugarcane and vegetable crops continued. The spring onion harvest gained momentum, and newly planted cotton was being irrigated. Some cotton and sorghum germinated, but the quality of the season depends upon future rains. Ranchers continued supplemental feeding of livestock.