Texas spinach producers fought adverse weather for planting this year, and the crop is progressing well, said a Texas Cooperative Extension expert.

Jose Pena, Extension economist in Uvalde, said planting in the Southwest Wintergarden region was postponed because of unfavorable weather, but other factors made up for spinach yield and quality.

"Some spinach was planted early, but the bulk of the crop was delayed by the September heat wave, and (then) by wet fields from major rainfall during early October," he said.

Most of the crop was planted by mid-October and made excellent progress under heavy irrigation, Pena said. Late planting helped reduce the threat of disease and pests.

Dr. Larry Stein, Extension horticulturist in Uvalde, said once the crop was planted, conditions were ideal for spinach growth.

"(It was) dry and cool," he said. "The quality of the crop will be outstanding if these conditions persist."

Though harvest will be delayed because planting was late, Pena said market demand remains strong for spinach and producers are looking forward to another successful year.

"Opening market prices are good, probably as a result of reduced green vegetable supplies from the residual effects of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita," he said.

Many spinach producers will benefit from high market prices because yields are expected to be above average and of excellent quality, Pena said.

The Wintergarden region produces almost 90 percent of the state's crop.

Texas ranks second to California in U.S. spinach production, according to the National Agriculture Statistics Service.

Baby leaf spinach, first introduced to Texas last year, is favored by customers and normally sells at a higher price than other varieties, Pena said. It is progressing well in the Wintergarden region and the Rio Grande Valley.
Stein said harvest not yet begun will hopefully commence before unfavorable weather conditions set in this winter.

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

PANHANDLE: Soil moisture is very short. Below-average temperatures and snow were reported. High winds caused soil erosion. Dry conditions allowed cotton harvest to make rapid progress. Gins operated around the clock. Yield reports were good-to-excellent. A few sorghum fields remained to be harvested. Sunflower and soybean harvests were complete. Soybean yields were fair to good, while sunflower yields were poor to fair. Wheat condition declined due to dry conditions. Wheat streak mosaic virus and High Plains virus were diagnosed in some area fields. Rangelands were rated poor to fair. Fire danger was high. Cattle were in good condition; supplemental feeding continued.

SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture is short. Winds and blowing dust hampered cotton harvest. Cotton harvest was 90 percent complete; above-average yields and grades were reported. Winter wheat was in fair-to-good condition. Irrigated fields looked good, but dryland fields were extremely dry. Sorghum and peanut harvest was complete. Pastures and rangelands were in fair condition. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued.

ROLLING PLAINS: Soil moisture is very short. High winds and rangeland fires were reported. Small grain fields needed rain. Farmers were stripping cotton; yields were good. Livestock were in good condition; some supplemental feeding was done. Native perennial grasses were dormant and some winter annuals were lost. Winter Texas grasses were dormant due to lack of moisture. Pecans were harvested. Stock tanks were extremely low.

NORTH: Soil moisture is very short to short. Wheat was rated very poor to fair. Pastures and rangelands were in very poor-to-poor condition.
Cotton harvest was complete. Oats were 60 percent planted. Pecans were 10 percent harvested. Sorghum harvest was complete. Livestock were fed supplements. No winter grazing was available. Hay prices rose.

EAST: Soil moisture is short. Dry conditions were reported. Winter pastures were struggling to survive. Some ryegrass and late-maturing clovers were planted. The hay shortage was severe in much of the district.
Producers fed protein and energy supplements. Many producers culled or sold entire herds. Cattle remained in good condition.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture is very short to adequate. High winds halted harvests. Pastures, rangelands and livestock were rated poor to good. Cotton was 50 percent harvested. Winter wheat was emerged and in poor-to-fair condition. Pecans were 15 percent harvested.

WEST CENTRAL: Soil moisture is short. High winds and cold nights were reported. Small grain conditions were poor; some wheat was lost because of dry soil. Pecan harvest continued. Cotton harvest slowed due to wind, but soon continued; yields were good. Rangelands and pastures were in very poor condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock increased.

CENTRAL: Soil moisture is very short. Continued drought conditions, fire damage and high winds were reported. Winter grasses and small grain pastures were limited due to dry conditions. Many cattle were sold.

SOUTHEAST: Soil moisture is short. Light showers and unseasonably warm temperatures were reported. Producers fed hay. Some cattlemen culled cows due to shortage of grazing. Pecan yields were disappointing. Mosquitoes were reported.

SOUTHWEST: Soil moisture is very short. Forage availability was below average. Ranchers were providing heavy supplemental nutrition. Land was ready for early spring planting. Pecan harvest is complete. Fall and winter vegetables made excellent progress under heavy irrigation. Winter crops under irrigation were relatively free of disease and insect problems due to dry conditions. Peanut, cabbage, green bean, cucumber and spinach harvests continued with good yield and quality reports.

COASTAL BEND: Soil moisture is short. Cool dry fronts were reported.
Producers put out fertilizer. Canola was emerging. Pastures continued to decline; some producers culled cows. Hay was in short supply. Livestock were fed supplements. Cattle were in good condition.

SOUTH: Soil moisture is short. Dry conditions continued. Producers prepared for spring planting. Fall corn harvest is planned to begin soon.
Fall vegetable crops progressed well. Carrots and onions made good progress with adequate irrigation. Cabbage and spinach harvest continued.
Dryland wheat and oats were drought stressed. Livestock were in fair-to-good condition. Supplemental feeding increased due to poor forage availability. Pasture haying continued in preparation of winter feeding.