Feb. 14, 2007

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COLLEGE STATION – Fluctuations in the weather led to improved agricultural conditions in many regions of the state, but had a negative impact in others, Texas Cooperative Extension reported.

Recent rains generally benefitted crop growth and livestock forage production, Extension reports noted, but colder temperatures in some regions worsened range conditions and perpetuated the need for the supplemental feeding of cattle. Farmers in eastern, central and southern Texas are preparing to plant – or are planting – vegetables. In the southwestern region of the state, fields are now ready for early corn, and farmers have begun to plant potatoes carrots and other vegetables.

"While planting will probably start on time, normal crop and forage production in the southwestern part of Texas will not be sustained unless additional rainfall is received," said Jose Pena, Extension economist at the Texas A&M University System Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde. "Surface moisture is still very good, but the subsoil is still dry, so it will be difficult for crops to mature unless there's more moisture for deeper penetration." Spinach, cabbage and onions have been planted in the region and currently have ideal growth conditions, Pena said. "So after planting delays due to excessive moisture in the fields, area farmers are now optimistic about these crops," he said. "But maybe cautiously optimistic is a better way to put it. "We're still way behind in our rainfall. Our cumulative rainfall from Oct. 1, 2006 to today is at 3.8 inches of rain. That's less than half of the long-term average of about 7.8 inches of rain during the same period."

The following are Extension reports from throughout the state for the past week:

PANHANDLE: Warm days early in the week were followed by below-average temperatures and overcast, foggy conditions. Land preparation for spring planting was limited due to wet fields. Soil moisture was rated mostly adequate to surplus. Cotton ginning continues, and wheat is rated mostly fair to good with excellent moisture. Range conditions were very poor to good with most areas reporting poor to fair. Cattle are in fair to good condition. Cold temperatures and muddy conditions in feedlots and wheat pasture are causing stress. Supplemental feeding continues.

SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture was adequate. The weather was sunny most of the week with temperatures in the 70s F. but the highs dropped into the 40s F toward the end of the week. Field activities included chiseling, shredding stalks, listing beds and some pre-plant herbicide applications. Most cotton ginning is complete. Wheat is in fair to good condition. Variations in temperatures have hurt wheat growth, but wet, cool temperatures are helping maintain underground moisture. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition. Cattle are in good condition and supplemental feeding was less due to warmer weather.

ROLLING PLAINS: Cold weather, rain, sleet and snow gave western parts of the area another taste of winter. The "arctic blast" led to increased supplemental feeding of livestock as pasture conditions worsened. Winter grazing was not sufficient to support cattle, and hay supplies are still extremely low. Wheat looks good, and a large number of cattle have been grazing on some wheat pastures. Many producers still trying to apply fertilizer to pastures. The eastern portion of the region warmed up a little, improving the conditions for wheat. Range conditions were fair; some heavily grazed pastures showed stress. Producers continued to supplementally feed livestock. Large ranches began fall-born calf branding. Livestock remain in good condition; however, lice are causing problems in some areas. The recent rains were helpful but more moisture is needed to provide runoff for stock ponds.

NORTH: Soil moisture was adequate to surplus. Some areas were too wet for farming activity to take place. Ground preparation for planting corn will begin later in the month if the weather permits. Winter wheat was in good condition, and most producers were able to fertilize it. In other areas, the wheat was "waterlogged," but warmer weather has helped wheat and pastures improve. Hay supplies were tight and, in some cases, exhausted. The hay shortage and high corn prices have been squeezing cattle producers. Livestock were in fair condition in spite of range and pasture shortages. Warm weather is needed to increase growth on small grains pastures. Some producers are putting on fertilizer, but so far it appears to have had little effect. No insect damage was reported, and ponds and lakes have filled.

EAST: Ponds and lakes are full and soil moisture has improved. Producers continued to supplementally feed cattle. Calf prices were up, but corn prices continued to hurt them to some degree. Preparation for vegetable planting was under way, but was hampered in some areas due to wet conditions. Early-week temperatures were in the 20s F, but increased as the week progressed. Warmer temperatures and sunlight improved forage conditions. Pond levels are at or near normal. Hay supplies are short. Cattle are in good condition thanks to supplementation, and winter forage has made good growth. Fertilizing of winter pastures continued, but was slow due to wet field conditions. Preparations for pasture planting slowed, but winter pasture made fair progress. Calving season continued. Livestock feed was supplemented with protein. Calf prices were still good in spite of higher feed costs. Livestock market prices remained steady to lower than usual. Warmer weather helped pastures and winter forages. Some fertilizer trucks are starting to put out spring application on ryegrass, but it is not producing well at this point. FAR WEST: Nothing reported.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures fluctuated and light, scattered showers were reported in a few areas. Wheat and oat crops were doing well with the recent moisture, though some wheat crops remained in poor condition. Producers may need to apply pre-emergents to control annual weeds. Range and pastures improved after recent rains. Winter forbs and grasses are growing. Livestock are in poor to fair condition. Supplemental feeding continued. Some producers are running out of hay. Stock tanks remained very low to dry. Cows are calving. 4-H'ers prepared for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

CENTRAL: Warm weather and sunshine allowed small grains and winter grasses to grow, which was a boost to livestock producers. Some land was prepared for corn and vegetables. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. Runoff is needed to insure adequate irrigation water.

SOUTHEAST: Sunshine during the middle of the week helped dry out soils and promote winter annual growth. Ryegrass or legumes were growing slowly. Excessive rains caused wet conditions. Pastures without winter rye and/or clover are losing livestock; some animals have starved. Hay availability remains low so hay sales were limited. Rains continued to delay spring land preparation.

SOUTHWEST: Surface moisture conditions were excellent, but the soil profile remained dry .Cold weather helped conserve moisture, and forage availability has improved due to recent rainfall. However, it has prevented major forage production. Fields are now ready for early corn, cotton and sorghum planting. Planting is normal, but crop and forage production will not be sustained unless additional rainfall is received. Potatoes were planted and cabbage was harvested; spinach and carrot planting was resumed as fields dried.

COASTAL BEND: Temperatures warmed but little rainfall was reported. Most row-crop farmers need to apply fertilizer for their spring crops, but field work has been limited due to excess soil moisture. Corn planting will begin as soon as fields dry adequately. Winter forages such as clovers, ryegrass, winter wheat and oats are in good shape, but need more sunshine. Wet pasture conditions have stressed livestock; producers continued to provide supplemental feed to cattle.

SOUTH: Soil moisture conditions were short to very short. Moisture was low enough in the western parts of the region to allow some controlled pasture burning. Sugarcane, citrus and vegetable harvests continued. Spring crop preparations continued.