May 16, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION – A weak cool front set off turbulent weather in deep South Texas Sunday, but rains accompanying the strong winds were too late to help dryland cotton and sorghum fields devastated by drought, according to Texas Cooperative Extension officials.

"Dryland cotton farmers have been plowing up whatever thin stands may have come up after planting. Growers are trying to alleviate losses by taking advantage of a $5-per-acre rebate on eradication assessments authorized by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs," said Ruben Saldaña, Extension district administrator in Weslaco.

While irrigated cotton fields are doing well, most dryland fields planted in February and March produced no stands at all, Saldaña said.

Extension officials reported the following:

PANHANDLE: A midweek cool front dropped temperatures from above average to near normal and below for a couple of days before returning to above average. Some rain fell over the area, temporarily halting planting in some areas. Hail caused damage in some areas. Soil moisture is mostly very short to adequate. Corn is about 85 percent planted, and stands are rated fair to good. Cotton is about 15 percent planted. Peanuts are about 10 percent planted. Sorghum, sunflower and soybeans planting continues. Wheat is about 95 percent headed and rated mostly as poor to very poor.

SOUTH PLAINS: Temperatures fluctuated with highs from 71 F to 100 F. Soil moisture is short to adequate. Corn planting is 90 percent complete, with beneficial rains received. Cotton, peanut and sorghum planting are in full swing. Wheat continues to be cut for hay. Pastures and ranges are in poor to fair condition but are rapidly greening up. Cattle conditions are mostly fair to good with supplemental feeding continuing.

ROLLING PLAINS: High winds, hail and tornadoes hit the northwestern portion of the district. With from 0.5 to 1.7 inches of much-needed rain, some spring crops can be planted. The rains provided topsoil moisture, but deeper levels remain dry. The wheat crop is nearly a complete loss. Some producers would like to start planting cotton, but they can't get in the fields or test the soil temperature. Pastures are greening up. Wild hogs continue to be a problem for peanut farmers. Fire ants are active. Horn flies and heel flies are causing stress in cattle herds. The peach crop is fair to good, while the pecan crop remains in good condition. Sprays for pecan nut casebearer are being applied.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from short to surplus, with pastures looking much better and all crops progressing well. Corn is in fair to good condition with 100 percent planted and emerged. Soybeans and sorghum are in good to excellent condition with both crops 100 percent planted. Wheat is in fair to excellent condition with 100 percent headed. Numerous storms hit the area counties bringing 1 to 1.5 inches of rain. The cool nights have been causing some fungus problems. Livestock is improving, and forage production is increasing.

EAST: Improved soil moisture conditions were reported with up to 2 inches of rain. Baling of winter pastures has begun. Fertilization of hay pastures continues but slowly due to high costs and lack of rain. Cattle prices are up. Vegetable crops look good, although recent hot, humid conditions may contribute to disease problems in fruits and vegetables. Fire blight on pears has been reported.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate. Range and pastures are in very poor to fair condition. Winter wheat and oats are as much as 100 percent headed and in very poor to poor condition. Some producers have started planting cotton. Spring sheep shearing is almost complete. No precipitation fell, and temperatures were in the triple digits in some areas.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures ranged from the 70s F to the 90s F. Significant rainfall was reported in many areas providing much-needed runoff for stock tanks. Fields are improving for crop preparation. Sorghum planting has slowed due to wet conditions. Small grains are maturing. Range and pastures continue to improve with recent moisture and warm temperatures. Livestock remain in fair to good condition. Pecan nut casebearers are being scouted in orchards. Pecan crop set is lighter than last year.

CENTRAL: Melons are looking very good. Pecan nut casebearer spraying continues. Numerous storms occurred with hail and wind damage reported in some areas. Fly pressure has been heavy on all livestock.

SOUTHEAST: No report available.

SOUTHWEST: Turbulent weather triggered heavy, concentrated rainstorms, bringing about 1 inch of rain to the Hill Country, from Leakey to San Antonio. About 80 percent of the area remains completely dry. Uvalde County has received only about 2.4 inches of rainfall during the last 214 days, making the Oct. 13, 2005-to-date period the driest on record. The heavy rain with some hail and high winds further reduced peach crops in the Fredericksburg area. The cabbage harvest is winding down. The green bean, potato and onion harvests are gaining momentum. Corn, sorghum, cotton, peanuts, cantaloupes and watermelons are making good progress under heavy irrigation. Crops under dryland conditions are not making any progress.

COASTAL BEND: Scattered rain measured between a trace to 3 inches. Most areas are still in severe drought. Cool morning temperatures have provided relief from the heat. Crop insurance appraisers have been evaluating drought-stressed fields. Most cattle are being sold from the area.

SOUTH: Soil moisture ranges from short to very short. These conditions have severely damaged dryland sorghum and cotton fields. Harvesting of vegetables and onions is winding down, and sugarcane and citrus harvests have concluded.