April 25, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION - Much-needed rain fell across portions of the state recently, offsetting record-breaking high temperatures and improving the outlook for crop and forage production, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

In the Rolling Plains, up to 3.5 inches of rain was recorded, said Galen Chandler, district Extension administrator in Vernon.

"Pastures are showing signs of more green forage," he said. "However, stock water supplies remain low."

In the North, producers were fertilizing fields in anticipation of more moisture, said Tony Douglas, district Extension administrator at Dallas.

"Some much-needed rain fell late in the week," he said. "Rainfall amounts varied from six-tenths (of an inch) to over 2 inches."

However, in the Southwest, records for dry conditions continue to be set.

"April is rapidly coming to a close, (and is) tied with 1920 as the second driest April on record with only about .06 of an inch of total rainfall," said Cheryl Mapston, district Extension administrator in Uvalde.

"The period from mid-October 2005 to date is the driest period on record with only about 1.5 inches of rain compared to a long-term average of close to 9 inches of rain for the same period."

The rain helped settle dust, but "it was not considered economically significant to make a difference in this spring's agricultural production," Mapston said.

"Unseasonably warm weather with afternoon temperatures averaging about 10 degrees above the typical average for this time of the year are aggravating the dry spell. Livestock herds have been thinned and the drought will have a significant impact on wildlife," she said.

District Extension officials reported the following:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were above average most of the week. A mid-week cool front dropped temperatures to about normal for a couple days. The cool front triggered a few showers primarily in areas south of the Panhandle. Rain amounts were generally less than one-quarter of an inch with isolated reports of one-half to three-quarters of an inch. Windy and dry conditions continue to cause soil erosion and high wildfire danger. Land preparation for summer crops continues. Soil moisture is short to very short. Corn planting continues to make progress. Stands are rated fair. Wheat is rated very poor to fair with most areas reporting very poor. Irrigation is very active. Range conditions are mostly poor to very poor. Green-up has been very limited as soil moisture is inadequate. Cattle condition is rated fair to good. Supplemental feeding remains active.

SOUTH PLAINS: From .5 inches to 2 inches of rain fell this week. Soil moisture is very short to short. Irrigation systems continue to operate before planting begins. Wheat is in very poor to poor condition. Irrigation has been used on wheat fields that will be going to grain harvest. Pastures and ranges are in very poor to poor condition. Cattle are in fair to good shape with supplemental feeding continuing on a limited basis.

ROLLING PLAINS: Rains of .4 inches to 3.5 inches improved the outlook for spring forage production. Temperatures have been very warm, reaching the 90s F. Cotton farmers distributed herbicides in preparation for planting. Pastures are showing signs of more green forage. Stock water supplies remain low. Several producers are preparing ground or planting sudan since the wheat crop was a failure. Supplemental feeding for some ranchers continues. Livestock body conditions are acceptable and fly population is building.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate, and corn is 100 percent planted with 40 percent to 100 percent emerged. Sorghum, soybeans and wheat conditions are poor to good. Pastures are in poor to good condition and 10 percent to 80 percent of cotton has been planted. Producers were putting out fertilizer at the beginning of the week. In some areas, wheat and oats are strictly used for grazing, hay and silage. Rainfall amounts varied from .6 inches to over 2 inches. Daytime temperatures in the upper 90s F and nighttime temperatures in the upper 60s F.

EAST: Record-setting temperatures and up to 4 inches of rain were reported, with most counties receiving only slight amounts of rain. In drier areas, producers have not been able to fertilize warm season pastures, which are beginning to be stressed. Winter pastures are declining quickly and pond water levels are getting low. Pastures are being grazed short. In areas that have received significant rainfall, fertilization of pastures is increasing. Some producers have been able to make their first cuttings; others are looking to get their first cutting. Cattle are in good condition. Some producers have gone back to supplemental feeding of livestock. Horn flies and hoof flies have been reported. Some cattle prices were down. Spring calving continues. Non-irrigated vegetables benefitted from rainfall this week, but are still short of needed moisture for average yields.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate, and crops and pastures are in very poor to good condition. Cotton is up to 40 percent planted. Winter wheat ranges from very poor to good conditions, with as much as 80 percent to 100 percent headed. Oats are in very poor to fair condition, with 20 percent to 100 percent headed. Sorghum is in poor to fair condition. Very widely scattered showers fell in the region, which is still very hot, windy in need of more rain.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures remained above average this week. Conditions were very hot, dry and windy. Much needed rainfall was reported in many areas, helping to bring down temperatures and improving soil moisture. Some areas continue to have problems with wild fires. Preparing and planting fields for hay production and fertilizing hay fields is underway. No field activity was reported in areas that received rainfall. Wheat crops are heading with a few fields maturing or yellowing in the heat. Winter wheat that has some green is being grazed by livestock. Range and pastures should show growth and improve greatly from the recent rains. Stock tanks remain very low. Spring livestock work continues. Livestock remain in poor to fair condition, but are improving with spring green-up. Insects are becoming a problem. Pecan trees are completely leafed out. Zinc application continues on pecan trees.

CENTRAL: Most areas received rain last week but still need more. Pasture conditions remain poor and hay production will remain low. Corn and other planted crops are very poor except for those that were irrigated. A continued drought will cause water shortages. Pecans are doing well but irrigation has begun. Some areas received hail damage.

SOUTHEAST: The weather is very hot and dry for this time of the year. No moisture has fallen to assist with fertilization. Rain would benefit all crops. Temperatures reached the mid- to upper 90s F three days during the week. No additional soybean rust spotted in crops.

SOUTHWEST: Forage availability is severely below average. Onions, corn, cotton, watermelons, cantaloupes and potatoes are making good progress under heavy irrigation. Peanut planting is gradually gaining momentum. Crops under dryland condition are not making progress.

COASTAL BEND: Trace amounts of rain were reported with hot, windy, dry and severe drought conditions continuing. Most crops already showing drought stress. Dry-planted fields lack the moisture to get a stand. Pasture conditions are extremely poor. Ranchers continue to cull and sell more of their herds. Hay supplies are still extremely low.

SOUTH: Throughout the region, soil moisture conditions remain short to very short. The onion harvest is wrapping up. Cotton and grain sorghum emerged in some areas, but the lack of moisture and continued high temperatures will affect growth. Cabbage harvesting continues in some areas, and haying continues on irrigated lands. Due to severe drought, prices of hay per round and square bales has significantly increased. Culling of cattle continues at area sale barns.