Aug. 31, 2006

COLLEGE STATION – While certain regions have received some rain, drought conditions prevailed throughout most of the state, according to Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

"We received rain in most of our 24 counties, ranging from 0.5 inch to 3.5 inches," said Galen Chandler, Extension district administrator for the Rolling Plains. "The moisture combined with the cooler weather gave farmers and ranchers some relief. The rains will help with preparations for sowing wheat this fall, plus it has begun to green up some the rangeland grasses throughout the Rolling Plains, which is helping area livestock producers."

While last week's rains also benefitted the Panhandle, South Plains and North regions, the drought continued in the western, southern and central parts areas of the state.

The unusually hot weather has further aggravated the dry spell, said Jose Pena, Extension economist at the Texas A&M University System's Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde.

"By the end of the past week, the Southwest district had about 20 days of 100-degree-plus heat in the month of August," Pena said. "This record-breaking heat has made crop and livestock production even more challenging for area farmers and ranchers."

Corn and sorghum harvest in that region are now complete, but yields have been disappointing, he said.

"Production is down 70 to 80 percent from last year," he said. "There was very little produced on our dryland fields, and the yields from irrigated fields were reduced. Also, the heat from earlier in the year, especially April and May, may have had an impact on corn quality, so we're monitoring that situation."

On the positive side, cotton is doing well at this time, he added.

"Last year was a record-breaking year for cotton, he said. "And this year, because cotton is a good hot-weather crop, we expect it to do well again, but not to produce the kind of yields as last year."

The drought and heat have also made it economically feasible for many landowners in that region to use grass and other forage materials to support wildlife for hunting and other recreational uses versus using it for livestock production, he said.

Area reports from Extension follow:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were below average at the start of the week, but were above normal by week's end. The region finally received some much-needed rain. Rain from 1 to 3 inches was reported in many areas, with a few isolated areas receiving 4 to 6 inches. Soil moisture was rated from surplus to very short, but most reports showed it to be adequate to short. Some early planted corn is fully mature, while most of the crop is in the dent stage. Silage harvest continues. Cotton is reported mostly fair to good, and some bolls have begun to open. A few bollworm problems were reported. Sorghum continues to head, and some fields are turning color. Head worms are a problem in a few fields. Peanuts are rated mostly fair to good with a few fields rated excellent. No pest problems reported. Soybeans are rated mostly fair to good with no pest problems. Wheat planting is temporarily halted by recent rains. Rains have improved range conditions and reduced the fire danger threat. Cattle are rated in fair to good condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: Rainfall received this week across most of the region ranged from 0.7 to 4 inches. Soil moisture was short. Cotton is in poor to fair condition. Dryland cotton has reached cutout, and irrigation wells are beginning to be shut off on irrigated cotton. Corn has dried down, and some fields have been harvested. Peanuts are in fair to good condition and will need some hot, dry weather to finish out. Dryland sorghum probably won't be harvested and irrigated sorghum has reached the heading stage. Pumpkins are progressing well, and harvest will begin within the next week. Pastures and ranges are in very poor to poor condition. Cattle are in fair to good condition and supplemental feeding continues.

ROLLING PLAINS: Counties across the region have recently received scattered rain from a trace amount up to 6 inches. Most summer crops are too far gone to recover, but this will help pastures and improve the chance for fall and winter wheat pasture. Temperatures were in the 100s F, but were moderated by recent rain showers. Livestock are maintaining condition but some early culling and shipping of yearlings continues.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from short to very short. Scattered showers provided a little relief and eased the triple-digit temperatures, but there was still great need of moisture. Corn and grain sorghum have been harvested or baled. The yield was far below average. Most soybeans were baled for hay. Farmers are hoping for more rain as they prepare for the planting of winter wheat, oats and winter annual pastures. Pastures are deteriorating fast with the heat and lack of rainfall. Since most pastures are burned up, hay is expensive, providing it can even be found. Pastures in some areas are already dormant for the year. Some trees are dying because of the extreme heat. Cattle markets are being flooded as cattlemen continue to reduce herd numbers, including selling light-weight calves. Stock ponds continue to shrink.

