July 31, 2007

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COLLEGE STATION --While the persistent rains throughout most of the state have broken the long-standing drought, results have been both a blessing and a curse to farmers and livestock producers, according to Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

Less rain in several Texas regions this week provided the opportunity to "make hay" and harvest crops; producers in the Panhandle even needed to irrigate cotton and sorghum crops. But in other areas of the state, excess rainfall continued and farmers and ranchers continued to struggle with its effects.

"Our year-to-date average for cumulative rainfall in the Southwest region is now 140 percent of the long-term average," said Jose Pena, an Extension economist with the Texas A&M Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde. "It's been difficult for farmers to get into their fields and harvest, especially with heavy equipment. It has basically brought the corn and sorghum harvest to a halt for now."

High humidity and overcast skies are causing additional crop problems, Pena added.

"A lot of corn and grain sorghum is sitting on saturated fields," he said. "With that and the high humidity there's been a lot of mold, and a lot of grain sorghum has been sprouting in the head."

Wet fields not only have delayed harvesting, but also planting of new crops, he said.

Pena also noted that although the rains have improved pastures and rangeland, providing excellent forage conditions, the effect of the 2005-2006 drought and high production costs have slowed down U.S. cattle herd expansion.

"The rain has been both good and bad for this region," he said. "Though many producers are having crop quality, harvesting or planting difficulties, others are OK. For example, the area's cotton crop is looking good, and we just finished a decent peach and watermelon harvest."

Texas Cooperative Extension experts offered the following reports:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near normal all week. Rain was light and isolated, ranging from trace to one-quarter inch. Soil moisture was short to adequate. Corn is rated fair to excellent with most areas reporting good. Irrigation is heavy. Corn borer moths are active and spider mites continue to be reported. Cotton is rated mostly fair and is about two weeks behind on heat unit accumulation. Cotton fleahoppers, lygus bugs and cotton aphids are infesting a few fields. Peanuts are rated mostly good with no pest problems. Sorghum is rated fair to excellent with no major pest problems at this time. Soybeans are rated mostly good with no pest problems. Range grasses are beginning to dry out since no significant rain has fallen. Conditions vary from very poor to excellent with most areas reporting good. Cattle are in excellent condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: Warm and dry weather continued this week. Wheat harvest is complete; excellent yields and prices have been reported. Corn is in good to excellent condition, and its potential looks very promising. Cotton is in fair to good condition, and most has reached or slightly passed bloom. Grain sorghum is in good condition and progressing well. Some producers are irrigating cotton and sorghum crops. Peanuts are in good condition and are pegging. Pumpkins continue to progress well with some irrigation. Sunflowers continue to mature. Pastures and ranges are in good to excellent condition but beginning to show signs of needing rainfall in some areas. Livestock are in good condition with moderate temperatures and excellent grazing in pastures.

ROLLING PLAINS: Temperatures remained generally mild across the region, providing good growing conditions for forage and crops. Cotton is a little behind. Livestock is in generally good to excellent condition. Hay is being harvested with excellent yields, but in the western portion of the region alfalfa hay producers are having a tough time baling good quality hay. Rainfall has occurred at the wrong time during nearly every cutting. The peach harvest has been good, but brown rot from wet, humid conditions has caused lower yield potential. Pastures continue to grow. In isolated areas, grasshoppers and fly populations remain high in most cattle herds. Hay operations are in full swing as weather allows.

NORTH: Soil moisture is mostly adequate with some surplus. A few scattered showers throughout the week slowed some agricultural activity. Corn is maturing rapidly and in good to excellent condition. Producers have taken advantage of dry weather to harvest hay and wheat. A few fields are still too muddy to harvest. Several producers reported tractors and balers stuck during the week. Wheat quality has diminished greatly. Bushel weights are mostly all below 50 pounds and the wheat is being graded as feed quality. Much hay was rolled during the drier weather. Hay yields are high, but the quality is disappointing. Wheat and oat harvesting is nearing completion. Soybeans are in good to excellent condition, but soybean rust has been found in some areas and fungicide has been applied. Forage production is excellent, and there are good to excellent range and pasture conditions. Cotton is in good condition and the cattle market has been very active. Insect populations, especially grasshoppers and crickets, have increased significantly.

EAST: A break in the rain allowed producers to harvest hay, but the quality is expected to be lower. Forage production is great for grazing. Some disease problems associated with pecans, peaches, blueberries, melons, peas and tomatoes have been reported. Horn flies are problem, but cattle prices this week were steady to firm. Cherokee County was declared eligible for assistance because of flooding. An agricultural disaster declaration and public assistance declaration are still being processed.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, with most counties receiving scattered showers. Terrell County received almost 2 inches of rain. Ranges and pasture remain in overall good condition, though some did not receive adequate rainfall. The corn crop is poor to good and cotton is fair to good. Sorghum quality is fair to good with the majority heading out and showing some coloring. The watermelon harvest continues and the pumpkins are on track for a fall harvest.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures have remained below normal this week with very high humidity. Some scattered showers were reported, but most of the region had no rainfall for the week. Some late wheat harvesting continues. Sorghum looks good. Many producers are cutting and baling hay with above-average yields. Conditions have been excellent for growing cotton and peanuts. The corn crop is mature and waiting for some dry weather for harvest. Grasshoppers and crickets have begun to make an appearance, but no significant damage has been reported. Range and pasture conditions remain excellent. Livestock are in fair to excellent condition. Anthrax has been found in a few counties and 17 head of cattle were lost, so producers are vaccinating. Internal parasites continue to be a problem in sheep and goats. Rainy conditions and high humidity are causing mold and rotted fruits and vegetables. Pecans remain good with reports of powdery mildew and scab being found.

CENTRAL: Some areas received rain while others did not. The corn and sorghum growers could face serious economic loss if they don't harvest the over-mature crops. Drier weather has allowed some wheat harvest, hay baling and cotton planting.

SOUTHEAST: Rain all week has continued to slow hay harvest. Rainfall amounts vary but soil moisture is generally high. Heavy rains and flooding continued. Grain sorghum activity has ended; only about 15 percent was harvested. Grain fields remain in standing water, and the Brazos River was 2 feet above flood stage. Producers are advised to keep cattle and equipment away from the flood plain. Little to no hay was harvested. Cotton is producing excess foliage as a result of moisture. While sorghum previously showed good yield potential, that has dropped due to sprouting, spoilage and insects. Some early planted rice is ready for harvest, but no harvesting has been done. The milo harvest is significantly delayed. Corn yield and grade is expected to deplete quickly due to insect and disease damage. Stink bugs have been reported in harvested sorghum.

SOUTHWEST: From 2 to 7 inches of rain saturated or nearly saturated soils in a large part of the area, causing flooding and soil erosion. Year-to-date cumulative total rainfall is 140 percent or more of the long-term average. Cool weather is helping crops progress, but high humidity and overcast skies are causing some crops to deteriorate. The rain stopped the corn and sorghum harvest. Forage availability is above average. Cotton is making excellent progress. The watermelon and peach harvests are nearly complete. Peanut planting is finally complete, but behind schedule due to wet fields.

COASTAL BEND: Nothing reported.

SOUTH: Very wet conditions continue to hamper field operations in the mid parts of the region, including the harvesting of sorghum and corn. The corn is 100 percent silked and 100 percent of sorghum is headed, with about 80 percent harvested. Producers in Zavala County had to rush corn and milo harvesting during a break in the rain, but some fields were too wet for heavy harvesting equipment. Livestock producers are pleased with forage from greatly improved native pastures. Livestock are in excellent condition. In Starr County, grain crops were completely harvested – even though there was additional rainfall.