Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW3909
Released:  September 28, 2009
For the week of:  September 21 - 27, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  The southern part of the state received up to 6 inches of rainfall while the eastern and northern part of the state observed up to 2 inches of moisture.  The rest of the state received moderate amounts of moisture.  Winter wheat planting continued and sorghum harvest was active in the Northern High Plains.  In the Northern Low Plains, cotton continued to open and recent rainfall improved wheat growing conditions.  Wheat planting progressed well in the Southern Low Plains due to adequate moisture.  In the Trans-Pecos, pecans continued to mature and recent hail damaged cotton.  Cotton harvest continued in southern areas of the state.  Cool and damp conditions continued to delay corn harvest in the High Plains.  Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in localized areas of the state, however, supplementation declined due to improved pasture conditions.  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 continued in the Northern High Plains.  Recent rainfall improved wheat growing conditions in the Northern Low Plains and Cross Timbers.  Wheat planting progressed well in the Southern Low Plains due to adequate moisture.  Recent moisture in South Central Texas improved wheat and oat planting conditions.

Cotton:  In the Northern High Plains, cotton continued to be in need of heat units and dry weather.  Producers sprayed defoliant on cotton to help open bolls in the Southern High Plains.  Cotton continued to open in the Northern Low Plains.  Recent hail damaged cotton in parts of the Trans-Pecos.  Cotton harvest continued in southern areas of the state.  Cotton ginning continued in South Texas.  Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Corn:  Cool and damp conditions continued to delay corn harvest in the High Plains.  Corn condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Sorghum harvest was active in the Northern Plains.  Wild hogs caused damage to sorghum in the Northern Low Plains.  Recent rainfall delayed sorghum harvest in the Blacklands.  Sorghum condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.

Peanuts:  Producers began to dig peanuts in parts of the Southern High Plains.  Peanuts progressed well in the Southern Low Plains 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 poor to fair statewide.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report

Sunflower harvest was active in the Southern High Plains.  Sunflower harvest was delayed in the Coastal Bend due to the recent rainfall.  In South Central Texas, sweet potato harvest was delayed due to the recent rainfall.  Recently planted cabbage progressed well due to the recent rainfall in South Texas.

Pecans:  In the Trans-Pecos, pecans continued to mature and shuck and nut separation was near.

Livestock, Range and Pasture Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock continued in localized areas of the state, however, supplementation declined due to improved pasture conditions.  Stock tank levels in some areas of the state continued to be replenished due to the recent rainfall.  Weaning and selling of livestock continued in localized parts of the state.  In areas of the state where rainfall was received, producers were waiting for hay fields to dry out before the final cutting.  Army worms and feral hogs caused damage to hay meadows 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.