May 4, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION – A cool front that dipped into Texas last week brought little rain to northern and central regions, Texas Cooperative Extension reported.

Galen Chandler, district Extension administrator in Vernon, said a small amount of measurable rain did little to help hay producers.

"Dryland hay crops don't look very promising," he said. "Producers are looking at making 10 to 12 square bales an acre on places they normally make 30 to 40 bales an acre."

Some producers are dry sowing haygrazer in hopes of more rain this weekend, he said.

The rain in Southeast Texas will help some plants and grasses, said Dale Fritz, district Extension administrator in College Station.

"The cooler temperatures of last week were also welcomed in some cases, and rain is forecast again for the upcoming week," Fritz said.

"Wheat harvest started Thursday, and hopefully, we won't have wheat sprouting in the head."

District Extension officials reported the following:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were above average before an early week cold front brought them back to normal. Some overnight lows were below freezing. A few isolated thunderstorms were triggered by the passing cold front, with rain amounts from a trace to one-fourth of an inch; however, most areas received no rain. Light showers later in the week added about another quarter inch to the week's total. Land preparation continues for summer crops. Soil moisture is rated short to very short. About half of the corn has been planted, and stands are rated fair. No pest problems were reported for corn. Wheat is about 60 percent headed and rated poor to very poor. Some fields are being cut for wheat hay and silage. Russian wheat aphid populations continue to increase in some fields. Range conditions are rated poor to very poor, and fire danger remains high. Cattle condition is rated fair to good, and supplemental feeding continues.

SOUTH PLAINS: Early-week scattered showers and a mid-week cool front lowered daily high temperatures into the 70s F. Warmer temperatures followed later in the week. Soil moisture remains short to adequate. Producers continue with pre-plant irrigation. Many cotton producers will begin planting this week where moisture and soil temperatures are adequate. Corn planting is about 40 percent complete in northern counties. Some haygrazer and seed maize has been planted. Peanut planting will begin in most southern counties this week. Wheat, described as in poor condition, has headed out, and much has been cut for hay. Although pastures and ranges have improved slightly over the past couple of weeks, they remain in poor condition. Additional moisture is needed for range recovery. Supplemental feeding continues for livestock.

ROLLING PLAINS: A small amount of measurable rain eased dry conditions slightly. However, moisture is still short, and crops need more rain. Livestock tanks are daily running dry, and some producers have started hauling water. Dryland hay crop producers can estimate 10 to 12 square bales an acre. With rain forecasted for the weekend, producers are preparing for cotton, planting milo and dry sowing haygrazer. Large numbers of cattle are being pulled off as wheat, and oats are grazed out. Pastures have been slow to recover from 14 months of drought. Hay fields are growing well, considering recent weather patterns. Cattle are in fair to good condition.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate. Corn, soybeans, sorghum and wheat are in fair to good condition. Wheat fields are 50 percent to 99 percent headed. Soybeans are 50 percent to 85 percent emerged, and 40 percent of cotton has been planted. Most crops and pastures look good but still need rain. Cooler weather with some showers this past week led producers to fertilize pastures and hay meadows. Weeds and insects are increasing. Dairy cattle sales are still very good, and the beef market is holding steady.

EAST: The storm system brought cooler temperatures and rain, with some reports of light hail. Seasonal temperatures quickly returned. Producers are progressing from cool season to warm season grasses and preparing to harvest the first cutting of hay. While some pastures have been fertilized, other applications have been cut back or delayed. Cattle are in fair to good condition, and spring calving continues. Producers are still reporting fly problems. Beef prices were off from last week. Vegetable production is under way.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate, and crops range from very poor to good condition. Cotton is up to 95 percent planted, and sunflowers are about 1 percent planted. Oats and sorghum conditions are very poor to poor. Winter wheat conditions are very poor to fair. Although the region received scattered thunderstorms, precipitation was not measurable. Sheep shearing began.

WEST CENTRAL: Hot, dry conditions at the beginning of the week gave way to cooler temperatures, and many counties reported scattered showers at the end of the week. Field preparations for summer crops continued. Corn and sorghum continue to progress. Cotton producers are preparing fields. Small grain yields are expected to be very low. Range and pastures are doing well, with green-up started. Most pastures are greening but are short on grazing. A dry fall left some coastal fields in poor shape. Livestock conditions are fair to good after spring green-up, although some supplemental feeding continues. Producers have begun irrigating and preparing to spray pecan trees with the first round of zinc application.

CENTRAL: Some cotton stands will have to be replanted due to last week's storms. Although small amounts of rain improved conditions, the region remains behind in soil moisture. Water for livestock remains in short supply, as no runoff has occurred since last spring. Haying of ryegrass and small grains continues. While oats are bringing good yields, ryegrass is marginal. With the grazing demand higher than supply, some producers may need to reduce herd size.

SOUTHEAST: The rain received last week should help the region, and producers anticipate more rain this week. Wheat harvest began last week. There are no reports of soybean rust on kudzu. Hay baling began before the rain, although 95 percent of the producers are out of hay. No disease or insects were reported last week. Livestock are faring well.

SOUTHWEST: While isolated areas received some rain and cooler temperatures last week, the region remains very dry. Corn crops damaged by storms and hail should recover. April was the second-driest month on record with only 0.14 inch total rainfall recorded at Uvalde, where temperatures reached 95 F or higher on seven days. April was the driest of the past six months for a large portion of the area. Pastures, ranges and lawn grasses remain brown, under severe drought stress. Forage availability is below average, and ranchers are supplemental feeding. Harvest of irrigated wheat and oat fields will begin soon, although harvest of dryland wheat or oat fields is unlikely. Corn, cotton, onions, potatoes, green beans, watermelons, cantaloupes and some cabbage are progressing under heavy irrigation. Crops under dryland conditions are not progressing, and hay crops may be lost. Harvest continues for cabbage, green beans, carrots, potatoes and some pickling cucumbers.

COASTAL BEND: Last week's cool front brought little rain to the area. Drought conditions continue, and crops continue to show signs of stress. Dry, windy days are lessening soil moisture. Some cotton and rice are being replanted. Cattle prices are falling. With no hay available, costly supplemental feeding continues.

SOUTH: Report not available.