Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW1909
Released:  May 11, 2009
For the week of:  May 4 - 10, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The eastern part of the state received up to 6 inches of rainfall while the rest of the state received trace amounts of moisture.  Wheat continued to suffer in the High Plains.  Winter wheat was heading out in the Trans-Pecos.  In the High Plains, cotton planting was in full swing.  Most of the cotton crop has been planted in the Blacklands.  Corn was being planted in the High Plains.  Corn was tasseling in South Texas.  Sorghum was being planted in the Southern High Plains.  Cabbage harvest continued this past week in South Texas while producers harvested green beans, potatoes and onions.  Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in parts of the state.  Range and pasture conditions improved across the state due to the earlier rainfall.  Top soil moisture was mostly very short to adequate across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Wheat continued to suffer in the High Plains due to disease, insects and lack of moisture.  Freeze damage to the wheat crop across the state was becoming more evident as the crop matured.  Fields were turning color in the Cross Timbers.  Winter wheat was heading out in the Trans-Pecos.  Producers harvested wheat and oats in South Texas.  Statewide, wheat condition was mostly very poor to poor and oat condition was mostly very poor to fair.

Cotton:  In the High Plains, planting was in full swing.  Improved soil moisture in the Northern Low Plains has caused producers to increase planting activities.  Most of the crop has been planted in the Blacklands due to improved soil moisture.  Earlier rainfall in the Edwards Plateau improved planting conditions.  Planting has begun in South Texas.

Corn:  Due to higher soil temperatures, corn was being planted in the High Plains.  Warmer weather and recent rainfall has improved growing conditions in the Blacklands.  Corn was tasseling in South Texas.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Sorghum was being planted in the Southern High Plains.  The crop was progressing well due to the recent month’s rainfall.  In South Texas, sorghum was reaching critical development stages where water applications were essential.  Sorghum condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.

Rice:  Due to recent flooding, some planted rice did not germinate in the Upper Coast.  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 continued in the Northern High Plains.  Sunflower planting continued in the Southern High Plains.  Fall planted onions have begun to bulb in the Trans-Pecos.  Cabbage harvest continued this past week in South Texas while producers harvested green beans, potatoes and onions.

Pecan:  Nut case bearer flight was delayed due to the late freeze in the Blacklands.  Trees bloomed and pollen was released in the Trans-Pecos.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in parts of the state.  Cattle were progressing well in the Blacklands and North East Texas.  In the Edwards Plateau, ranchers continued shearing sheep and goats while marking lambs.  In the Trans-Pecos, goat herds have kidded out and mare bands were in the middle of foaling and breeding season.  Range and pasture conditions improved across the state due to the earlier rainfall.  Range and pasture condition was mostly fair to good statewide.