March 21, 2006

COLLEGE STATION – Rain, as little as half an inch, was hailed by producers across the state this week as soothing – even saving – the day, Texas Cooperative Extension experts noted.

As ranchers in the Amarillo area continue to assess last week's fires that killed as many as 10,000 cattle and smudged out plant life on about 1 million acres, a tad of rainfall in that area was most welcome, according to Dr. Bob Robinson, Extension district administrator in Amarillo.

"Rain helped extinguish wild fires that had existed in the area for nearly a week," he said. "But fire danger continues to be high despite rain in some areas."

Near Uvalde, about 1 inch of rain brought the year's total to 1.26 inches, according to Jose Pena, agricultural economist at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center there.

The Lubbock, Wichita Falls and Dallas regions also reported good amounts of rainfall.

"These rains fell slowly and intermittently and allowed for good infiltration. This rainfall is very timely and will allow those who have not completed land preparation to get land in shape for spring planting,' said Jett Majors, Extension district administrator in Lubbock.

"Rain, blessed rain fell this past weekend," added Galen Chandler, Extension district administrator in Vernon. "For some, it's going to be too little, too late, but for others, it brings optimistic hope."

Soil conditions have changed dramatically since the rainfall, according to Tony Douglas, Extension district administrator in Dallas.

"Wheat has benefitted from the rain and looks good," he said. "Most all stock ponds are now running bank full."

But with wetter, warmer conditions, insects can be the next expected malady, according to Extension officials in the Dallas area and in East Texas, who report that fly populations have drastically increased and already are bothersome to livestock and people.

The following conditions were reported by Extension districts this week:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near normal early but dropped to much below average. Much-needed rain fell in portions of the area but only up to half an inch. Land preparation for spring planting progressed. Soil moisture is mostly short to very short. Wheat is mostly very poor. Wheat benefitted in isolated areas that received moisture, but much more is needed. Greenbugs and Russian wheat aphids are in some fields. Alfalfa crops are troubled by weevils, cowpea aphids and pea aphids. Rangeland conditions are mostly poor to very poor. Cattle are in fair-to-good condition with active supplemental feeding.

SOUTH PLAINS: Widespread, beneficial rains of 0.5 to 1 inch were received. Wheat continues to be in very poor condition. Pastures and ranges are in poor-to-very-poor condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues.

ROLLING PLAINS: Drought has increased supplemental feeding for livestock. Some farmers are preparing for spring planting. More moisture is needed for emergence of plants. Parts of the area received 2 inches of rain. Though some wheat is in the boot stage (developing the tops), the crop is very short and much of it will be grazed rather than harvested. Pond levels are still low. Peach trees are starting to bloom.

NORTH: Soil moisture varies from very short to surplus. Wheat is very poor to excellent, and pastures and ranges are very poor to good. Corn is up to 75 percent planted and 10 percent emerged. Sorghum is up to 40 percent, and soybeans are up to 65 percent planted. Pastures are green with emerging rye grass, and some are being tilled in preparation for planting of summer crops.

EAST: Cool-season forages have grown very well. Producers are beginning to plant permanent grasses. Supplemental feeding of livestock is declining because green grasses are available and preferred by cattle. Cool-season vegetables are doing very well. Warm-season vegetable planting is under way in some areas

FAR WEST: Most of the area is short to very short in soil moisture. For the most part, pastures, ranges and livestock are poor to very poor. Oats are in fair-to-poor condition. Winter wheat is in fair-to-poor condition. Some producers are getting ready for cotton planting.

WEST CENTRAL: Weather conditions remain extremely dry and unseasonably warm with high winds. Dryland crops continue to suffer from lack of moisture in most areas. Small grain fields are growing in areas that have received recent rainfall, and range and pastures are showing some green-up. Some land preparations are beginning for spring planting. Producers are culling livestock. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues.

CENTRAL: Pastures are greening up. Beef cattle producers continue to reduce herds. Pecan trees are budding out, and fruit trees are in bloom. Most counties received beneficial rain. Producers are almost finished planting corn, milo and cotton.

SOUTHEAST: Very little rain fell. Sorghum planting continued. Wheat continues to look good. Early peaches varieties are blooming. All alfalfa is in good condition.

SOUTHWEST: Irrigated corn and sorghum have been planted and are up to good stands. Slight rainfall means some planting will be possible under dryland conditions, but more rain will be required to sustain those crops. Forage remains in very short supply.

COASTAL BEND: The severe drought continues with no rainfall. High temperatures and winds continue to deplete top soil moisture. Some dry planting of cotton, corn and grain sorghum is occurring. Some early planted corn fields have emerged and look reasonably well.

SOUTH: Soil moisture is short under dry, windy conditions. Harvest continues on sugarcane, vegetables and citrus. Corn is completely planted. Sorghum is about 60 percent planted. Cotton planting continues and is about 10 percent done. Ranges and pastures are in very poor condition.