COLLEGE STATION - Dreams of a white Christmas came true early for wheat producers in the Panhandle who welcomed much-needed moisture in the form of snow, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.
District extension director Dr. Bob Robinson of Amarillo said two cold fronts last week brought relief and 20 inches of snow to drought-stressed wheat in parts of the Texas Panhandle.
"The greatest amounts of snow were in the southern portions of the district," he said. "But even the mere traces of snow in the northern areas were beneficial."
Robinson said the moisture helped with the growth of the wheat, and the low temperatures helped to lessen greenbug infestations.
"We've been running very high populations of greenbugs," he said. "And an extended period of cold temperatures is helpful in slowing their development."
Robinson said the snow provided great relief to the wheat, but more moisture is needed.
"For the wheat crop and the overall moisture situation, the snow was a blessing," he said. "It certainly helped us but did not fix the problem."
Robinson said the cold fronts were accompanied by strong winds, which were not so helpful.
"The snow would have been much more beneficial had high winds that came with the fronts not drifted the snow out of the wheat fields," he said.
Dennis Newton, county extension agent in Deaf Smith County, said even though most of the 9 inches of snow in his county were blown off the wheat fields, the crop received 1-1/2 to 2 inches of moisture from the cold fronts.
He said the snow was beneficial to wheat in the county, but it did take a negative toll on cotton.
"We still had about 18,000 acres of cotton to be harvested," Newton said. "These acres were completely covered with snow and will probably be lost."
Newton said if there is no more moisture, producers will have to wait at least one week to finish harvesting the cotton that does survive.
"It will certainly have an effect on quality and grades," he said.
Robinson added that the winter pastures were also snow-covered, leaving limited forage for cattle.
"Anytime there is snow cover on the forage, supplemental feeding is required," he said. "The cattle are naturally stressed from the cold weather and snow, but it is not anything severe."
In the South Plains, district extension director Jett Major said the district was blanketed by 2 to 6 inches of wet snowfall early in the week.
"With cotton harvest 90 percent complete, the snow haluted all harvest operations," he said.
Major said the snowfall did provide much-needed moisture for the wheat.
"However, more is needed to complete the soil profile," he said.
Major said the grain sorghum harvest is nearing completion with average to good yields.
"The large sorghum acreage is creating storage problems for many elevators," he said. "Grain is being stored on the ground where grain elevators are filled to capacity."
In West Central Texas, district extension director Scott Durham said a cold front brought scattered showers but no relief to the ongoing drought.
"With the front also came high winds that continue to dry out the soil moisture," he said.
Durham said oats are making good stands but still need moisture.
"It's the same situation with wheat," he said. "Most of the wheat is looking fair, but it needs more moisture to grow."
Durham said livestock are in fair condition, and cattle herds continue to be culled.
"In Runnels County, the lack of livestock water is becoming a desperate situation," he said.
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district extension directors:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture is short to very short. Two cold fronts brought needed moisture in the form of snow. High winds drifted much of the snow out of wheat fields; temperatures should slow greenbug development. Moisture slowing harvest of remaining cotton
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is short to very short. District blanketed by 2 to 6 inches of snowfall; harvest operations halted. Fair to average cotton yields reported. Large sorghum acreage creating storage problems for elevators; sorghum being stored on ground.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is very short. Received rain, snow, sleet; moisture helped conditions to improve slightly. Cotton harvest slowed due to moisture. Above average peanut grades reported. Wheat suffering from dry weather; greenbug damage down.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short to adequate. Pastures have responded to recent rains. Grass conditions are still short, but ryegrass and winter pastures should improve with increased soil moisture. Pecan harvest continues; fair to good crop reported.
EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Rainfall over most of the district. Winter pastures responding to the moisture. Hay feeding increasing. Cole crops progressing. Fair pecan crop reported.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Pastures need moisture; drought conditions persist. Livestock faring well; producers using supplemental feed, hay on rangeland. Cotton harvest is winding down; an average crop is reported. Pecan harvest continues.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. A cold front brought some scattered showers but no relief to the ongoing drought. Cotton harvest is nearly complete; most yields are above average. Livestock in fair condition; supplemental feeding continues.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Too dry for full germination of wheat; many fields dying from lack of rainfall and poor root system. Stock tank water becoming a major concern. Supplemental feeding now necessary.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Some counties recorded light rainfall. Winter pastures still need moisture. Preparation for spring planting almost complete. Supplemental feeding continues; cattle showing strain of drought. Peach pruning in full swing.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Drought conditions persist. Pastures remain in mid-summer dormancy. Small grains failed. Dry spell is putting spring planting of corn, sorghum in jeopardy. Increased pest problems reported due to dry weather.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is short. Very cool weather with no moisture reported. All major crops in fallow stage. Pastures are short; winter forage needs moisture. Livestock are in good condition; feeding continues. Low pecan quality and yields reported.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Corn crop is progressing well; close to reaching mature stage. Field operations for next year's row crop season under way. Sugarcane harvest continues; sugar content improving. Some late sorghum still out.