COLLEGE STATION - Dry weather is taking a toll on Texas wheat and leaving livestock with limited winter forage, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports. Extension agronomist Travis Miller of College Station said the next two to three weeks will be a critical period for dryland wheat across the state. "We have a good wheat crop in parts of the Northern Plains and the Rolling Plains near the Red River," he said "But the remainder of the crop is in desperate need of rain."
Miller said most wheat was either dry sown or planted after the rainfall in late October. "It's planted with one to two inches of moisture and then dry soil below that," he said. "The moisture is not going to last another three weeks." Miller said there is limited winter forage as a result of the dry weather. "We are not obtaining enough moisture for wheat to carry the cattle through winter," he said. Miller said roughly a third to a half of the Texas wheat crop never sees a combine. It's grazed as a forage crop, he said. District extension director Charles Neeb of Fort Stockton said many of the counties in Far West Texas remain in severe drought conditions and the livestock are having to be fed everything they eat. "Our livestock numbers are dwindling," he said. "Naturally, there is supplemental feeding, but it won't be as intense because the numbers are already so low." Neeb said many growers are waiting on moisture for planting in his district and they won't be able to wait much longer. "We like to get rainfall in September or October for planting, so this could be very detrimental," he said. "Much of the wheat will have to be dry planted." Miller said Texas is not alone in this situation. "This lack of moisture continues through Kansas," he said. "Growers in several areas are just not receiving enough moisture for good stands to carry the crop through the winter." The dry weather is a mixed blessing for Texas agriculture, Neeb added. "The dry weather that is hurting wheat makes good harvest conditions for other crops like cotton," he said. In the Panhandle, district extension director Dr. Bob Robinson said wheat varies from very poor to good. "Some dryland stands are yellowing and dying from the lack of moisture," he said. Robinson said insect problems have also challenged wheat growers. "Greenbugs and a few Russian wheat aphids have been reported," he said. Robinson said sorghum harvest is nearing completion. "Yields have generally been good," he said. In East Texas, district extension director Tony Douglas said grazing is very limited. "The winter pastures are in poor condition due to the moisture shortage," he said. Douglas said hay feeding is under way in most areas. "However, the cattle are doing well, with stable prices," he said. Douglas said the pecan harvest is wrapping up. "Fair yields and quality were reported," he said. The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district extension directors:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture is short to very short. Some dryland wheat is yellowing, dying from the lack of moisture; greenbugs and Russian wheat aphids reported. Sorghum harvest is nearing completion; good yields reported. Cattle are in good condition. SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Pastures and ranges in fair to good condition. Cotton harvest continues. Sorghum, soybean and sunflower harvest continues. Peanuts in good condition; harvest continues. Good pecan crop reported. ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is short to very short. Wheat planting is nearing completion; it has been dry sown. Good yields and grades have been reported from the peanut harvest. The pecan harvest continues with decent yields. Pasture conditions are declining. NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Conditions are very dry. Pastures in need of moisture. Supplemental feeding continues; stock water is depleted. Pecan harvest beginning; some nuts not filled out due to dryness. Cotton harvest completed. EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Grazing very limited; winter pastures in poor condition due to moisture shortage. Hay feeding under way in most areas; cattle conditions fair to good. There is very little vegetable activity. Fair pecan crops reported. FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Livestock conditions declining; cattle requiring supplemental feeding. Wheat planting continues; it's too dry for emergence. Apples are mostly harvested. Peaches are dormant. Reports of excellent quality pecans. WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Oat producers are planting. Cotton harvest continues; varied yields reported. Wheat fields are being dry planted. Livestock in fair condition; supplemental feeding continues. Average pecan quality reported. CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Winter grasses have emerged; still too small to provide adequate grazing. Corn, cotton and sorghum yields reported at record levels. Dryland peanut yields are poor. Most of the wheat has been planted. SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. The second rice harvest is under way. Cattle prices remain steady at local markets. Pastures are in desperate need of rain. The peanut harvest is under way. SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Small grains that were planted early have failed. The surface moisture from expected winter rain will not sustain spring crops. The peanut harvest is complete. Forage availability is becoming critical. COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is very short. Dry weather conditions have kept winter pastures from being planted. Oats in need of rain; majority of dry planted oats haven't emerged. Cattle conditions are declining; many ranchers are now full-feeding hay. SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Sugarcane harvest is in full swing. Pastures are in fair condition and in need of moisture. Cabbage, onions progressing well. Insect activity has been minimal. Some farmers are now irrigating their vegetables.