Daily News Update, Jan. 16, 2008

Texas Crop and Weather Report, 1-14-08

Agricultural Summary
Cool and continuous dry conditions continued throughout most of the state with a few scattered showers in Eastern Texas. Small grains continued to struggle due to lack of rainfall. Cotton harvest was winding down in the Panhandle.

Land preparation for corn planting was underway in the Blacklands. Pecan harvest continued in the Cross Timbers. Vegetable, citrus, and sugarcane harvest continued in the Lower Valley.

Soil moisture was mostly very short to short across the state. Very little rainfall was observed across the state. Parts of Eastern Texas recorded 0.01 to 1.0 inches of rainfall. The rest of the state observed no rainfall.

Supplemental feeding of hay continued in most areas of the state as pasture conditions continue to decline due to lack of rainfall.

Field Crops Report
Small Grains: Winter wheat continued to struggle in the High Plains and was in much need of moisture. Winter wheat pastures were producing very limited grazing in the Cross Timbers. Winter wheat was looking good in the Blacklands. Winter wheat and oats continued to suffer due to lack of moisture in the Coastal Bend and South Texas.
Cotton: Good yields were reported in the Panhandle as cotton harvest was winding down.
Corn: Land preparation for corn planting was underway in the Blacklands.

Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop Report
Pecan harvest continued in the Cross Timbers. Peach tree pruning was in progress in the Cross Timbers. Vegetable, citrus, and sugarcane harvest continued in the Lower Valley.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report
Livestock were in good shape as supplemental feeding continued due to lack of winter forage. Hay feeding and supplementation continued to increase. Ranges and Pastures continued to struggle due to lack of rainfall.

For more information, please visit the following Web sites: www.srh.noaa.gov/rfcshare/precip_analysis_new.php and www.drought.unl.edu/dm/monitor.html, or the Web site for the crop progress and condition from the NASS.