COLLEGE STATION -- Recent scattered showers teased North Texas producers with drought relief while strong winds dried up the moisture just as quickly as it came, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.
District extension director Randy Upshaw of Dallas said the showers last week provided little relief to drought-stressed crops in North Texas, and damaging winds dried up any soil moisture that resulted from the rainfall.
Upshaw said the spotted showers ranged from 1-1/2 inches of rain to mere traces across the North Texas district.
"The widest band of rainfall fell across the northern tier of my district," he said. "But it was just not enough rain."
Upshaw said the rainfall did not significantly increase pond water levels or provide relief to wheat and grain crops.
"It was just enough rain to tease us," he said. "The winds on Dec. 2 destroyed any good the rain did do."
Upshaw said strong winds resulted in structural damage in the counties of Cooke, Wise and Denton.
"These and other high speed winds across North Texas continue to dry out the soil," he said. "In any areas that did receive substantial rainfall, the winds dried the soil back out."
Upshaw said as a result the moisture levels in North Texas remain fair to poor, with the majority being poor.
Rebecca Parker, extension agent in Denton County, said the storm's winds had minimal effects on the county's main crop, wheat.
"Wheat production is so retarded from the drought," she said. "Normally, we would have sustained much more damage, but there is little wheat growth to damage."
Parker said because wheat growth is so slow, the plants are close to the ground and were safe from the winds.
She said the rain accompanied by the winds provided some relief, but was not nearly enough. Producers who plant wheat and oats as pastures for grazing are especially in need of more moisture, Parker said.
"They plant small grains almost a month earlier, and that means these crops are the driest," she said. "Rainfall is more crucial to these producers."
Parker said producers in North Texas are looking forward to more rain, which is forecast for the later part of the week.
In the Panhandle, district extension director Dr. Bob Robinson of Amarillo said winds continue to be a problem.
"The dry, dusty conditions are causing some health problems in cattle," he said.
Robinson said the dryland wheat is also very drought-stressed.
"There has been no moisture this week, and none for the entire month of November," he said.
Robinson said there are reports of greenbugs in many wheat fields.
"However, producers are reluctant to treat because of poor dryland wheat prospects and poor prices," he said.
In Far West Texas, district extension director Charles Neeb said high winds and drought conditions persist.
"No range feed is available," he said. "What livestock are left will be fed throughout the winter."
Neeb said a killing freeze did occur, allowing producers to complete the cotton harvest.
"This is the first freeze so far," he said. "Blooms were recorded as late as Nov. 15." Neeb said more cold weather is needed for pecan harvesting.
"Some parts of the district have not had a hard enough frost to drop leaves," he said. "All small orchards are waiting for total leaf drop before harvesting."
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district extension directors:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture is very short. Dryland wheat is drought-stressed; greenbugs are a continuing problem. Cotton harvest continues; good yields reported. Cattle in good condition; dry, dusty conditions are causing some health problems.
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is very short to short. Open weather has allowed continuation of harvest activities. Good cotton yields reported. Sorghum and soybean harvests near completion. Dryland wheat fields continue to need moisture. Pecan harvest under way.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is very short. Light rainfall and high winds reported. Cotton stripping increased due to the freeze. Wheat crop is suffering. Most wheat has emerged, but there is little growth. Range and pasture conditions continue to decline.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Moderate crop growth reported with little relief from rain. High winds drying soil. Livestock numbers are declining. Ponds are low, producers hauling water. Hay feeding continues. Vegetable harvest complete.
EAST TEXAS: No information available.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. High winds persist along with drought conditions. Killing freeze allowed producers to finish cotton harvest. Wheat fields are dry, need moisture for emergence and growth. Pecan harvest continues; varied yields, quality.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Cotton harvest is winding down. Oat, wheat stands are weak; rain is needed if they are to survive. Livestock in fair condition; supplemental feeding continues. = Livestock water supply is a growing concern.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Dry weather continues to adversely affect wheat; wheat stands rated from fair to good. Quality and yields in pecans vary. Oats planted; not growing to good stand due to dry weather.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Some counties received very little rainfall while others received more. Winter pastures still need moisture; very little, if any, winter grazing. Feeding cattle continues; some cattle showing strain of little moisture.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is short. High winds over the weekend stirred up dust and further dried out the soil. Livestock marketing very active. Harvest of cabbage, broccoli, spinach, carrots continues. Pecan quality good with excellent yields.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is short. Fertilization of fields continues in preparation for spring planting. Oats in need of moisture. Pastures are short; winter forage is stunted due to dry weather. Fall vegetables look excellent where irrigation is available.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short. High winds reported. Corn crop progressing well; crop is close to mature stage. Harvest continues of greens and peppers. Citrus harvest continues. Field operations for next year's row crop season under way.