June 28, 2006

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SAN ANGELO – "In general, range conditions are typical for this time of the year," said Dr. Allan McGinty, Texas Cooperative Extension range specialist at San Angelo.

McGinty said rainfall has been spotty and scarce for most of west and central Texas, resulting in short and ever decreasing forage supplies, especially in the western half of the region.

He said weeks of high temperatures coupled with high winds have dried standing forage supplies, increasing the risk of wildfire in many counties.

"On the brighter side, conditions to aerially spray mesquite have been above average if the mesquite foliage is not damaged by insects or disease," said McGinty.

Prime fire conditions are evident elsewhere in the state, but for the most part, McGinty said it looks like a typical hot, dry Texas summer.

These conditions were reported by Extension districts this week:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were above average early in the week and near normal by week's end. Some rain fell over the area with amounts ranging up to 2 inches. The southeastern area remained dry. High winds, hail and flooding rains damaged some crops in the northwest, while most other areas reported little soil moisture. Corn, cotton and peanut crops range from fair to good. Irrigation is heavy. Sorghum continues to be planted where moisture is adequate. Wheat harvest is almost over; yields have been poor. Fire danger remains high on rangeland. Horn flies are a problem in many cattle herds.

SOUTH PLAINS: Hot windy days with scattered thunderstorms prevailed last week with up to 3 inches of rain reported in central and northern counties. Some stands of cotton were severely damaged by high winds in excess of 60-70 miles per hour. Cotton is squaring (entering the pre-bloom stage) with an estimated 10 percent of the crop beginning to bloom and set bolls. Peanuts are pegging (developing the auxiliary roots where peanuts form) in about 50 percent of the fields. Weeds are affecting all crops. Thrips are causing serious problems in some cotton fields. Dryland sorghum and haygrazer fields need more moisture. Where significant amounts of rain has fallen, range conditions are improving.

ROLLING PLAINS: Some pastures are starting to green up following as much as 2.2 inches of rain that fell in some areas. The rain benefitted hay, pastures and crops, but did not fill stock tanks. Cattle are still being supplemented as grass has not recovered from drought. More cows and calves are being sold due to the drought. Cotton is small and under drought stress.

NORTH: Severe drought continues across much of the region. The corn crop is burning up; some corn is being harvested for silage. Beans are holding steady, but rain is needed. Forages and crops continue to suffer from lack of moisture. Producers are continuing to feed hay. Large number of grasshoppers are being reported. Sweet potatoes also need moisture.

EAST: Rainfall brought short-term relief for some producers who received up to 3 inches. However, soil moisture remains very low in most areas. Haying has slowed or stopped. Many producers are looking for hay or are selling some cattle. Grasshoppers are a problem in hay meadows and pastures. Calves are still selling well. Watermelon harvesting is under way. The peach crop is light unless irrigated, and the blueberry/blackberry harvest is fair.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate; crops and pastures are in very poor to good conditions. Cotton is in very poor to good conditions and squared from 10 percent to 60 percent. Sorghum is in poor condition and about 40 percent to 50 percent planted.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures were below 100 F this week. Fire hazards remain high in most areas. Isolated showers were reported in a few counties, but not enough to help soil moisture. Producers are cutting and baling hay and culling livestock. Range and pastures in most counties are suffering, although recent rains in a few areas improved conditions and forages. Pecans are spotty and the crop prospects do not look good.

CENTRAL: Rain over the weekend brought temporary relief to drought-stressed crops and pastures. Corn was too mature to benefit from the rain. Cotton was improved by the rains but more is needed. The pecan crop is small.

SOUTHEAST: No crop diseases or insects were reported this week. Six to 10 inches of rain fell in some areas, replenishing stock tanks. Hay production has stopped until the fields dry. Rain helped rice, soybeans and cotton, but came too late for corn and sorghum. Pecan crops is thin with poor yields expected. Hay is being harvested, but yields are about half the average.

SOUTHWEST: Slightly more than 3 inches of rain have fallen since Oct. 13, 2005, making this the driest period on record. The average is about 15.3 inches. Forage is extremely short. The onion and potato harvests are complete, and the green bean harvest is winding down. Cantaloupe and watermelon harvests continue. Corn and sorghum are drying down, and harvest should start in about two weeks. Peanuts and cotton are making good progress under heavy irrigation.

COASTAL BEND: Spotty rains fell in the northern counties; however, extreme drought and heat continues. Crops and pastures have declined due to lack of soil moisture. Some early planted sorghum has been harvested. Soybeans planted in the most favorable time look good.

SOUTH: Soil moisture is short, and conditions remain dry. Grain sorghum and corn harvest are under way. Irrigated cotton is progressing. Ranges are in need of rain. Livestock is in fair condition; supplemental feeding continues.