Daily News Update, Feb. 6, 2008

Texas crop and weather report, 2-6-08

Dry, windy weather continued to be the rule in much of Texas, further aggravating already parched topsoil, winter wheat and pastures.

The exceptions to the low-moisture areas were the North, Southeast and a few counties in East Texas, according to reports from Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents in most of the state's 254 counties.

"Same song different verse," reported Rick Auckerman, AgriLife Extension agent in the Panhandle’s Deaf Smith County. "Dry and windy conditions continue to deplete available soil moisture and stress the area wheat crop."

"This week has been extremely windy with no moisture," said Tommy Yeater, AgriLife Extension agent at Big Spring in Howard County. "Area cotton farmers are wondering if we will get any soil moisture this winter to help restore the soil profile. Area ranchers are continuing to pray for rain and making fire breaks around pastures in case of a grass fire."

"Some areas in the county experienced a little bit of snow Thursday, but not enough to put any moisture in the ground," reported Cyndi Mills, AgriLife Extension agent in Lamb County, northwest of Lubbock. "Farmers are busy trying to keep their soil from blowing away with all the high winds we have been experiencing."

"High winds and lack of rainfall have lead to extremely hazardous conditions," said Robert Pritz, AgriLife Extension agent in Callahan County in North Central Texas. "Numerous fires have burned within the county."

Josh Blanek, AgriLife Extension agent in Somervell County southwest of Fort Worth, said, "High winds continued to deplete topsoil moisture which is already short. Very little green is to be found in the pastures. Winter food plots for livestock and wildlife have showed little growth."

The following condition reports are from AgriLife Extension agents from throughout the state:

CENTRAL: High winds continued to deplete topsoil moisture which was already low. Cattle were being supplemented with hay and feed. Producers prepared for corn and grain sorghum planting. Winter wheat needed moisture. Pecan and other nut crops were pruned.

COASTAL BEND: Overcast days with some rain was the rule. Strong winds came in the later part of the week and promoted extremely dry conditions. Four fires in Goliad County alone burned 3,800 acres. Structural damage, however, was limited to fences. Wheat was in need of rain, along with other winter forages. Livestock was still being supplemented with hay and protein.

EAST: Although rain fell in many areas, overall lack of soil moisture and windy conditions have caused such dry conditions that some counties are under a burn ban. Other counties have adequate soil moisture. In most areas, winter pastures continued to under-perform. Southern counties reported improved growth due to adequate moisture and warmer temperatures. Many producers have not fertilized this year due to high cost of nitrogen. Cattle remained in good condition. However, producers in southern counties reported trouble with hoof rot, especially on goats and lambs. Heavy supplemental feeding continued. The cold weather has been good for fruit trees that need chill-hours in order to set fruit.

NORTH: Soil moisture was adequate to short. Dry, cold weather with high winds increased the wildfire risk. Temperatures remained below average with some nights in the upper teens and lower 20s. The cold weather inhibited winter forage production. Winter wheat emerged and was in fair condition. Some producers top dressed wheat with fertilizer. High costs caused some producers to think twice about fertilizing, however. The pecan harvest was nearly completed. The cool, wet conditions have also adversely affected livestock. Cattle were consuming large amounts of hay and protein supplements. Pasture grasses and hay supplies, while abundant, do not contain much protein, and producers have been advised to supplement cattle with high-protein rations. Calving continued with cattle in fair condition. Small grain and winter annual pastures look bad and are in need of moisture. Rangeland pastures appear in fair condition.

PANHANDLE: Temperatures varied from near average to slightly above average. Part of the area received some moisture early in the week. High winds caused soil erosion. Soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate, with most areas reporting short to very short. Wheat conditions continued to decline because of extremely dry conditions. Wheat ranged from very poor to good, with most areas reporting fair to poor. Range conditions were rated very poor to good, with most areas reporting poor. Wildfire danger remained high. Cattle were in fair condition, with supplemental feeding continuing.

ROLLING PLAINS: The region was in dire need of more moisture. High winds, with little to no moisture, further dried out soils. Some western parts of the region got a light snow but not enough to put any moisture in the ground. The wheat crop is in desperate need of moisture. The only wheat that looked good was under irrigation. To make matters worse, greenbugs continued to threaten most of the wheat crop. Large numbers of the pests were found throughout the area, and numbers continued to increase. Forage was limited, and some cows were in poor condition. Stocker cattle were not gaining well due to lack of wheat grazing. Wildfires broke out across the district, and burn bans were kept in place.

SOUTH: Short to very short soil moisture and poor range and pasture conditions have been reported in the central and western parts of the region. Western areas experienced several grass fires this week due to the extreme dry conditions. Producers were still having to irrigate spinach, cabbage, onions, carrots and other cool-season crops. Spring wheat planting on dryland fields came to a standstill due to the dry conditions. There was little to no germination of planted wheat. The harvesting of vegetables, citrus and sugarcane continued. As spring planting approaches, producers hoped for some rainfall soon. Available forage decreased in quality and availability, causing livestock producers to increase supplemental feeding.

SOUTH PLAINS: The region had several cold days with high winds and blowing soils, and a cold blast of snow on the last day of January. Wind gusts reported up to 66 mph damaged trees, structures and cotton-module tarps. Area producers continued to prepare fields for the spring-planting season. The cool, dry conditions took a toll on wheat, and stands were in poor to fair condition. Some taller irrigated wheat had significant dieback. Pastures and ranges were in poor to fair condition. Cattle were under increased stress because of frequent cold fronts and extremely cold nighttime temperatures. Producers continued feeding livestock supplements.

SOUTHEAST: Warm conditions late in the week helped promote growth of winter annuals. The region has adequate to surplus soil moisture, but wildfire hazard remains high. Most of the week was cool and overcast, with light, scattered showers. Producers will begin corn planting in a few weeks if field conditions permit. Pastures were in fair condition, but hay feeding remained active.

SOUTHWEST: The region remained very dry, aggravated by high winds with 20-40 mph gusts. Winds sand-blasted winter vegetables, especially young, recently planted potatoes, cabbage and spinach. Dry vegetation and high winds have increased the incidence of roadside wildfires. Farmers were irrigating heavily. The cabbage and spinach harvest continued. Onions and carrots are growing slowly due to recent cold nights. Potato planting continued. Forage availability was below average. Ranchers provided heavy supplemental nutrition to livestock.

WEST CENTRAL: Extremely dry and very windy conditions continued, with mild daytime temperatures and cool nights. Several wild fires were reported, and dry conditions kept the risk of more high. The cotton harvest continued with good yields. Wheat was in very poor condition from lack of moisture. Most stands have been lost. Pastures and other small grain crops were also suffering, leaving no winter grass or weeds. Producers continued to increase supplemental feeding of livestock.