COLLEGE STATION – Texas crops and rangeland are sizzling under extreme heat and dry conditions, with normal patterns of hot weather predicted through the remainder of the summer.
"Virtually the whole state with the exception of the High Plains, is in severe or extreme drought," said Travis Miller, an agronomist with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service. "We had a good respite with the rains in May and June in a number of locations across the Texas, but that's all gone and left these high temperatures."
Despite relentless heat across the state, farmers who took advantage of early planting of corn and sorghum and received rains in both May and June have enjoyed high yields. These crops throughout South and Central Texas have been "excellent," Miller noted.
"They are cutting corn pretty rapidly in Central Texas, and everywhere I've seen, there's been excellent grain crops," Miller said.
Fifty-nine percent of the state's corn crop is rated in good condition; only 38 percent of the state's cotton crop is rated in good condition.
"I think this heat is going to stress the North Texas cotton crop severely," Miller said. "The Rolling and High Plains, particularly the southern part of the plains, has been pretty stressed. If they don't get some timely rains, that crop is going to be in big trouble."
Grain crop yields in the eastern part of Texas have been excellent with the exception of Northeast Texas along the Red River where extreme moisture delayed planting earlier this season. Those crops planted late are now "running into the teeth of this extreme hot weather."
Range and pasture land across Texas continues to suffer from a lack of moisture – 32 percent of range and pasture is in poor condition, while 27 percent is rated as fair.
"Range conditions are rapidly declining," Miller said. "Those producers who didn't make hay this past spring, it will be a long time before they will make any more. There were various types of hay crops across the state, some (producers) got three cuttings, some only got one. Most of the state has some hay now, but conditions are declining rapidly. If we don't get some significant rain in August, I foresee ranchers having to early feed."
Early feeding has already begun in the Coastal Bend where pastures continue to deteriorate.
Much of the state is predicted to be in either moderate or severe drought through August, according to the Palmer Probability Index.
Gov. George Bush recently issued a proclamation declaring a state of disaster in 195 Texas counties, requesting a federal emergency declaration for fire assistance based on extreme drought conditions in those counties. If the declaration is approved, the federal government will pay up to 75 percent of the costs of putting fire fighting equipment, personnel and other resources in place to fight fires.
Good news is in store for producers this winter, according to John Nielsen-Gammon, state climatologist based in College Station.
"(Weather models indicate) a wetter than normal winter will be likely," Nielsen said. "That will be a refreshing change to farmers and ranchers. It will also help in the recovery from the heat and the dryness of the summer."
Nielsen-Gammon said the rain cycles will likely begin to appear during November, but until then hot seasonal temperatures will continue to prevail over most of the state.