Nov. 21, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION – High winds throughout the state knocked some row crops to the ground and delayed the harvesting of others. In some parts of the state, relief-giving rains came, while other regions remained dry, Texas Cooperative Extension agents reported.

"Significant weather events in Lubbock County over the past week included high winds reaching 44 to 45 mph on both Nov. 14 and 15," said Mark Brown, Extension agent for agriculture."These winds hampered harvest and caused minor structural damage, but did not appear to cause significant damage to cotton or sorghum still in the field."

"High winds are drying out the soil moisture levels, reducing the wheat growth," reported Justin Scott, Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Cochran County. "Dry weather has allowed cotton and sorghum harvest to continue, although the wind has been a factor in the ability to harvest numerous acres. The harvest reports have been good, with cotton doing well in yield and quality."

"Winter grazing at this early stage is better than it's been in a few years," said Jon Green, Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Parker County. "Some haven't turned in yet, but growth has been good. We are still in great need of runoff rainfall in stock tanks."

"The area has received sufficient rains to lower the Keetch/Byram drought index into the hundreds," said Jack White, Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources in Cherokee County.

Based on 100 years of weather data, the Keetch/Byram drought index is primarily used to predict the chance of forest wildfires, said Dr. Eric Taylor, Extension forestry specialist. However, the data shows a 25-year cycle. One 25-year period shows wetter and cooler than average summer conditions; the next hotter and dryer, which has an impact on all agriculture. According to the index, the state is currently about seven years into one of the hotter and dryer 25-year periods.

More information on the Keetch/Byram drought index can be found on the Texas Weather Connection Web site at http://twc.tamu.edu/kbdi.aspx .

The following are reports from Extension districts around the state:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were variable during the week with a few days slightly above and a few days slightly below average. High winds over several days caused some soil erosion and crop damage. No significant moisture was received during the week. Soil moisture is rated very short to adequate, with most areas reporting short. Open weather has allowed cotton harvest to make good progress. Wind-blown tumbleweeds caused harvesting difficulties in some fields. The cotton crop was about 65 percent harvested, and yield and grade reports are good. Peanut harvest is nearly complete. Sorghum harvest was about 50 percent complete. High winds caused some crops to fall down in many fields. Soybean and sunflower harvests were almost completed. Wheat is rated mostly fair to good. High winds caused some damage to recently emerged wheat fields. Range conditions are rated mostly fair. Abundant dry grass, no precipitation and high winds have created a high fire-danger potential. Cattle are in good condition. Supplemental feeding is under way in most areas.

SOUTH PLAINS: Most of the region received its first hard freeze. Mild days and cold nights prevailed with no moisture and two days of 45-55 mph winds. Cotton harvest was about 60 percent complete. High winds shut down cotton harvest and other field operations for two days. Peanut harvest is winding down with an estimated 90 percent harvested. Grain sorghum harvest was 70 percent complete. Winter wheat stands continue to be excellent, but dry windy days were rapidly decreasing the available soil moisture for all cool-season small grains. Forage availability for livestock was still good, and livestock are in mostly good condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues in most counties.

ROLLING PLAINS: Cold nights, warm days and very high winds throughout the week dried top moisture. Surface tank water is short to dry; good runoff is needed to fill dry lakes and ponds. Cotton harvest continues; yields are average to a little below average on irrigated land and will be below average on the dry land. However, the majority of farmers are starting to get harvesting equipment ready. Wheat planting continues to progress; most producers have enough moisture to get a stand. Ranges are going dormant, and some producers getting ready to start feeding livestock. Some ranches are already supplementing bulls. The region still has not had a major killing frost or freeze.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate. Winter wheat and winter annual pastures are doing better after recent rains. Producers continue to plant winter pasture and look for hay. Sorghum, soybeans and cotton crops are 100 percent harvested. Oats are 90 percent to 100 percent planted. Winter wheat is in fair to good condition, with 50 percent to 80 percent emerged. Pecan harvest is under way with 30 percent harvested. Livestock is in fairly good condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock is in full swing. Runoff for livestock water is still needed.

EAST: Calf prices were steady to $3 lower this week, and demand was good on quality calves. Good quality bred cows saw prices steady to higher. There no real choice pairs this week to test the market. Pecan harvest was near completion. Producers were trying to finish baling hay. Winter pastures were in good condition with some small grain plantings being grazed. Ample moisture, along with cooler temperatures, has provided good growth of cool-season forages. Cattle were in good condition, and prices still holding. Hay supplies are limited, but few producers have had to feed yet. Conditions are getting dry again, and winds have dried soils out. There was no rainfall this week and none is forecast for next week. Some winter pasture continues to be planted. Beef cattle are in good to fair condition. Winter pastures making fair progress. Hay supplies were extremely short. Calf weaning was nearly complete. Stock water remained very low. Fall calving was in progress. Winter pastures showed promise. Cooler temperatures will not stay long and no rainfall was reported this week. Hay harvest continued in some places prior to the Friday frost.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate. Ranges and pastures varied from very poor to excellent. Winter wheat ranged from very poor to good. The first freeze was reported, and there was no precipitation.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures have remained cool and dry. High winds at midweek caused soil moisture to rapidly decrease. Low temperatures dropped to freezing in most areas. Producers continued to harvest cotton crops. Yields have been good. Field preparation and planting of small grains continued. Fields that have emerged need rain for increased growth. Final hay cutting was harvested. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Supplemental feeding continued. Stock tanks were very low to dry, and hay was in short supply. Pecan harvest is under way. The pecan crop was very light.

CENTRAL: Small grains needed rain. Many fields began to show moisture-stress. Nights have been cool with some areas having had a light frost. Warm-season grasses continued to give short grazing but were pf high quality. Concerns increased over limited stock water supplies.

SOUTHEAST: No rain fell this week. The last hay fields were cut and baled. A few last sites had armyworms. Producers were treated to a beautiful week with no rain, just cool dry weather. Cattle feeding was the No. 1 agricultural activity in Lee County. The peanut crop is still in the ground as producers hope for a little more nut filling for poundage. Deer hunters are busy looking for that trophy buck. Ryegrass and other winter pasture continued to be planted. Fertilizer was applied over early planted winter forages. The ratoon rice crop has been harvested. Livestock are doing well.

SOUTHWEST: Most of the region has been completely dry since Oct. 25. Year-to-date cumulative rainfall is now less than 29 percent of the long- term average. Cool weather this week will help winter vegetable crops and conserve water. Forage availability is very limited. Some stock tanks are almost dry. The peanut harvest continues but yields are down. Fall sorghum harvest is complete. The cabbage harvest is gaining momentum. Spinach, green beans and cucumbers for pickling are making progress under heavy irrigation. Hunting and hunter activities are the dominant rural activity, especially during weekends.

COASTAL BEND: Cooler, drier weather moved in. Soil moisture was short with most areas in need of rain for winter forage. Fieldwork progressed. Ranges and pastures were in fair condition.

SOUTH: Dry weather in some areas of the region is causing difficulty for growers of dryland oats, wheat and ryegrass. Cooler weather significantly reduced warm-season native range and pasture forage production. Most fall vegetable crops have progressed well. Spinach production was doing well under irrigation. Fieldwork was active, with the harvesting of cabbage, citrus and sugarcane. Supplemental protein for livestock has been added to existing rations. Hay cutting and baling continued.