April 14, 2006

COLLEGE STATION – Soil dried, wind blew strongly and fire chances climbed, but in many areas of the state, farmers sowed optimism by preparing for spring crop planting, according to reports from Texas Cooperative Extension.

"Recent rain stimulated interest in planting spring crops," said Galen Chandler, district Extension administrator in Vernon. "Some producers are beginning to plant Sudan and work or spray cotton ground."

"Rangeland and pastures showed great improvement with recent rains," said Scott Durham, district Extension administrator in San Angelo. "Warm-season grasses are breaking dormancy. Some cool-season grasses are providing grazing for livestock."

Still, no area of Texas would turn down a steady, soaking rain, Extension reports noted. High winds were reported throughout the western and central regions of the state, which caused more soil drying.

Regional Extension officials offered these reports:

PANHANDLE: High winds caused considerable soil erosion and increased wildfire danger to very high. Land preparation and pre-watering for spring planting were active. A few acres of corn have been planted. Wheat condition is mostly very poor to good. A few fields have been sprayed to control greenbugs. Range conditions are mostly poor to very poor. Soil moisture has been inadequate to promote crop growth. Cattle condition is fair to good. Spring calving is under way. Supplemental feeding remains active.

SOUTH PLAINS: Weather conditions were dry and very windy, with gusts up to 56 mph. Soil moisture is short to very short. Field work included fertilizer applications and pre-irrigation. A good rain would be beneficial before steady planting starts. Wheat, pastures and ranges are in poor to very poor condition. Additional rainfall is needed for warm-season grasses to grow. Cattle are in good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: Warm days with very high winds into the 35-50 mph range were reported. Recent rain was too late to help the much of the wheat crop. Most producers have turned cattle back into pastures for grazing. Alfalfa fields under pivots are greening up. Range conditions are looking better and less supplemental feeding is being done. Brush work continues with several thousand acres of range being sprayed for weeds. Livestock are in good condition.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranged from short to surplus. Almost all corn has been planted with more than 75 percent emerging. More than 25 percent of the sorghum and soybean crops have been planted. Wheat condition ranged from poor to good with 20 percent headed. The peach crop received light freeze damage. Winter pastures continued to green up. Some winter pastures were cut for hay. Weather conditions were extremely windy with daytime temperatures in the upper 80s F and nighttime lows in the upper 60s F.

EAST: Very little rainfall was reported. Strong winds in some areas dried the soil; warm temperatures aided growing conditions and the spring flush of grass growth is very good. Winter forages showed good growth. Some producers planted grasses. Pasture fertilization began. Cattle were in good to excellent condition and spring calving began.

FAR WEST: Widely scattered showers were reported. Livestock were in good condition. Winter wheat ranged from very poor to good condition. Oats ranged from very poor to good condition. Fire hazards remained high.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures were mild to warm with cool nights. High winds dried out pastures and fields. Field preparation for spring planting increased. Some fields were planted in forages. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. Pecan trees showed signs of spring greening. Some work began in pecan orchards.

CENTRAL: Pastures have greened up due to earlier rains, but most of the area needs additional moisture. High winds dried fields quickly. Freeze hit wheat hard. Sorghum and cotton planting continued. Watermelon planting began. Spring calfing was in full swing.

SOUTHEAST: The weather was warm and dry. With the high price of fuel, most people are waiting for rain so money is not wasted in the fields. Most producers are out of hay. Pastures look good but need a good rain. Fertilizer application began. Land was plowed for peanuts. Sweet corn and other vegetables were planted as were watermelon and cantaloupe. Ponds are very low. The peach crop looked good. Pecan trees were in early leaf to three-fourths leafing.

SOUTHWEST: The region remains completely dry. Under drought stress, spring growth is limited. Forage availability is below normal. Corn, cotton and spring vegetables that can be irrigated have been planted and are up to excellent stands. The cabbage harvest continued. Onions, potatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes made good progress under heavy irrigation.

COASTAL BEND: No report was available this week.

SOUTH: Soil moisture conditions continue to be short to very short. High winds combined with extremely dry conditions stressed many row crops. Citrus, vegetables and sugarcane harvesting continued. Producers are trying to keep enough moisture on crops such as corn, cotton and cabbage. The spinach harvest has ended in some parts of the region. Hay supplies continue to become scarce leaving many livestock producers with supplemental feeding as their only option. Some ranchers have begun to cull and sell their cattle to decrease the stocking rate and help prevent overgrazing due to low forage levels.