Dec. 6, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION – Many agricultural producers are still shivering from an arctic blast that brought single-digit temperatures to some areas of the state. Some producers received ice and snow with the cold air, but are thankful because of the associated moisture, reported Texas Cooperative Extension agents.

Though the moisture brought some drought relief, many counties are still moisture-short for the year, and the colder temperatures mean more hay feeding to help livestock withstand the cold, Extension agents said.

"Cooler temps and recent rainfall has eased the dry problems, but conditions are still dire, as ponds and lakes are low, and winter pasture that has been planted is in need of moisture and under stress," reported Randy Reeves, Extension agent for agriculture in Harrison County.

"We have gotten a half inch in the past week," reported Crispin Skinner, Extension agent Nacodoches County. "However, that little bit of rainfall needs to followed up with even more to keep us on the rise in getting out of the drought that we are still in."

The following conditions were reported by Extension districts this week:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures started the week above average, then a midweek arctic cold front dropped them far below normal – in the single digits and low teens. The cold front brought snow to most of the area, with accumulations ranging from a trace to nearly 8 inches. The snow will help wheat conditions, but it would have been much more beneficial had it not been accompanied with high winds. Much of the snow ended up in fence rows, road sides and into some fields, slowing harvest. Soil moisture was rated very short to adequate with most areas reporting short. The cotton harvest is about 85 percent complete. Sorghum harvest is about 95 percent complete. Wheat was rated mostly fair to good. Range conditions were rated mostly fair. Fire danger was high. Cattle were in fair to good condition. Bitter cold, snow and high winds caused considerable stress on area cattle. Supplemental feeding continued.

SOUTH PLAINS: The cold front brought temperatures as low as the teens, with highs near freezing. Snowfall ranged from 1-6 inches. Soil moisture is short to adequate. The snow and cold weather will delay harvesting activities for a few days. The cotton and sorghum harvests were nearing completion. The peanut harvest was complete. Wheat was in fair to good condition. The moisture received with the snow should help wheat regain good growth. Pastures and ranges were in poor to fair condition. The high winds and low temperatures created extreme wind chillss that stressed area livestock, and supplemental feeding continued.

ROLLING PLAINS: A snowstorm blew through the region, bringing much needed moisture along with some very cold temperatures. It is hoped that the freeze will kill off some of the insect pests that are slowly building up in the wheat crop. Wheat planting continued at a good pace. Most wheat emerged and was in good condition. The cotton harvest continued at a slow pace as no one is very excited about the crop or the price. A small percentage of cattle were turned out on winter wheat prior to the freezing rain and snow. Many producers are expected to put cattle on winter wheat soon. Haying and supplemental feeding of cattle is currently an everyday chore for producers across the district. The snow and freezing rain have helped with the soil moisture, but more rain is needed to fill stock tanks.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate. Light rains, ice and sleet followed unseasonably mild weather. Along with the hard freeze, some areas received 1-2 inches of moisture. The cold weather killed off warm-season vegetation. The effect on wheat is yet to be determined, but in some areas the crop looked good, and yield prospects were excellent. Winter wheat was from 80 percent to 100 percent emerged. Oats were 100 percent planted. Pecans were from 10 percent to 90 percent harvested. Some winter pasture was been grazed, but most will not be ready until spring. With the temperatures dropping, livestock will be stressed for a few days. Producers are feeding cattle and trying to stretch hay supplies. Winter crops and pastures have emerged and look fair to good, but need more moisture. Livestock water is still critical. Most counties reported range and pastures in poor to very poor condition.

EAST: Warm-season grasses will go dormant after the cold winter blast. However, cool-season pastures are making good growth as rain accompanied the cold front in much of the district. Cattle prices were still a little off due to lack of hay and pasture on mature cattle. Corn still restricts the calf market. Poinsettia shipping is progressing well, with about 45 percent of the crop shipped. Some rainfall occurred in the region. Supplemental feeding of cattle increased. Hay supplies were extremely short .

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate, and ranges and pastures were in very poor to excellent condition. Winter wheat was in very poor to good condition. Oats were in fair to good condition. Val Verde County reported damaging winds up to 57 mph. The first good freeze was reported across most of the region.

WEST CENTRAL: The first hard freeze and heavy frost of the season occurred this week. Temperatures were much colder, with some areas reporting slight precipitation, sleet, snow flurries and high winds. Cotton harvest slowed due to inclement weather. Range and pastures continued to decline due to lack of moisture. Supplemental feeding of livestock increased. Hay supplies were short. Stock tanks were too low for livestock to drink from, so water was being hauled. Some livestock marketing occurred this week. Producers were selling off cattle to reduce numbers going into a hard winter. The pecan harvest was mostly complete with an extremely light crop expected this year.

CENTRAL: Rain and sleet may helped small grains. Pecan harvest continued. Most counties received the first hard freeze. Supplemental feeding continued.

SOUTHEAST: Cool weather late in the week has pretty well shut down Bermuda grass growth. Rains this week helped promoted good winter annual growth. Many winter pastures will be ready to use soon. The Waller County rice crop was 100 percent harvested . Cold temperatures closed out the week, accompanied by a little rainfall. Peanut harvest was complete. Cattlemen were busy hauling hay and protein supplements to livestock. The remaining hay has been baled. Deer hunters continue to harvest really nice sized bucks. Fall calving is in full swing, with some concern over lack of winter grazing. Oat, wheat and ryegrass pastures need rainfall to boost growth. The pecan crop yield was very low. Overall, pastures look good. Hay supplies were critical. Import of hay from out of county continued as local supplies are limited. Some hay was already being fed, but most of the hay demand will come in January and February. Bedding work was being done. The ratoon grain sorghum and rice harvests continued. Hay harvest was nearly complete. Livestock were doing well at this point. Ryegrass pastures were doing well.

SOUTHWEST: A four-day cold spell with early morning temperatures in the high 20 s F caused grasses to enter mid-winter dormancy. But some pastures and ranges were already dormant as a result of the continuing severe drought. A large portion of the Southwest Texas region has been completely dry for the 40 days since Oct. 25. The last 19-month period, from April 05 to Dec. 4, 2006, was the driest period on record with only 16.8 inches of rain. The second driest period on record was from April, 1934 through Dec. 4, 1934, with slightly more than 24 inches of rain. The incidence of roadside fires has increased, as has the rate of wildlife roadkill. The peanut and cabbage harvest continued. Peanut yields were down. The spinach and green bean harvests should start soon. Hunting and associated activities continued to dominate rancher and rural activity, especially during weekends.

COASTAL BEND: Soil moisture is short as no significant rain has been received. Cool fronts have dried out soils, and frosts ended pasture growth. The first freeze of the season occurred in most of the reporting area. Rainfall is needed to support winter grasses, germinate winter crops and resupply soil moisture in preparation for next year's crops. The major activities in row-crop fields have been cultivation and fertilization. Demand of supplemental feeding for livestock has increased.

SOUTH: Throughout most of the region, conditions have been mild with no moisture. Producers continued irrigating cabbage, carrots, spinach and onion fields. Fresh-market spinach harvests began late this week, and sugar cane and citrus harvests continued. Fall-vegetable producers in some areas prepared for a light freeze that was expected at the end of this week. Fields were being prepared for the 2007 crop season . Pastures and rangelands need rain. Lack of moisture on rangeland and pastures has livestock producers concerned about cool-season forage production. Warm-season forage production ceased with dropping temperatures. An increase of supplemental feeding of livestock was expected.