Oct. 18, 2006

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COLLEGE STATION – Some badly needed rainfall and cooler temperatures brought relief to drought-stricken areas, but the overall soil profile in the state remains dry and more rain is needed, said a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

"The recent rains concentrated in the center of Texas and helped small grains, but the state as a whole remains dry," said Jose Pena, Extension economist in Uvalde. "And crops, especially dryland crops, have not been doing well. For example, a significant portion of the dryland cotton crop was lost; however, we expect record yields from irrigated cotton."

Irrigated vegetable crops in South and Southwest Texas are doing very well this year, he said. But with the long-term drought, whiteflies and armyworms are finding these crops an attractive feeding ground, so controlling them has become an additional challenge.

In the southwestern region of the state, the pecan harvest is less than half of what is was last year, but the harvest season opened to excellent price bids for good-quality pecans, Pena said.

"Throughout the state, we estimate harvesting only between 35 and 40 million pounds of pecans this year," he said. "Normally we harvest about 70 million pounds or more statewide."

Peanut yields also have been off this year due to the August heat and dry weather, Pena said.

"In the Southwest and other parts of the state that produce peanuts, we're seeing about 10 percent to 20 percent less yield than last year," he said.

The recent rains have improved cattle grazing conditions in many parts of the state and pastures have been greening up to some degree, he said, but this has not had a significant impact on reversing past conditions.

"During the drought, many ranchers moved their cattle away from their home base to pastures in different areas of the state or into different states so we have seen reduced stocking rates," Pena said. "Hay is still in high demand and currently there is still limited forage on the ground.

"But we are seeing more green in the Southwest and other parts of the state and things seem to be looking up for winter pastures. Unfortunately, even with the recent rains, the overall soil profile continues to be dry in this region and throughout the state. We need more rain to correct that condition."

The following are reports from Extension districts around the state:

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were below average most of the week and early week rains brought needed moisture to the area. Rainfall ranged from 0.1 inch to almost 5 inches, with most reports showing an average of between 1 to 2 inches. Harvest and planting have stalled until fields dry out. Soil moisture is rated very short to surplus with most areas reporting short to adequate. The corn harvest is about 80 percent complete and temporarily stalled because of wet fields, and yield reports vary. The cotton harvest was just getting under way and the crop is rated mostly fair to good. Harvest aids are being used when weather allows. Sorghum is in need of some heat to reach maturity. Wheat is about 90 percent planted and stands are rated fair to good. Planting is temporarily stalled until fields dry out. Cattle are in good condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: The cold front brought from 0.3 to 4.0 inches of rain with it, along with temperatures in the upper 30s F and lower 40s F. Soil moisture ranged from adequate to good. An estimated 35 percent of cotton fields were defoliated, but most field activity slowed down due to wet weather. Good weather is needed to dry fields enough for harvest and to reduce yield and fiber quality reduction. The corn harvest is winding down; average yields were reported. Some peanuts have been harvested and are grading well. Yields have been average. The pumpkin harvest is still under way and sales continue to be extremely strong. The watermelon harvest is almost complete. Recently planted wheat was off to an excellent start. The sorghum harvest was delayed due to the recent rain. Pastures and ranges were in fair to good condition, and cattle were in good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: Rains fell over most of the area during the first part of the week, with from 1 to 2 inches generally reported. Rain was slow and steady with virtually no runoff, which means tanks will not fill unless additional rainfalls. Wheat was looking better, especially fields which had been planted earlier and had started to suffer. Dry planted wheat is beginning to emerge. Cotton harvest will begin as soon as fields dry out. Forage sorghums were reaching maturity. Livestock remained in fair to good condition.

NORTH: Soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate. Slow, steady rain ranged from 0.5 inch to 2 inches across some counties, which helped winter pasture. The rain, coupled with the cooler weather, gave relief from the current drought. More rain is needed to fill stock tanks and replenish soil moisture and water supplies. Producers continued to plant winter pastures. Corn, soybeans and sorghum are completely harvested in most areas. Winter wheat and oats are about 40 percent planted and about 25 percent emerged. Cotton bolls are open, but the cotton is in poor condition and only about 75 percent harvested. Range and pastures were in very poor condition. Culling of cow herds is decreasing due to improved moisture conditions. The cattle market was down. Producers are hoping for sufficient moisture to grow grass for grazing.

