News section

home  |  news  |  forum  |  job market  |  calendar  |  yellow pages  |  advertise on SeedQuest  |  contact us 

 

Texas crop report: corn
College Station, Texas
April 19, 2005

The nation's corn acreage is on the rise, due in part to the Texas' increase in planted corn, a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist reports.

Dr. Juerg Blumenthal of College Station, state sorghum and cropping systems specialist, said, "The state of Texas has one of the largest increases in acres of feed grains this year.

"Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates total corn planting will go up approximately 1 percent. Here in Texas, I expect it to go up more than that."

Texas is expected to plant about 1.95 million acres of corn – about 7 percent more than last year. Sorghum planting in the state has also increased to 2.5 million acres, 13 percent more than last year, he said.

While feed grain acres have increased, cotton – normally "king" in Texas – has slightly decreased. "Cotton acres have gone down 3 percent, dropping to 5.7 million acres from 5.85 million last year," Blumenthal said. "That's about 150,000 less acres of cotton, and more acres planted in feed grains."

Blumenthal believes the increase in feed grains and decrease in cotton can be explained by economics.
"Farmers perceive that they can produce feed grains more profitably than cotton this year," he said. "It costs more money to grow cotton than corn."

Jose Pena, Extension economist in Uvalde, said the switch from cotton to corn has many factors, including soil moisture "captured" over the winter, problems harvesting the previous cotton crop, rising fuel costs, and market price.

"Producers decided what they were going to plant back in December, and at that time corn looked a little better than cotton," he said.

Statewide rains recently caused concern that corn could not be planted, but Blumenthal said most planting deadlines were met "a bit late."

East of Interstate 35, corn planting begins as early as Jan. 15 in the Rio Grande Valley, and it ends as late as April 5 in the Dallas area. In the Panhandle, planting begins April 25 and ends May 15.

"Late planting in corn significantly increases production risks due to the potential for hot, dry weather at the time the crop pollinates," said Dr. Travis Miller of College Station, Extension statewide agronomist.

With Texas' corn season just starting, Miller said it is too early to predict the outcome.

Blumenthal said with adequate soil moisture, Texas corn should grow well.

Bob Robinson, Extension director in Amarillo, said few corn fields have been planted in the Panhandle.
"Soils that are too wet and too cool, combined with high energy prices, have slowed corn planting," he said.
Corn is planted later in the Panhandle because that area has cool weather longer, Blumenthal said.

"It's not a problem," he said. "Preparation is in full swing, and this is the proper time to plant."

The following livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by Extension districts

PANHANDLE: Soil moisture is short to adequate. Temperatures were cool but warmed to normal by the end of the week. A light rain was reported. High winds continue to dry soil surfaces. Wet and cold soils are slowing corn planting. Only a few fields have been planted. Wheat continues to rated mostly good to excellent but needs rain. Rangeland conditions are fair to good. Cattle are in fair to good condition. Some horn fly problems have been reported.

SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture is short to adequate. Field conditions are dry. Pre-watering has started. Land preparation continues and producers are finalizing planting decisions. Corn planting should begin next week. Winter wheat is in good condition and maturing rapidly. Rust is apparent in some wheat fields. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition; rainfall is needed. Cattle are in good condition; limited supplemental feeding continues.

ROLLING PLAINS: Soil moisture is short. The district needs rain. Warm days, cool nights and drying winds were reported. Cotton and peanut farmers are preparing fields. Herbicides and fertilizer are being applied. Some fields are being pre-watered. Some wheat and alfalfa fields are being used for hay. Numerous wheat fields continue to be grazed. Cool night temperatures have slowed summer grass growth. Cattle are in good body condition. Spring branding continues. As temperatures warm, fly control will be necessary. Supplemental feeding is being reduced. Horse breeding continues. Sheep and goat breeders have finished lambing and kidding.

NORTH: Soil moisture is adequate. Small grains are being planted. Most corn has been planted. Pastures are in good shape. Some rain was reported.

EAST TEXAS: Soil moisture is adequate. In drier parts of the district vegetable crops are being planted. Watermelons are making good growth with warmer temperatures. Pastures are green and in good shape. High fertilizer costs have been reported. Cattle are in good body condition; producers continue to de-worm and vaccinate their herds. The cattle market continues to be strong.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture is short to adequate. Moderate to high winds were reported. Pastures, rangelands and livestock were rated fair to good. About one quarter of the cotton has been planted. Producers prepared for another season but are still waiting on moisture. Winter wheat was rated fair to good and 100 percent emerged and headed. Sorghum was 90 percent planted. Mesquite and pecan trees began to bloom.

WEST CENTRAL: Soil moisture is short to adequate. High winds have dried out soil moisture; rain is needed. Field preparation continues. Some fertilizer applications to small grain fields are reported. Sorghum planting is in full swing after being postponed by wet conditions. Small grains are being grazed out or baled for hay. Hay fields are being prepared for sowing. Range and pasture growth is excellent. Native grasses are green and in good supply. Winter weeds and cool season grasses are beginning to die off. Livestock are in good condition. Spring cattle work continues. Pecan and mesquite trees are leafing out. Fruit trees are in full bloom.

CENTRAL: Soil moisture is adequate. Fields are need moisture. Crops are in good condition. Corn is actively growing. Livestock sale numbers are down, but prices are up. Most of the early melons have been planted. Cotton planting is under way. Feral hogs are beginning to be a problem in milo and corn fields.

SOUTHEAST: Soil moisture is adequate. Temperatures remain moderate. Some rain was recorded earlier in the week. The sun is warming the soil. A variety of foliage-feeding worms are present but aren't causing excessive damage. Winter annuals are in the middle of seed production. Fertilizer is being applied to pastures and lawns. Pecan trees are developing leaves. Fruit set is heavy in peaches. Flies are becoming a problem on livestock. Some cotton planting has been postponed due to dry conditions. Rice planting in Liberty County is almost complete.

SOUTHWEST: Soil moisture is short. Cool nights and mild days are helping to conserve moisture. High winds are affecting soil, grass and recently planted crops. Forage availability remains above average. Pasture and rangeland are starting to show stress from dry conditions. Wheat and oats are making good progress under heavy irrigation. Pecans and peaches are not making good progress. The cabbage harvest continues. The potato harvest has started.

COASTAL BEND: Soil moisture is adequate. Windy conditions were reported. Planting continues. No rain fell.

SOUTH: Soil moisture is short. Spring row crops, rangelands and pastures showed signs of drought stress. Row crops were irrigated. Sugarcane harvest ended. Citrus, greens, cabbage, carrot, and onion harvest continued.

News release

Other news from this source

12,029

Back to main news page

The news release or news item on this page is copyright © 2005 by the organization where it originated.
The content of the SeedQuest website is copyright © 1992-2005 by SeedQuest - All rights reserved
Fair Use Notice