Feb. 6, 2007

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COLLEGE STATION – Wet weather brought needed moisture to many areas of the state last week. But Texas Cooperative Extension agents report moisture in conjunction with cold temperatures stressed cattle in some areas and limited field preparation for spring planting.

"Snow and ice from over a week ago has still not completely melted in several locations, and it snowed again last night and today. Snow is in our forecast for tomorrow as well," said Kent Lewis, Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Lamb County. "Farmers are finding it hard to get any work done."

"Pecos County has received some more rain after the snow and ice of two weeks ago," reported Jed Elrod, Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Pecos County. "There is heavy supplemental feeding of livestock as the feed haulers are behind because of the road closures of two weeks ago. Wildlife ... are more stressed because winter weed production is delayed from lack of moisture but should begin their recovery once weeds begin actively growing."

"We have had some much-needed moisture in the past weeks, and this has helped a lot," said Steve Sturtz, Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Tom Green County. "All of the winter crops are thriving on the moisture."

The following are reports from Extension districts around the state:

PANHANDLE: Regional temperatures were below average all week. Snow melt is limiting field preparation for spring planting. Cotton gins continue to be active. Wheat is mostly fair to good. Range conditions are very poor to good with most areas reporting fair to good. Cattle are in fair to good condition. Wet conditions and cold temperatures are causing cattle considerable stress. Supplemental feeding continues.

SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture is adequate. This week remained cold with some light snow accumulation. Limited amounts of field work were performed this week, including some deep-breaking and listing of beds. Wheat is in fair to good condition. Though wheat leaf tips are burned back from the extremely cold temperatures, the crop will benefit from the moisture received. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition. Cattle are in good condition and supplemental feeding continues.

ROLLING PLAINS: Supplemental feeding of cattle was in full swing as cold temperatures arrived. The recent cold snap also caused more hay to be fed. The warmer weather predicted for the first of February should allow small grains to initiate new growth. The wheat prospects are still good for grain, and the chances for an above-average crop could improve with good weather. Soil moisture remains plentiful in the upper 6 inches of the soil profile in most wheat pastures. Wheat pasture, however, is still in short supply but should improve as days become longer and warmer. Grass pastures are in poor condition and will continue to be until spring, but with good moisture producers could see a speedy recovery. Greenbugs are still present in most fields but are generally only a problem in later-planted wheat. Early planted fields appear to be outgrowing the green bug damage.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranged from adequate to surplus. Conditions across some areas remained very wet. Sub-soil moisture is improving. Pecans are 100 percent harvested Winter wheat is in good to fair condition. The range is from good to very poor in some areas. Weather continues to be cold with little precipitation. The winter pastures are doing well with recent rains but could use a few days of warm weather and sunshine. Where they can get into the fields, farmers are preparing for spring planting. Soil moisture for corn planting continues to be a concern. Supplemental feeding of livestock is ongoing, with some grazing available from winter pastures.

EAST: Light rains and cold temperatures continued throughout the area. Hay supplies are running very short. Cattle prices holding. No damage due to cold temperatures or saturated soil conditions was reported. Very wet conditions in the region have resulted in good to excellent growth of winter pastures but hindered field operations, including feeding. Cattle are in good condition, but hay supplies are depleted. Winter pastures need sunshine. Growth rate is very slow due to weather conditions. Ryegrass pastures have not produced as much grazing as expected. Cattle are holding their condition, but the lack of grazing is taking a toll – especially on already thin cattle.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, and crops and pastures are in very poor to good condition. Winter wheat is in very poor to excellent condition. Oats are in poor to good condition. Supplemental feeding continues. Widely scattered showers were reported across the region, but yielded no significant accumulations. Temperatures began warming up the latter part of the week.

WEST CENTRAL: Cool temperatures continued. Most areas reported scattered showers. Soil moisture is improving. Winter crops are doing very well with recent moisture. Rangeland and pastures are improving with good growth of forage and winter forbs. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues to increase. Livestock are in fair condition. Goats and sheep are beginning to kid and lamb.

CENTRAL: Soil moisture is adequate, which has helped small grains; sunny weather is needed to help all forages. Hay is scarce, and the cattle and pastures are in poor condition. Producers are hoping for dry conditions to enable them to complete fertilization and prepare land for the corn planting.

SOUTHEAST: Cold, overcast conditions have stopped the growth of winter crops. Soils are saturated. The weather has been very wet, and producers fear cattle, already in poor condition, will be lost if the trend continues. Rain continues to delay land preparation and fertilization for the spring crops. Hay feeding continues. Limited hay sales continue, though there isn't much hay to be sold.

SOUTHWEST: Total rainfall accumulation for the month was 2.6 inches, twice the long-term average for January. But 2006 was the driest year on record with only 7 inches of rain, and the soil profile remains relatively dry. Forage availability has improved as a result of the recent rainfall, but cold weather is keeping a lid on major forage production. The cold weather has helped conserve moisture. Fields are ready for early corn, cotton and sorghum planting. Normal crop and forage production will not be sustained unless additional rainfall is received. Potato planting and cabbage, spinach and carrot harvesting resumed as fields dried from the recent rain.

COASTAL BEND: Overcast weather with scattered showers was reported. Cold weather prevailed, with temperatures below normal. Sunshine is needed to help grasses take advantage of considerable rainfall. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued.

SOUTH: Soil moisture throughout the region ranged from adequate to surplus. Colder weather and frequent precipitation has stymied the cabbage harvest but benefitted dryland wheat and oats. Native range and pastures continue to show cool-season forage production thanks to light rains in some counties. Growing conditions for spinach and broccoli were very good. There has been some planting for the upcoming season. Some pastures and rangeland have standing water, which has made early calving difficult.