Sept. 18, 2007

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COLLEGE STATION – It's a given that the success of row crops hinges on the weather.

Cotton is no exception, and though there's been some ups and downs, cotton fields in many areas are poised to make good to excellent yields, according to reports from Texas Cooperative Extension agents throughout the state.

Based on projected yields from the Sept. 12 U.S. Department of Agriculture crop report, this year's Texas High Plains cotton crop could "supplant 2006 as the third largest crop, at about 4.1 million bales," said Randy Boman, a Texas Cooperative Extension cotton agronomist at Lubbock.

With the outcome riding on the weather, Boman is cautious, as are some Extension agents.

"(But) we will need a good remainder of September and good October to properly finish many fields," Boman said.

Extension agents in counties throughout the cotton growing areas of Texas are also hoping for a good crop.

"Local cotton producers are very happy with the current crop status," said Wes Utley, Extension agent in Haskell County. "Plants are loaded with bolls from top to bottom."

"Cotton is coming along with insect pressures very light; heat units are at about 1,600 now, so we are getting close," said Rick Auckerman, Extension agent in Deaf Smith County.

"All cotton has reached cut-out and all irrigation has been shut off," said J.D. Ragland, Extension agent in Floyd County. "The next 30 days, weather-wise, will determine crop outcome."

The following are compiled reports from Extension agents and specialists across the state:

PANHANDLE: Thunderstorms brought from a trace to 6 inches of rain. Soil moisture ranged from very short to surplus, with most areas reporting adequate. Corn was fair to excellent, with most areas reporting good. Cotton was fair to good, with most areas reporting fair, though rains delayed maturity. Sorghum was good and continued to turn color in some fields. Soybeans were rated good. Land preparation continued for wheat planting. Range conditions were rated very poor to excellent, with most areas reporting fair. Cattle were in excellent condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: Temperatures ranged from lows in the 50s F to highs in the 80s F. The corn harvest neared completion with good yield reports. Cotton is in fair to good condition and continued to mature. Grain sorghum harvest continued with outstanding yields. Peanut producers had to wait for fields to dry to continue harvesting. The pumpkin harvest was in full swing with good yields reported. The demand for pumpkins and sales was outstanding. The watermelon harvest continued with very good quality but mixed yields. Planting of wheat continued. Pastures and ranges were in fair to good condition. Cattle were in good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: Beneficial rains fell across the region early in the week. Livestock were in excellent condition, and rangeland quality held up under substantial grazing. Watering tanks are in good condition. Livestock sales remained good. Agents are predicting hay yields this year to be much larger than past years. Hay was still being harvested. Crop land and pastureland look good going into the fall. Two to 4 inches of rain provided excellent conditions for small grain producers. Land preparation was in full swing for those producers who plan on early forage production. Cotton crops were looking good, but were short on heat units. Producers said that if they have about seven to 10 days of 90-plus degree weather that this crop might be a "bumper crop." Reports of greenbugs in small grains continued, though the pest is not serious enough to justify the cost of chemical control. Grasshoppers and armyworms continued to be a concern in small grains.

NORTH: Thanks to rains and slightly lower temperatures, soil moisture was adequate. The corn harvest was almost complete, with above average yields and below average aflatoxin levels. The grain sorghum harvest was also about finished and above average yields. The soybean harvest was ongoing. The sweet potato harvest started. Planting of wheat and oats began in some counties. Rain and warm temperatures perked up pastures growth. Hay production was going strong with baling in full swing. There was a surplus of hay, with some producers reporting eight bales per acre. Hay samples for the annual hay evaluation clinic were collected and the quality is expected to be below normal. Livestock are in good condition. The cattle market was still active as farmers and ranchers looked for stocker cows to consume surplus grass and hay.

EAST: Cooler temperatures came, but there was rainfall to relieve the dry conditions in most counties. Hay harvest continued, with quality improving. Armyworms continued to be a problem in some hay pastures. Cattle were in good to excellent condition, though horn flies were reported. The weaning and selling of heavier calves and cull cows continued. Anderson County reported a loss of two-thirds of the cotton crop to water damage and a loss of corn crops to feral hogs. Dry conditions affected home lawns. There were reports of fall webworms in pecan and other hardwood trees, as well bark lice and their webs, covering ornamentals and shade trees in Nacogdoches County.

FAR WEST: Cotton field conditions ranged from poor to excellent, with 100 percent of bolls set and 15 percent open. More heat is needed to mature cotton bolls. Peanuts ranged from poor to excellent, with 50 percent pegging. Sorghum was at 100 percent coloring, with nearly 40 percent already harvested. Oats were 30 percent planted. Pecans have matured to near harvest stage. Some counties received from 2 to 3 inches of rain. Rangelands were in poor to excellent shape, with most of them being in good to excellent condition going into the fall . Most herds were in good shape, with some working of livestock being put off until October.

WEST CENTRAL: Temperatures were mild, with warm days and cool nights. Some areas have received rain showers. Some fields were too wet for fall planting preparation. Small grains were planted as fields dried out. Sorghum was being harvested with good yields reported. Cotton crops continued to flourish. Hay baling continued. Range and pasture grasses continued to improve. Livestock were in good condition.

CENTRAL: Pecan Scab continued to affect some plantations. Heavy pecan nut load caused limb breakage. Hay baling continued with good quantity and quality. Fields were being prepared and planted for winter food plots for wildlife and livestock. Cotton harvest will begin soon. Beef cattle were in good condition.

SOUTHEAST: Armyworms continued to be a problem across the area. Hay harvest activity slowed. A lot of poor quality hay was put up and many producers have "called it quits" for this season. Dry weather has allowed rice harvesting. Some soybean rust was found on older soybean plants. Producers were about to begin planting winter pastures. Livestock were doing fine. Tropical Storm Humberto did little damage but brought a lot of rain to some counties.

SOUTHWEST: The recent open, cooler weather helped fall crops make use of the excellent moisture conditions. Year-to-date cumulative rainfall is about 150 percent of the long-term average. Peanuts continued to make good progress. Green beans and cabbage were also making good progress, and farmers were bailing hay. Forage availability remained above average. The cotton harvest is late. Pecan harvest should start in about two weeks. Urban areas were experiencing an infestation of crickets, especially stores with bright night lights. Some farm fields were heavily infested with fall armyworms. Ranchers were busy with hunting activities, especially during weekends, as the bird season opened in early September.

COASTAL BEND: Most areas did not receive any significant rainfall this week. However, areas that did receive rain saw continued deterioration of the cotton and soybean crop. Most growers were looking for any way to harvest; drier conditions allowed some cotton to be harvested. Pasture conditions are excellent. Dry days were improving muddy conditions that have caused problems for cattle.

SOUTH: All counties in the region reported adequate soil moisture. Wet conditions kept some cotton fields from being plowed on time. Nearly cotton harvesting was put on hold because of rain. Producers were actively defoliating cotton fields in the western parts of the region. Also in the western parts of the region this week, oat planting activities began. Range and pasture conditions continued to be excellent. Plenty of rain has meant little need for supplemental feeding of cattle, and is expected to continue to do so well into the winter months. This moisture will also provide a good stand of cool-season vegetation as well.