March 7, 2006

COLLEGE STATION – Rain, or lack thereof, continues to write this year's agricultural history, Texas Cooperative Extension officials report.

Where timely, adequate rain has fallen, crops have responded with growth and greening. Where rain has remained illusive, crops have dwindled beyond recovery and new seed cannot be planted, according to reports by Extension agents throughout the state.

Only the far western part of Texas havs near-normal conditions, according to the Texas Water Development Board's drought severity index. The rest of the state is still experiencing mild to severe drought. However, rainfall, mostly in the north central and eastern areas, has brought much relief.

"Recent rains brought some relief to the eastern counties, but the western part of this area is still bone dry," said Galen Chandler, Extension administrator for the Rolling Plains.

Some rain fell in the areas around San Angelo, but not enough to make a dent in the droughty conditions there.

"(There have been) unseasonably warm temperatures coupled with very dry conditions to keep the burn ban in effect for most of the areas," said Scott Durham, Extension administrator for the West Central region. "Very little field activity is being done."

Among the driest areas is the Southwest portion around Uvalde and stretching toward the Gulf of Mexico, according to Extension reports.

"The region is completely dry and entering into a crisis. From November until now, we've had only 0.25 inches of rain," said Jose Pena, Extension agricultural economist in Uvalde. "This has been the driest period in more than 100 years. Planting dryland acreage will not be possible, unless we have 3 to 4 inches of slow, drizzling rain very soon."

Darrell Dromgoole of Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend Extension administrator, said most producers in that area "have never been in this severe situation in the spring. Very limited crop planting is occurring."

For the most part, the dry conditions have eased somewhat in northern Texas areas around Dallas.

"Conditions have improved with the significant rainfall received last weekend, and that helped replenish soil moisture for spring planting," said Tony Douglas of Dallas, Extension administrator for North Texas. "Wheat is still in question, however, as farmers decide whether to do fertilizer and weed control at this late stage ... if there is enough of a crop to justify the extra input."

The following conditions were reported by Extension districts this week:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were above normal most of the week with record highs set in many areas. Showers brought up to one-half inch of rain. Soil moisture still is very short. Some land preparation for spring planting is in progress. Wheat is mostly poor to very poor. Some fields are being irrigated. Rangeland conditions are mostly poor to very poor. Fire danger is high. Cattle condition is rated fair to good. Supplemental feeding continues.

SOUTH PLAINS: Mostly warm and hot with highs in the upper 80s F. Wheat is in poor to very poor condition. Some pre-plant irrigation is ongoing, particularly where land preparation needs to begin. Pastures and ranges are in poor to very poor condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues.

ROLLING PLAINS: Some producers are preparing for spring planting, but more moisture is needed. Small grains are looking very poor. In some areas, wheat responded to heavy dews - and as much as 5 inches of rain in isolated areas – but without rain it will die. Few native pastures are greening up. Beneficial insects are controlling greenbugs for now. Ryegrass and clover are emerging in some areas.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus. Wheat is very poor to excellent, and pastures and rangelands are very poor to good. Producers will plant corn this week. Cool season forages are growing. Winter pastures have greened up, and some grazing is possible, which has relieved the need for total feeding of hay. Temperatures have been mild. Up to 4 inches of rain fell across the area last weekend.

EAST: Conditions are improving, because up to 2 inches of rainfall was received. The moisture, along with warmer temperatures, helped green up pastures, ryegrass and clovers. Vegetable growers are preparing land, and some are planting potatoes and onions. Cattle are in good to excellent condition, with supplemental feed stretching hay supplies. Despite the rainfall, more is needed to refill stock ponds.

FAR WEST: Most of the area has short to very short soil moisture, but isolated areas have adequate amounts. Pastures, rangeland and livestock are mostly poor to very poor, and supplemental feeding is necessary. Oats are in fair to poor condition, and winter wheat is in very poor to good condition. Temperatures were mild to warmer, and the only rain reported was up to one-half inch in Midland County.

WEST CENTRAL: Small grain fields and wheat conditions in some areas have improved slightly due to much needed rainfall. Recent rains stimulated some growth and green up of cool season grasses and forbs. Most range and pastures are still in poor condition and are in dire need of additional rainfall for growth. Some pecan irrigation has begun.

CENTRAL: Winter grasses are now coming out but are too late for much grazing. Some producers are now completely out of hay. Poor body condition is evident in herds. Most counties received beneficial rain, but more is needed. The rains have allowed producers to prepare land for corn planting.

SOUTHEAST: Moisture is lacking in the soil, but the fog and heavy dew has helped out tremendously. Temperatures have ranged from 70 F to 80 F. Fruit trees and other plants are blooming with other plants leafing out.

SOUTHWEST: Unseasonably warm weather in the mid-80s F is aggravating the dry spell. Irrigated corn and sorghum planting is under way. Forage availability is well below average. Ranchers have reduced herds and are providing heavy supplemental nutrition to remaining livestock.

COASTAL BEND: No precipitation was recorded. Drought continues to have a dramatic and extreme effect. Some soybeans have been planted. Many beef producers are out of hay and are beginning to sell off cattle.

SOUTH: Soil moisture is very short. Harvest continues on sugarcane, citrus and vegetables. Cotton and grain is being planted but only in fields under irrigation. Following irrigation, onions made good progress. Dryland oats and wheat have very little development, and most fields will not be harvested. Cabbage and spinach harvesting continued. Temperatures have been mild. Range conditions are terrible. Livestock supplementation continues to increase as there is a hay shortage.