EAST: Anderson County had rainfall that was helpful for planting small grains, ryegrass and legumes. Warm-season grasses were not seeing much growth. Cattle prices were steady to slightly lower toward the end of the week. Producers were working fall cattle. Most of Angelina County received 3 inches of rain. Cooler temperatures benefitted winter pastures but kept the warm season grasses from growing. Cherokee County received about 2 inches of rain. Cool-season forages were emerging, and producers hope there will be sufficient moisture for grazing by mid-November. Henderson County received 1.5 to 4 inches of rain, improving planting conditions for winter pasture. Hay supplies remained critically low. Culling of cow herds decreased due to improved moisture conditions. Calf-crop weaning was nearing completion. The pecan crop was showing poor results. Calls regarding dead and stressed ornamental trees increased. Panola County had cooler temperatures which slowed down the grass growth, but hay production is at a minimum. Some hay harvest was in process, and producers were planting ryegrass and winter pastures to help offset the shortage of hay. Rain in Sabine County led to the lifting of a burn ban. Many producers are planting winter pasture, wheat, ryegrass and oats. Hay harvest is still possible if warm weather arrives.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, and range and pastures are in very poor to excellent condition. Cotton is in very poor to excellent condition. Fall onions are being irrigated. Oats and winter wheat are emerging. Due to recent rains, many perennial grasses were growing well. In El Paso, a localized storm with golf ball-size hail damaged more than 2,200 acres of pecans and 1,500 acres of cotton. Heavy losses are being reported in both crops.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures cooled down, and some areas reported scattered showers. Field preparations for fall planting continued, with some fields being planted. Cotton harvesting has started in some areas. Late growth on improved pastures was being harvested for hay. Range and pastures are in fair shape. Livestock continued to be in fair condition. Supplemental feeding continued. Hay shortage was still critical. Livestock liquidations continued. Stock tanks were extremely low to dry. Rain is needed to supply water for livestock. Some pecan harvesting was under way.

CENTRAL: Most counties received rain. Cattle producers continued to supplemental feed cattle. Producers were battling armyworms in oats planted for winter grazing. Temperatures were cooler.

SOUTHEAST: Rain fell and temperatures cooled in the region. Producers hope for enough moisture for one more Bermuda grass cutting. Winter planting is progressing. Conditions for pastures and hay meadows improved, but there was no expectation of another good hay cutting. Winter pastures were planted with lots of oats, ryegrass, wheat and some clover. A large quantity of fertilizer was being put out to boost pasture and hay field yields. Pecans were beginning to fall. The peanut crop still has a few weeks to go. Cattle sales slowed down, but the calf market is strong. People are winterizing their lawns and battling carpet burweed and grass burs. Armyworms have been seen throughout the county and some have begun to spray for them.

SOUTHWEST: While cool weather and isolated weekend rain showers helped ease the drought, the region remains very dry. Rainfall in September ended at less than 70 percent of long-term average rainfall for the month, and little rain has been received as yet in October. Year-to-date cumulative rainfall remains at about 30 percent of the long-term average for the same period. Forage has been too short to sustain minimum livestock stocking without serious effect on wildlife. It appears very doubtful that small grains will be planted, unless it rains soon. Cabbage, cucumbers for pickling, green beans and some southern greens are making good progress under heavy irrigation. Some cucumbers and green beans are being harvested. The peanut harvest was under way, but yields were down due to the drought and record high temperatures in August. About 10 percent of the cotton remains stored in field modules. The pecan harvest was gaining momentum with excellent price bids for good-quality pecans.

COASTAL BEND: Scattered rainfall was received in the region, which again delayed harvesting activity. Some cotton was not destroyed due to wet fields. Major activities included weed spraying and field cultivation. Some hay was baled. A few cattle producers were planting winter grazing pastures. Pecan harvest began, but yields have been poor to fair.

SOUTH: Soil moisture conditions throughout the region were adequate. Many crops are progressing well. Isolated rain showers helped dryland producers with wheat, oats and ryegrass planting. Producers also planted spinach, cabbage and onions. As fields dry out, other field operations are resuming. Little supplemental feeding took place. Pasture conditions continued to remain fair to good. Range pastures improved in recent weeks. Hay baling operations continue.