Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1608
Released:  April 14, 2008
For the week of:  April 7 - 13

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  Strong storms with winds were observed in some Northern regions of Texas.  Some of the High Plains received up to ½ inch of rain, and parts of the Low Plains received up to 2 or 3 inches of rain.  The Cross Timber, the Blacklands, and North East Texas observed from 0.25 up to 2 or 3 inches in some areas.  The rest of the state received very little to no rainfall.  Small grains continued to benefit from the recent rains in the Cross Timbers.  Pre-watering and land preparations continued for the upcoming cotton planting in the Plains.  Corn planting continued in the Blacklands, while land preparations continued in the Northern High Plains.  Some producers planted some early sorghum in the Southern Low Plains.  Fall planted onions showed good growth in the Trans-Pecos, while onion harvest continued in the Lower Valley.  Pecan trees were beginning to leaf out in North East Texas, the Trans-Pecos, Edwards Plateau, and South Central.  Top soil moisture was mostly short to adequate statewide.  Supplemental feeding of livestock decreased as pastures began to green up in most areas of the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Small grains continued to benefit from the recent rains in the Cross Timbers.  Some producers in the Blacklands sprayed for rust.  Wheat has headed in some parts of Edwards Plateau and in South Central.  Wheat condition was mostly fair to poor statewide.  Oat condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Cotton:  Pre-watering and land preparations continued for the upcoming cotton planting in the Plains.  Cotton planting slowed in parts of the Blacklands due to the recent rains.  Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Corn:  Planting continued in the Blacklands, while land preparations continued in the Northern High Plains.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Some producers planted some early sorghum in the Southern Low Plains.  Sorghum condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

Fall planted onions showed good growth in the Trans-Pecos, while onion harvest continued in the Lower Valley.  Spring planting of tomatoes and other vegetable crops continued in North East Texas.  Carrot harvest started along with some early potato fields.

Pecans:  Pecan trees were beginning to leaf out in North East Texas, the Trans-Pecos, Edwards Plateau, and South Central.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock decreased as pastures began to green up in most areas of the state.  Range and pasture condition was mostly fair to good statewide.