Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1509
Released:  April 13, 2009
For the week of:  April 6 - 12, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The northern part of the state received up to 3 inches of moisture while the rest of the state received little to no rainfall.  Winter wheat was under stress in areas of the state that experienced freezing temperatures.  Cotton field preparation took place in parts of the Plains; however, planting decisions were still undecided for many producers.  Corn planting continued in South Central Texas.  Corn was progressing well in South Texas as producers increased irrigation.  Sorghum producers were planting in the Blacklands while planting was almost complete in South Texas.  Sunflower and pumpkin field preparation took place in the Northern High Plains.  Pecan growers were making a zinc spray in the Blacklands while pecans were budding.  Supplemental feeding of livestock continued across the state.  Pasture and range land remained dry across the state.  Top soil moisture was mostly very short to adequate across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  The Russian aphids and green bugs continued to damage the wheat crop in the Northern High Plains.  Winter wheat was under stress in areas of the state that experienced freezing temperatures.  Producers were finishing wheat and oat harvest for silage in North East Texas.  Statewide, wheat condition was mostly very poor to poor and oat condition was mostly very poor to poor.

Cotton:  Field preparation took place in parts of the Plains; however, planting decisions were still undecided for many producers.  Producers were planting in the Trans-Pecos.  Irrigated cotton in South Texas was progressing well.

Corn:  Fields were being irrigated in the Northern High Plains for planting preparation.  In the Blacklands, feral hogs have destroyed many acres by rooting up the seeds.  Across the state, corn was under stress due to the recent freeze.  Planting continued in South Central Texas.  Corn was progressing well in South Texas as producers increased irrigation.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Producers were preparing their land for planting in the Northern Low Plains.  Producers were planting in the Blacklands while planting was almost complete in South Texas.  Sorghum condition was mostly poor to fair statewide.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

Sunflower and pumpkin field preparation took place in the Northern High Plains.  Onions were progressing well in the Southern Low High Plains and the Trans-Pecos.  In South Texas, cabbage harvest continued and watermelons were being planted.

Pecans:  Growers were making a zinc spray in the Blacklands while pecans were budding.  Pecans were breaking dormancy in the Trans-Pecos.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued across the state.  Spring calving continued in South East Texas.  In the Edwards Plateau, ranchers were shearing sheep and goats while marking lambs.  Pasture and range land remained dry across the state.  High winds have dried out top soil moisture in the Cross Timbers.  Recent cool temperatures have slowed pasture growth in the Blacklands.  Range and pasture condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.