Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1409
Released:  April 6, 2009
For the week of:  March 30 - April 5, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The western part of the state received little to no moisture while the rest of the state received up to 3 inches of rainfall.  Producers continued to irrigate wheat fields in the Plains.  Winter wheat was under stress in areas of the state that experienced freezing temperatures.  Cotton field preparation took place in the Plains while producers were planting in the Trans-Pecos.  The recent hail storm damaged corn in the Edwards Plateau.  Planting continued in South Central Texas.  Wind caused stress on newly emerged sorghum.  Producers were planting sorghum in South Texas.  Pecan Trees in the Trans-Pecos and South Texas were at leaf break.  The peach crop in the Cross Timbers was under stress due to freezing temperatures.  Wind in the Edwards Plateau caused stress on the watermelon crop.  Cattle condition was improving across the state as winter annuals provided grazing.  Range and Pasture conditions improved in areas of recent rainfall; however, more rain was needed to prevent pasture conditions from deteriorating.  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.  Winter wheat was under stress in areas of the state that experienced freezing temperatures.  Producers were harvesting wheat and oats for silage in North East Texas.  Wheat in the Cross Timbers was being grazed out.  Wheat in the Edwards Plateau was in need of more moisture.  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 Plains while producers were planting in the Trans-Pecos.  Irrigated cotton in South Texas was progressing well.

Corn:  Recent rainfall improved field preparation conditions and pre-planted irrigation continued in the Northern High Plains.  Corn has emerged in the Blacklands; however hogs have destroyed many acres by rooting up the seeds.  The recent hail storm damaged corn in the Edwards Plateau.  Planting continued in South Central Texas.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Wind caused stress on the new crop.  Producers were planting in South Texas.  Sorghum condition was mostly poor to fair statewide.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

The peach crop in the Cross Timbers was under stress due to freezing temperatures.  Wind in the Edwards Plateau caused stress on the watermelon crop.  In South Texas, watermelons were being planted, spinach harvest was almost complete, onions were making good progress, and potatoes continued to develop as most were past the flowering stage.

Pecans:  Trees in the Trans-Pecos and South Texas were at leaf break.  Water restrictions in South Texas continued to hamper irrigation activities by producers who depend on the river for water.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Cattle were stressed in the Northern High Plains due to the recent snow storm.  Cattle conditions were improving across the state as winter annuals provided grazing.  In the Edwards Plateau, ranchers were shearing sheep and goats while marking lambs.  Range and pasture conditions improved in areas of recent rainfall, however, more rain was needed to prevent pasture conditions from deteriorating.  Range and pasture condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.