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. |