Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1508
Released:  Aptil 7, 2008
For the week of:  March 31 - April 6

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  Scattered showers were prevalent in the Eastern half of Texas, while the rest of the state observed little to no rainfall.  Parts of East Texas received up to an inch of rain last week.  The Cross Timbers and Blacklands observed up to an inch and a half of rain, and parts of South Central and the Edwards Plateau received up to an inch of rain.  Small grains started to improve due to the recent rains in the Blacklands.  Cotton planting continued in the Blacklands and South Texas, while pre-watering continued in the High Plains.  Corn planting was still delayed in several parts of the Blacklands and North East Texas due to the rain over the last two weeks.  Sorghum planting continued in the Upper Coast and South Central.  Some soybean planting was delayed due to wet conditions in North East Texas.  Pecan trees started to break out of dormancy in both the Edwards Plateau and the Trans-Pecos.  Top soil moisture in the eastern regions of the state was mostly adequate, while the top soil moisture in the rest of the state was mostly very short to short.  Pastures continued to green up in many areas of the state; however, supplemental feeding of livestock continued.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Small grains benefitted from the recent rains in the Blacklands.  Irrigated wheat thrived in the High Plains, while most wheat had already headed in South Central and South Texas regions.  Wheat condition was mostly poor to fair statewide.  Oat condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Cotton:  Cotton planting continued in the Blacklands and South Texas, while pre-watering continued in the High Plains.

Corn:  Corn planting was still delayed in several parts of the Blacklands and North East Texas due to the rain over the last two weeks.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Sorghum planting continued in the Upper Coast and South Central.  Sorghum condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Rice: Rice planting continued in the Upper Coast as weather permitted.

Soybeans:  Some soybean planting was delayed due to wet conditions in North East Texas.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

There were a few reports that peach trees continued to improve in the Cross Timbers and North East Texas.  Onions resumed growth in both Trans-Pecos and South Texas regions.

Pecans:  Pecan trees started to break out of dormancy in both the Edwards Plateau and the Trans-Pecos.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued across most of the state, even though pastures continued to green up.  Range and pasture condition was mostly fair to good statewide.