Aug. 22, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION – Many parts of Texas received rain last week, bringing better conditions for farmers and ranchers, Texas Cooperative Extension agents from throughout the state reported.

But with few exceptions, most areas are far below normal moisture for the year, and farms and home landscapes continue to suffer from drought, Extension agents reported.

However, in the far west and Coastal Bend areas, some counties have received excess rain to the point of endangering crops.

"We received a general one-half to three-quarters inches of rain across most of the county this last week," said Kyle Kight, Extension agent in Crosby County. "Although we received rain, it is too little, too late for most of it. Dryland (cotton) is sitting still, primarily bloomed to the top, and marginally irrigated cotton is also for most purposes bloomed to the top."

Rebel Royall, Extension agent in Glasscock County, reported, "Rains dropped across the county this week, bringing in the neighborhood of 3 inches to most of the county. Some parts of the county, however, have received little to none and are still in very bad condition."

Chris Edens, Extension agent in Hockley County, said, "Much-needed moisture came this week, which helps the remaining dryland cotton crop hang on."

Truman Lamb, Extension agent in Anderson County, reported, "Drought continues to melt forages and crops down. Supply of hay short and demand remain strong if hay can be found. The vegetable crop has dwindled down to nothing. "

Brian Cummins, Extension agent in Van Zandt County, said, "Cattle producers are in a real bind. Several are having to feed precious hay supplies trying to hang on. Water for livestock to drink is becoming critical."

Area reports from Extension follow:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near to below average during the week. Most of the Panhandle received some rain, from one-quarter to 3 inches in some areas. Soil moisture is rated adequate to very short with most areas reporting short. Corn is about 70 percent dent and rated fair to good. No major pest problems were reported. Cotton is rated very poor to excellent with most areas reporting fair to good. Most cotton has reached the cutout stage. Some dryland fields are a total loss. Peanuts are rated mostly fair to good with a few fields rated excellent. No pest problems were reported. Sorghum is about 70 percent headed and rated poor to good. Soybeans are rated mostly fair. No pest problems were reported on corn, peanuts, sorghum or soybean crops. Range conditions rated fair to very poor but improving with recent rains. Cattle are rated in fair to good condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: Most of the region received some rain last week. The central and eastern counties received less than a half inch, while the northern and western counties received a half to 6 inches. But the good soaking means ample moisture should be available for sowing and germinating winter wheat. Yield potential on irrigated cotton continues to look promising. Corn is drying down rapidly, and harvest should get under way in the next two weeks. Peanuts have been under constant irrigation and are in good condition. Dryland and irrigated sorghum continues to suffer from drought stress. Wheat planting is expected to begin as soon as fields dry. Pumpkins are growing well, and harvest should begin in about two weeks. Watermelon harvest is under way, but slow due to wet fields. With hay in short supply and bringing a premium price, many producers are expected to plant haygrazer as soon as fields dry out to provide more affordable and dependable feed for their cattle operations. Rangeland and improved pastures benefitted significantly from the heavy rainfall across the region.

ROLLING PLAINS: Recent rainfall has provided some relief to rangeland in parts of the area. Cotton crops are still poor, but the rain and scattered storms have provided some cooler temperatures. The district received up to 2 inches of rain. However, because of extreme heat in the area, the rains received were not enough to change the general outlook. Temperatures continue to climb above 100 F. Water tables are falling below critical levels. Cotton is dropping bolls due to extreme heat. Producers are hoping for enough moisture to plant wheat. Cattle continue to be sold due to lack of grazing, water or both.

NORTH: Most of all the corn, grain sorghum and soybeans have been harvested and baled for hay. Pasture and grazing conditions continue to decline with daytime temperatures above 100 F and no moisture. Water for livestock is becoming critical. Heavy feeding of livestock is in progress since no grazing is available. Cattle are going to local sale barns because producers don't have forage for this winter. Sweet potato producers are discouraged about the coming harvest. Some say they may not have anything to harvest and have indicated that this will be their last crop. The drought continues to take its toll on everything.

