Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1809
Released:  May 4, 2009
For the week of:  April 27 - May 3, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The central and northern part of the state received up to 10 inches of rainfall while the rest of the state received moderate amounts of moisture.  Wheat has improved in the High Plains due to the recent rainfall.  Producers were ready to harvest wheat and oats in South Texas.  Cotton field preparation continued in parts of the Plains.  Most of the cotton crop has emerged in the Edwards Plateau.  Corn was being planted in the Northern High Plains.  Corn has begun to tassel in South Texas.  Cabbage harvest continued this past week while producers have begun to harvest green beans and potatoes.  Pecan trees bloomed in the Trans-Pecos.  Range and pasture conditions improved across the state due to the recent rainfall.  Top soil moisture was mostly very short to adequate across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Wheat has improved in the High Plains due to the recent rainfall.  Freeze and drought damage to the wheat crop across the state was becoming more evident as the crop matured.  Producers in the Cross Timbers were near completion of baling wheat hay before the recent rainfall.  Producers were ready to harvest wheat and oats in South Texas.  Statewide, wheat condition was mostly very poor to poor and oat condition was mostly very poor to poor.

Cotton:  In the High Plains, producers were waiting for an additional rainfall to continue planting.  Recent rainfall in the Northern Low Plains has prompted producers to begin planting.  Most of the crop had emerged in the Edwards Plateau due to improved soil moisture.

Corn:  Corn was being planted in the Northern High Plains, however, the recent rainfall had caused delays.  Warmer weather has improved growing conditions in the Blacklands.  Wind caused damage in the Edwards Plateau.  Corn has begun to tassel in South Texas.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Planted grain sorghum was progressing well in the Northern Low Plains.  Moisture was needed in the Coastal Bend for planting.  Sorghum was under stress in South Texas due to lack of moisture.  Sorghum condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.

Rice:  Rice condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Soybeans:  Soybean condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

Pumpkin field preparation took place in the Northern High Plains.  Sunflower planting continued in the Southern High Plains.  Cabbage harvest continued this past week while producers have begun to harvest green beans and potatoes.

Pecan:  Trees suffered from the recent hail damage in the Blacklands.  Trees bloomed in the Trans-Pecos.  Nut case bearer traps were out in the Edwards Plateau and the Blacklands.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in parts of the state.  Spring calving also continued.  Most producers have completed spring branding in the Trans-Pecos.  Range and pasture conditions improved across the state due to the recent rainfall.  Range and pasture condition was mostly fair to good statewide.