Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW3409
Released:  August 24, 2009
For the week of:  August 17 - 23, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The Northern High Plains, North East Texas, and the Upper Coast observed up to 6 inches of rainfall.  The rest of the state observed a trace to 2 inches of rainfall.  Producers prepared for the winter wheat season in the northern part of the state.  Corn, cotton, and sorghum progressed well in the Northern High Plains.  Cotton was setting bolls in the Plains.  Sorghum harvest was active in the Southern Low Plains.  Corn harvest was in full-swing and grain sorghum was turning color in the Blacklands.  Pecans neared completion of the water stage in the Trans-Pecos.  Cotton harvest continued in the Coastal Bend.  Bolls were opening in South Texas and progressed well under heavy irrigation.  Wheat planting began in parts of the Cross Timbers.  Supplemental feeding of hay to livestock continued in localized areas of the state as pasture conditions continued to decline due to lack of moisture.  Range and pastures have improved in Central and Northern Texas where rainfall was received.  Top soil moisture was mostly very short to short across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Producers prepared for the winter wheat season in the northern part of the state.  Wheat planting began in parts of the Cross Timbers.  Producers were in need of moisture to begin wheat and oat planting in South Texas.

Cotton:  In the Northern High Plains, cotton continued to progress well; however, the crop was in need of heat units.  Boll worms and stink bugs caused stress on cotton in parts of the Southern High Plains.  Cotton progressed well in the Northern Low Plains and spraying was active.  Cotton was setting bolls in the Plains.  Cotton harvest continued in the Coastal Bend.  Bolls were opening in South Texas and progressed well under heavy irrigation.  Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Corn:  Corn progressed well in the Northern High Plains.  Corn harvest was in full-swing in the Blacklands and benefited from the warm, dry conditions.  Corn condition was mostly very poor to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Grain sorghum progressed well due to the recent rainfall in parts of the Northern High Plains.  Grain Sorghum was heading out in the Southern High Plains.  Grain sorghum continued turning color in the Blacklands.  Sorghum condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.

Peanuts:  Peanuts progressed well due to the recent rainfall in the Northern Low Plains.  In South Texas, peanuts continued to develop with irrigation.  Peanut condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Rice:  Rice condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Soybeans:  Soybean condition was mostly poor to good statewide.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

Sunflowers were drying in the Northern High Plains.  Chilies were in full-bloom in the Trans-Pecos.  Vegetable harvest neared completion in North East Texas.

Pecan:  Pecan neared completion of the water stage in the Trans-Pecos.  The pecan crop progressed well in the Edwards Plateau with many nut-clusters forming on trees.

Livestock, Range and Pasture Report

Supplemental feeding of hay to livestock continued in localized areas of the state as pasture conditions continued to decline due to lack of moisture.  Stock tank levels across the state remained low.  Weaning of lambs and goats continued in the Edwards Plateau.  Livestock herd liquidation continued in localized parts of the state due to hay being in short supply.  Hay fields were being cut and baled across the state.  Range and pastures suffered in the western and southern parts of Texas due to hot, dry conditions.  Range and pastures have improved in Central and Northern Texas where rainfall was received.  Range and pasture condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.