Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW3109
Released:  August 3, 2009
For the week of:  July 27 - August 2, 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 15 inches of rainfall while the southern part of the state received little to no rainfall.  Across the rest of the state, 0.25 inches to 4 inches of moisture were observed.  Localized hail and high winds caused some damage to crops in the Northern and Southern Plains.  Wheat field preparation took place in the Northern Plains.  In the Northern High Plains, cotton and corn progressed well under heavy irrigation.  Cotton bolls opened in the Southern High Plains and grain sorghum headed out in the Southern Low Plains.  In the Blacklands, cotton progressed well and corn harvest was in full swing.  In South Central Texas, cotton matured rapidly.  In the Coastal Bend, grain sorghum harvest neared completion.  Corn harvest and peanut pegging was active in South Texas.  Pecans neared the nut drop stage in the Trans-Pecos.  Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in localized parts of the state.  Recent rainfall improved range and pasture conditions in the northern part of the state while range and pastures in the southern part of the state were in need of moisture.  Top soil moisture was mostly very short to adequate across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Wheat field preparation took place in the Northern Plains.  Recent rainfall provided adequate soil moisture for land preparation in the Blacklands.

Cotton:  In the Northern High Plains, cotton progressed well under heavy irrigation.  Cotton bolls opened in the Southern High Plains.  Cotton progressed well in the Northern Low Plains due to the recent rainfall.  Cotton was in need of moisture in the Southern Low Plains.  In the Blacklands, cotton progressed well.  In South Central Texas, cotton matured rapidly due to the hot, dry weather.  Cotton defoliation continued in the Coastal Bend.  Producers prepared to harvest cotton in the Upper Coast.  Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Corn:  Corn progressed well in the Northern High Plains due to heavy irrigation and little insect activity.  Corn progressed well due to cooler temperatures from the recent rainfall in the Northern Low Plains.  Corn harvest was in full swing in the Blacklands, North East Texas, and South Central Texas.  Corn harvest was active in South Texas.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Grain sorghum progressed well due to cooler temperatures from the recent rainfall in the Northern High Plains.  Grain Sorghum headed out in the Southern Low Plains.  Grain sorghum suffered in the Blacklands due to hot, dry weather.  In the Coastal Bend, grain sorghum harvest neared completion.  Sorghum condition was mostly fair to good.

Peanuts:  Pegging was active in the Northern Low Plains and South Texas.  Peanut condition was mostly fair to good 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

Sunflowers progressed well in the Northern High Plains.  Blueberry and blackberry harvest neared completion in North East Texas.

Pecan:  Pecans neared the nut drop stage in the Trans-Pecos.  Pecans progressed well in the Edwards Plateau.

Livestock, Range and Pasture Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in localized parts of the state.  Stock tank levels benefitted across the state from the recent rainfall.  Livestock herd liquidation continued in localized parts of the state.  Recent rainfall improved range and pasture conditions in the northern part of the state while range and pastures in the southern part of the state were in need of moisture.  Range and pasture condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.