EAST: Pastures are burning up; the region is about 10 inches below normal rainfall for the year. With last year's rainfall total 25 inches below normal, the total deficit adds up to nearly an average year's worth of rain. Forage production is almost non-existent; what little forage is left is of very low quality. Cattle producers are beginning to sell cattle because of lack of forage. Cattle are having to either be given supplemental feed or fed 100 percent. Cattle market continues to be firm with some classes stronger. Livestock water is short in many areas. Herd liquidation and culling are increasing as drought severity increases. Supply of hay is short and demand is strong – if hay can be found. Hay production is about 20 percent of normal. Cost is $60 to $100 per roll for what is generally not high-quality hay. With low hay stores and short pastures, many producers have real concerns about the coming winter. Dairy producers are facing serious difficulties. Calf weaning is beginning. Grasshoppers and armyworms struck areas that received rain, further reducing forage supplies. Wood County officials have filed disaster assistance paperwork with governor's office.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture across the region ranges from very short to adequate with surplus amounts in El Paso and Hudspeth counties. Range and pasture conditions range from very poor to good, with excellent conditions reported in El Paso and Pecos counties. Cotton is in very poor to good condition. Scattered rains across the district ranged from less than a half an inch to more than 4 inches. El Paso County has had rains almost every day since July 27, and the resulting wet conditions have caused slow fiber development in cotton and the loss of at least one alfalfa cutting. The heavy rains have also damaged pasture and crop land in Hudspeth County. Wine-grape harvest in Pecos County concluded at a meager 96 tons, down about 97 percent from previous three-year average. Most livestock has been moved or sold off.

WEST CENTRAL: Above-average temperatures in the upper 90s F to 100s F continued this week. A few areas received some scattered showers. Severe drought conditions have stressed all crops, range and pastures. Wild fires continue to be a threat. Producers are beginning to harvest sorghum. Cotton is not doing very well. Hay crops are weak and in short supply. Producers are culling livestock; some are selling entire herds. Most remaining livestock are being supplementally fed. Water supply is in very short supply and storage is becoming critical. Pecan crops are very weak. Landscape trees are wilting.

CENTRAL: Range and pasture conditions continue to rapidly decline. Trees are dying, and dairy milk production is far below normal. Hay supplies are very short and expensive. Cotton yields are diminished. Short staple and low micronaire are being reported on early cotton grade repots. Stock ponds are quickly drying up. Irrigation equipment is stressed to the limit.

SOUTHEAST: The region had more than two weeks of 100 F temperatures and no rain since early July. Drought conditions are severe and worsen each week without rain. Heavy calf and cow culling is now the norm for local producers. Pastures and hay meadows are reaching their growth limit; only the irrigated fields show marginal forage production. First case of fall armyworms has been found. Lawns and shrubs are stressed from the heat. Stock ponds are drying up, leaving no water available for cattle and other livestock. Corn and milo crops are being harvested. Most soybeans are harvested. Peanut crop is pegging under stress and yields are uncertain. Some hay was baled but the heat has greatly diminished yields.

SOUTHWEST: Hot, dry weather continues. Only about 4 inches of rain have been received in the last 312 days, the driest on record. The long-term average for the same period is 20 inches. High, hot southerly winds are aggravating the drought. Since mid-April, the region has had 16 days with afternoon temperatures higher than 100 F. Ranchers continue to provide heavy supplemental feeding to remaining livestock and to provide water and feed for wildlife. The cotton harvest is gaining momentum with excellent yields from irrigated fields. Production from dry-land fields is down 80 percent. Cotton production will be down at least 50 percent from last year. Peanuts are making good progress under heavy irrigation.

COASTAL BEND: The drought continues as high heat and winds dry some areas. Some late-planted grain sorghum is doing well; a fall harvest is anticipated. One county reported 800 acres of soybeans shredded due to excess rainfall rotting the seed. Cotton and hay harvest is in full swing. Grazing and hay supplies are good to fair, but better than most of the state. Haygrazer forage is the primary source of hay being baled. Most of this production was on land that was initially planted for row crops in the early spring.

SOUTH: Soil moisture conditions have ranged from very short to adequate. Some areas of the northern region have had triple-digit temperatures and high humidity this week, which has dried soils. Extreme dryness makes it impossible to pre-water for some fall crops of sorghum, cool season oats and wheat. In the western part of the region, cotton continues to develop with some harvesting being done. In other counties, harvesting is slowing. Range and pastures are worsening with continuous hot weather, and hay baling has begun on some improved pastures.