EAST: Some counties received scattered showers this past week; most did not. Amounts ranged from trace to about 1 inch. Conditions were very dry and the burn ban continued. Cattle were holding their own and remained in fair to good body condition. For many stock ponds, water is becoming an issue. Hay harvest has slowed with dry conditions as compared to two weeks ago, with supplies at 20 percent of normal. Producers are moving cattle due to grass shortages. The quality of cows offered is getting worse as the drought continues. Producers continue to reduce numbers because of poor pasture conditions and the high price of hay. Dryland cotton is poor at best, while irrigated cotton is holding on. Yields are expected to be lower and input cost higher. Pecan production was off due to lack of water and high heat. Pastures are burned up, and hay is expensive, provided it can be found. Upshur County filed for disaster relief, while some parts of Wood County got a little rain. Hay is in very short supply with producers feeding hay that was supposed to be used in the winter.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture was very short to adequate. El Paso County is reporting a surplus of moisture due to all the recent rains received. Range and pasture conditions range from very poor to fair conditions with El Paso County reporting excellent conditions. Cotton is in very poor to good condition. Cattle prices continue to decline. Livestock producers are stretching their hay supply while hoping for rain so they might get some fall and winter grazing vegetation. Due to the recent rains in El Paso County, cotton quality and yield are expected to suffer.

WEST CENTRAL: Extremely hot, dry conditions continued this week with highs in the triple digits. A few counties have reported scattered rain. Soil conditions for planting crops is very poor. Most small grain fields are being readied for sowing, but must wait for moisture. Most hay fields have been grazed, cut down or plowed under. Cotton crops continue to suffer from the severe heat. Dryland cotton is a total loss while irrigated cotton is doing very well. Yields look to be very low. Some corn crops were green chopped and the majority of milo is a loss. Soil insects and armyworms are becoming a problem. Weevil problems are expected in pecans. Livestock producers are supplementally feeding and hauling water. Producers continue selling off their livestock due to drought conditions. Cattle prices remain steady.

CENTRAL: Severe drought conditions prevail. Ranchers are feeding hay, and many are beginning to liquidate cattle. Corn harvest is winding down, and cotton harvest should be in full swing next week. Pecan drop is very short, and those with yield potential are seeing many of those trees shed pecans due to high heat and stress.

SOUTHEAST: Everything is burning up or has been gone for awhile. Cows and calves are being culled very heavily now due to limited grazing and the cost to keep and feed them all winter. The pecan crop is falling due to shuckworm damage. All available corn and milo stubble is being baled up, as are johnsongrass patches. Prussic acid is a problem, and will be a major problem when it rains. Some Asian Soybean Rust was found in the county this past week and some fields had varying degrees of downy mildew, as well as stink bugs. Livestock are doing well with no report of any large-scale disease or pests. Producers were able to get hay cut and baled. Cattle are doing very well as there is adequate forage material for them to eat.

SOUTHWEST: While the northern part of the district received sporadic rain, the region remained almost completely dry. This has been the driest year on record with only 8.6 inches of rain, compared to a long-term average of 26.7 inches for the same period. Abnormally hot temperatures and high southerly winds aggravated the dry spell. August is ending as the hottest month on record, and the winds are causing dust storms. The cotton harvest has peaked and started to wind down. While yields are excellent from irrigated fields with significant water, cotton production this season is down about 70 percent from last year. Ranchers are concerned with road fires and the rate of wildlife survivability as a result of dry stock tanks. There was almost no forage left.

COASTAL BEND: Nothing reported.

SOUTH: Hot and dry soil moisture conditions continue throughout most of the region. Some northern parts of the region received scattered showers, which slightly improved range conditions. Hay bailing continued in improved pastures, but has begun to slow down in western areas due to excessive heat and dry forage. Preparations for fall vegetable crops are under way. Cotton harvesting continued in some parts of the district.