Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1209
Released:  March 23, 2009
For the week of:  March 16 - 22, 2009

Cooperating Agencies:
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service,
   Texas Department of Agriculture,
   National Weather Service

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The eastern and southern part of the state received up to 1 inch of rainfall while the rest of the state observed trace amounts of moisture.  Producers continued to irrigate wheat fields in the Plains.  Wheat was growing well in the Cross Timbers due to the warm weather coupled with earlier rainfall.  Cotton field preparation took place in the Northern Low Plains; however, the dry conditions were making it difficult to cultivate the land.  Pre-planted irrigation and fertilization of corn were active in the Northern High Plains.  In South Texas, cabbage harvest continued, onions were making good progress, and potatoes were in the flowering stage.  Producers continued to supplement livestock in most areas of the state.  Range and Pasture conditions improved in areas of recent rainfall.  Top soil moisture was mostly very short to adequate across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Producers continued to irrigate wheat fields in the Plains.  Many producers had sprayed small grain fields a second time for insects in the Northern High Plains and were considering a third spray.  Wheat was growing well in the Cross Timbers due to the warm weather coupled with earlier rainfall.  Oats in the Blacklands were beginning to head in several fields.  In the Edwards Plateau, most wheat and oats were in the flowering stage.  Statewide, wheat condition was mostly very poor to fair and oat condition was mostly very poor to poor.

Cotton:  Field preparation took place in the Northern Low Plains; however, the dry conditions were making it difficult to cultivate the land.

Corn:  Pre-planted irrigation and fertilization were active in the Northern High Plains.  Planting was active in South Central Texas and South Texas.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Producers were planting in South Texas to take advantage of the earlier rainfall.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

Fall planted onions were growing well in the Trans-Pecos.  In South Texas, cabbage harvest continued, onions were making good progress and potatoes were in the flowering stage.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Producers continued to supplement livestock in most areas of the state.  Cattle in North East Texas were reducing intake of hay due to improved forage conditions.  Lambing and kidding were active in the Edwards Plateau.  Range and pasture conditions improved in areas of recent rainfall.  Range and pasture condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.