Sept. 26, 2007

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COLLEGE STATION . The recent warmer, drier weather has been a boon to crop production almost statewide, according to Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

Cotton, corn, sorghum and soybeans have benefitted from the better weather, according to Extension agents and specialists. Producers in many areas of the state are expecting better yields from their crops than previously expected.

"The excessive moisture in past months delayed harvest or caused damage to cotton," said Dr. Galen Chandler, former Extension district administrator for the Rolling Plains region. "Then it became dry again and that caused other problems. But now we.ve gotten some more rain . and more important, some heat units and that has really helped the cotton crop in this region. There seems to be good potential for it to be a record crop for many dryland farmers."

"The warm, dry September has helped the cotton harvest for the Southwest region," said Jose Pena, Extension economist at the Texas A&M University Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Uvalde. Cotton growth and harvest was delayed due to earlier rains, but now producers are seeing improved production, Pena said.

"It now looks like we.re going to have respectable yields, but not like the record yields of the past two years," he said. "Still, it.s a lot better than many might have expected."

Above-average corn, sorghum and soybean yields were reported in North Texas. Above-average sorghum yields were reported from Extension's West Central district, and .outstanding. sorghum yields were reported from its South Plains district. Additionally, hay bailing continues in many parts of the state, with producers noting improved quality. Contrasted with times of drought, there is now an adequate hay supply in most of the state. And some areas have discontinued hay bailing due to sufficient stored supplies and reduced demand, Extension agents reported.

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

PANHANDLE: Temperatures were near normal and most areas received some rain during the week. Soil moisture is rated short to surplus with most areas reporting adequate. Corn harvest is under way, but halted in some areas due to recent rains. Cotton bolls continue to open, but more heat units are needed. The cotton crop is rated very poor to good, with most areas reporting fair. Sorghum is rated fair to excellent, with most areas reporting good. Soybeans are rated good. Wheat planting is under way. Range conditions are poor to excellent, with most areas reporting good. Cattle are in excellent condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: Temperatures have been in the upper 80s to low 90s F. The corn harvest continues with good yields. Cotton is in fair to good condition and continues to mature. Several cotton fields have been defoliated and are nearing harvest. Grain sorghum harvest continues, with outstanding yields. Wheat planting continues. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition. Cattle are in good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: The region received some rain, but more importantly, some heat units for the cotton crop. Cotton is looking very good and has the potential to be a record crop for dryland farmers. Some insect damage has been recorded, but farmers caught it early enough to spray and prevent large losses. Pastures are in good shape. Unlike last year, producers are looking at keeping replacement heifers this year thanks to available grazing. Livestock are in good shape, and winter wheat is beginning to be planted. With the available moisture, producers should get a good stand. Fall armyworms will be the biggest concern with wheat. Fire ants are very active with the current weather conditions in some counties.

NORTH: Soil moisture is adequate. Rains are needed before winter crops can be planted. Corn harvest is complete, with grain sorghum and soybean harvest almost complete. Corn, grain sorghum and soybeans are above average. Most elevators and feed mills have cut corn deliveries off until next month. Growers are tilling fields in preparation for wheat planting. Some wheat, oats and other winter annuals have been planted, but only a small percentage. Hay producers are hoping for one more cutting of bermudagrass. Most producers have good stocks of hay, with production averaging five to six bales per acre. Bales range around 1,000 pounds. Armyworm infestations have been heavy in pastures and lawns throughout some counties, but pastures are doing well. Livestock are in good condition. The sweet potato harvest has begun.

EAST: The weather has been hot and dry. Hay baling continues and because of drier weather, and cuttings should be of better quality. In Henderson County, hay baling is subsiding due to a good stock of stored hay and slowing sales. Armyworms and flies remain a problem in pastures and in some home lawns. Producers are selling calves and culling cows. Soil tests are being conducted on farms in preparation for planting winter forages. Fresh vegetable produce harvesting is down to a trickle. Webworms have been reported in Panola County. Anderson County reports problems with pine sawfly in some pine plantations.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate. Range and pastures and cotton are reported to be in very poor to excellent condition. Peanuts are in poor to excellent condition. Oats are about 45 percent planted. Corn is 100 percent mature and 90 percent harvested. Sorghum is 24 percent to 100 percent mature and 25 percent to 90 percent harvested. Winter wheat is 30 percent to 40 percent planted and 25 percent emerged. Shrimp production is anticipated to be good, and harvest is scheduled for late October or early November. Cotton farmers continue to need heat units to finish this year's crop. Alfalfa production continues with at least two more anticipated cuts. There were isolated thunderstorms reported with 0.1 inch to 2 inches of rainfall in most areas, but almost 6 inches of rain fell in parts of Pecos County.

WEST CENTRAL: The weather has been pleasant, with warm days and cool nights. Some scattered showers have been reported. Field preparation for fall planting continues. Some small-grain planting is under way. Sorghum is being harvested with good to above-average yields. Cotton continues to look good. Hay baling continues. Armyworms continue to be a problem in pastures. Range and pastures remain in very good condition and continue good growth. Livestock are in good condition. Pecan crop overload continues to break branches. Pecan producers who avoided scab and other fungus problems should have a bumper crop this year.

CENTRAL: Hay baling is continuing, and stocker operators have started planting their winter forage. Pecan load has caused severe damage to limbs, and early varieties are at shuck split. Powdery mildew and scab are also present.

SOUTHEAST: A few armyworms are persisting. Most hay fields have been cut for the last time this season. This last cutting is producing some good hay. Winter annual planting will begin as soon as there is some moisture. Typical hot, sunny weather. Dry weather this week has allowed hay baling, land preparation for wheat planting, and rice harvesting. Soybeans look good with no confirmed soybean rust. Livestock are doing well.

SOUTHWEST: The region.s year-to-date cumulative rainfall is about 140 percent of the long-term average. It has been completely dry for over three weeks and the forecast calls for a very dry fall. Peanuts, green beans and cabbage continue to make good progress. Forage availability remains above average. The cotton harvest is late, but gradually gaining momentum. The dry September has helped the cotton harvest, and the pecan harvest is also starting to gain momentum. Dove hunting and hunting-related activities continue to dominate in ranching areas.

COASTAL BEND: Hot weather with occasional showers have been reported. The area had good progress with cotton harvest this week. There were wet conditions in a number of locations. Spotty showers and a tight supply of cotton pickers have limited the amount of acres that have been harvested. Hay is also being harvested. Cattle are in good to above-average condition for the end of summer.

SOUTH: There is generally adequate soil moisture throughout the region. In the middle of the region, field operations picked up as the fields dried out. Sugarcane is being planted, and preparations are being made for the upcoming harvest season, which is expected to begin in early October. The western parts of the region reported cotton development and harvesting being accelerated by dry conditions. Producers finished seedbed preparations for spinach, and they will begin planting in the next few days. Cotton harvesting continued. Livestock, range and native pastures remain in excellent condition -30-

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