May 23, 2007

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SAN ANGELO – A Texas Cooperative Extension expert said the amount of soil moisture at planting is one of the most accurate predictors of crop yields at harvest time. But with the good also, comes the bad.

Dr. Tom Fuchs, state Extension integrated pest management coordinator based at San Angelo, said the cool, wet weather this spring has delayed planting of some of crops but will pay dividends as hot weather approaches. He said conditions are also ripe for heavier than normal insect damage to crops.

"The abundance of wild host plants in pastures, road ditches and even in cultivated fields will increase the potential populations of a number of insect pests such as thrips and fleahoppers in cotton." Fuchs said.

"We are seeing above-average populations of these pests in areas to the south of San Angelo this spring."

The following are Extension reports for the last week:

SOUTH PLAINS: Weather remained cool and wet, hampering planting progress. Rainfall ranged from a trace to 1.5 inches. Early planted cotton may be damaged due to the cool and wet conditions. The maturing wheat looks good, but there are signs of rust. Fields vary in rust-infected areas, but yield potential still looks good. Corn is in good condition and is benefitting from the recent rains. Pumpkin planting has stopped until fields dry out. Pastures and ranges are in good condition as are the cattle grazing them.

ROLLING PLAINS: More scattered showers fell. Cotton planting has started; soil moisture is excellent. The wheat crop could be the best in several years. If clear weather returns, harvest should begin within two weeks. Cattle are looking good as pastures are lush and green. Calves continue to come off wheat, and their average daily gains have been good.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from short to surplus. Soils are drying out, and warm temperatures have caused good growth on forage and row crops. Crop conditions have improved. Grain sorghum and soybeans are growing well. Corn has emerged. Hay harvesting of winter annuals is widespread across the counties, hay baling has been difficult between rains. Wheat harvest will begin in about two weeks and yields should be excellent, discounting any severe weather. Cotton is almost all planted. Livestock are in good condition and the cattle market remains strong.

EAST: Soil moisture is good, and ponds and lakes are full. Vegetable crops are doing well, and some harvesting of squash, onions and tomatoes has begun. Horn fly populations on cattle are heavy. Producers are baling ryegrass and hay, and controlling weeds in pastures. Summer grasses are starting to make good growth due to warmer night temperatures and the recent rainfall. Cattle remain in good to excellent body condition. Hay harvesting will be in full swing within two weeks. Disease in fruits and vegetables is increasing, but blueberry and blackberry crops are in excellent shape. Blueberry harvest is about two weeks away.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, and crops and pastures reflect those conditions. Milder temperatures helped range conditions continue to improve. Precipitation across the district ranged from 0.3 to 2 inches.

WEST CENTRAL: Cool temperatures and light showers continued in many areas. The cool, wet conditions provided excellent moisture for pastures and farms, but are causing fungus and mildew on turf grasses and vegetable crops. Some field preparations were under way. Small grain fields that were cut for hay are being baled. Wheat yields appear to be above average. Grain sorghum is doing well with very few problems. Range conditions are excellent with pastures showing good growth. Mild conditions are keeping winter weeds and grasses alive and summer forages growing. Sheep and goat producers are treating their animals against internal parasites and in some instances are deworming them every three weeks. Sheep shearing continues. Pecan spraying for casebearers is under way; yields are uncertain due to the late freeze.

CENTRAL: Soil moisture is adequate and pastures are in good condition. Oat harvest has started and wheat harvest will begin soon. Cotton is coming along, and peach production is in full swing.

SOUTHEAST: Pastures are in the best shape they have been in two years. Cattle producers are harvesting hay and applying herbicides to pastures and fertilizers to hay fields. Crop producers are cultivating cotton, soybeans and some wheat. Insecticides are being applied to cotton.

SOUTHWEST: Sporadic thunderstorms dropped 1 to 2 inches of much-needed rainfall. The cumulative rainfall for May is about 125 percent of the long-term average. But because February-April rains were limited, the region remains at about 90 percent of the long-term average for the past four months. May rains have helped green up the region, improve forage availability and provide an excellent boost to corn, sorghum and cotton, which are making good progress. The wheat harvest should begin soon. While harvesting activities were temporarily suspended due to the rain, the harvesting of cabbage, beets (for processing), onions, green beans and squash continues.

COASTAL BEND: No rain fell, and some cropland soils are cracking. Cotton is growing well with the warmer temperatures. General weed control and cotton insect pest control are being done. Pastures need rain, but livestock are in good condition.

SOUTH: Spring onion and vegetable harvesting is winding down. Cotton, corn and sorghum crops are progressing, but dryland crops need rain. Sugarcane harvesting continues. Spring row crops in the western part of the region are doing well. Dry conditions early last week allowed most wheat and oat crops to be harvested, with yields reported to be fair to good. Scattered rains provided good moisture to dryland sorghum and sesame crops. Cotton progressed well thanks to warmer weather.