Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW3809
Released:  September 21, 2009
For the week of:  September 14 - 20, 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 10 inches of rainfall and the southern part of the state observed up to 5 inches of moisture.  The rest of the state observed scattered showers.  Winter wheat planting was in full-swing, cotton was in need of more heat and dry weather, and sorghum was turning color in the Northern High Plains.  Sorghum progressed well and winter wheat planting had begun in the Southern High Plains.  Recent moisture improved wheat growing conditions in the Edwards Plateau and South Central Texas.  Cotton harvest continued in southern areas of the state.  Cotton ginning was active in parts of South Texas.  Producers prepared to harvest peanuts in the Southern Plains.  In the Trans-Pecos, hail caused severe damage to pecan trees.  Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in localized areas of the state, however, livestock were grazing the greener pastures due to the recent rainfall.  Range and pastures progressed well due to the recent rainfall across most of the state, however, the southern part of the state continued to be in need of moisture.  Top soil moisture was mostly short to adequate across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Winter wheat planting was in full-swing in the Northern High Plains.  Winter wheat planting had begun in parts of the Southern High Plains.  Recent rainfall provided adequate moisture for planting in the Southern Low Plains.  Recent rainfall in the Northern Low Plains and the Cross Timbers delayed wheat planting.  Recent moisture improved wheat growing conditions in the Edwards Plateau and South Central Texas.

Cotton:  In the Northern High Plains, cotton was in need of more heat and dry weather to continue maturing.  Early planted cotton was opening and dropping fruit in the Northern Low Plains.  Cotton harvest was delayed due to rainfall in the Blacklands and Eastern Texas.  Cotton harvest continued in southern areas of the state.  Cotton ginning was active in parts of South Texas.  Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Corn:  Corn harvest was active in the High Plains, however, moisture caused delays.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Sorghum was turning color in the Northern High Plains.  Grain sorghum in the Southern High Plains progressed well.  Grain sorghum harvest neared completion in the Northern Low Plains.  Rain delayed sorghum harvest in the Blacklands.  Sorghum condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.

Peanuts:  Producers prepared to harvest peanuts in the Southern Plains.  Producers applied fungicides due to peanut diseases in the Northern Low Plains.  Peanuts progressed well in South Texas as producers prepared for harvest.  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 and peas were in the final growth stages in the Southern High Plains.  Fall vegetable planting had begun in the Edwards Plateau.  Sunflower and sesame harvest was delayed due to very wet fields in parts of the Coastal Bend.  Bed preparation continued for spinach, onions, and carrots in South Texas.

Pecans:  In the Trans-Pecos, hail caused severe damage to pecan trees.  Pecans progressed well in the Edwards Plateau.

Livestock, Range and Pasture Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in localized areas of the state, however, livestock were grazing the greener pastures due to the recent rainfall.  Stock tank levels in some areas of the state were replenished due to the recent rainfall.  Weaning and selling of livestock continued in localized parts of the state.  Hay cutting was delayed in parts of the state where rainfall was received.  Army worms and feral hogs caused hay meadows to suffer in East Texas.  Range and pastures progressed well due to the recent rainfall across most of the state, however, the southern part of the state continued to be in need of moisture.  Range and pasture condition was mostly fair to good statewide.