Texas Crop Weather

Issue:  TX-CW4409
Released:  November 2, 2009
For the week of:  October 26 - November 1, 2009

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

Maps:
   Agricultural District Map

Agricultural Summary:  Showers swept across the eastern part of the state leaving up to 2 to 10 inches of moisture in isolated areas.  The rest of the state observed light to moderate amounts of rainfall.  Recent rainfall and cooling temperatures improved wheat growing conditions in the High Plains.  Cotton harvest was in full-swing across the Plains; however, harvest was delayed in some areas due to wet conditions.  Harvest of late-planted corn continued in parts of the Northern High Plains.  Wheat planting was delayed due to wet conditions in the Cross Timbers and Blacklands.  Wheat emerged and progressed well in the Edwards Plateau and South Texas.  Supplemental feeding of livestock increased in localized areas of the state as summer forages became dormant due to the cooler weather.  Range and pastures continued to improve due to the recent rainfall across most of the state.  Top soil moisture was mostly adequate to surplus across the state.

Field Crops Report

Small Grains:  Recent rainfall and cooling temperatures improved wheat growing conditions in the High Plains.  Wheat planting was delayed due to wet conditions in the Cross Timbers and Blacklands.  Wheat and oats in the Blacklands were affected by armyworms.  Wheat emerged and progressed well in the Edwards Plateau and South Texas.  Wheat condition was mostly fair to good statewide.  Oat condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Cotton:  Cotton harvest was in full-swing across the Plains; however, harvest was delayed in some areas due to wet conditions.  Cotton harvest was delayed in the Trans-Pecos due to high winds and wet conditions.  Cotton condition was mostly fair to good statewide.

Corn:  Harvest of late-planted corn continued in parts of the Northern High Plains.  Corn condition was mostly very poor to good statewide.

Sorghum:  Sorghum condition was mostly very poor to fair statewide.

Peanuts:  Producers continued to harvest peanuts in some areas of the Plains.  Peanut harvest in South Texas was delayed due to wet conditions.  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

Freezing conditions in the Trans-Pecos and Edwards Plateau caused slight damage to vegetables and chilies in the Trans-Pecos.  Cabbage harvest continued while rainfall delayed spinach and onion planting in South Texas.

Pecans:  Pecans harvest made good progress in the Edwards Plateau and South Central Texas.

Livestock, Range and Pasture Report

Supplemental feeding of livestock increased in localized areas of the state as summer forages became dormant due to the cooler weather.  Stock tank levels were full in most areas of the state.  Some hay was still being cut in localized areas of the state and baling was delayed due to wet conditions.  Army worms and feral hogs continued to damage hay meadows and pastures in some areas of the state.  Range and pastures continued to improve due to the recent rainfall across most of the state.  Range and pasture condition was mostly fair to good statewide.