Texas cotton producers are optimistic despite inclement weather, insect problems and high fuel prices, and anthrax in livestock and deer was reported in one county in Southwest Texas, Texas Cooperative Extension experts said.

"We believe that we are off to a pretty good start this year," said Dr. Randal Boman, Extension agronomist in Lubbock. "We have lost upwards of around 400,000 acres due to weather events (hail, high rainfall, wind, and blowing sand). We have estimated that our growers probably replanted cotton in lost fields in up to 200,000 acres. We are looking at around 3.4 million or so standing acres at this time. If we get some timely rainfall, we should have a shot at a very good crop overall."

Dr. Travis Miller, Extension agronomist in College Station, said, "The rain, hail and high winds in the High Plains have destroyed a great deal of the South Plains crop. Much of this will be replanted to sorghum and sunflowers."
High Plains producers are confident because the year started out with excellent subsoil moisture and most of the irrigated cotton was planted on time, Boman said.

"Pretty much all irrigated cotton in the Plains was planted in a timely manner, and we had some late planted dryland cotton due to lack of moisture in the upper profile," he said. "After early June rainfall, we got all of the dryland crop established."

South and East Texas crops have not fared as well as their northern counterparts.

"In the eastern and southern growing regions, rainfall in April was about 30 percent of normal, May (rainfall was) about 50 percent of normal, and many areas received no rainfall during June," said Dr. Robert Lemon, Extension agronomist in College Station.

"In addition, many areas have not had measurable precipitation for over 40 to 50 days. Consequently, dryland cotton yields will be negatively affected by the extremely dry conditions. Irrigated cotton looks good, with growers continuing to apply water."

"We have had very droughty conditions in most of the South Texas cotton crop," Miller said. "This dry weather is resulting in early maturity and low yield potential. Much of the dryland crop in the Rio Grande Valley and adjoining counties will be either abandoned or will have very low yields due to drought. Drought in South, Central and East Texas will also reduce cotton yield on the eastern part of the state."

Producers across the state are battling insect problems.

"In general, much of the state is seeing real benefits from the boll weevil eradication program and the availability of transgenic Bt cotton varieties," Miller said. "What were previously minor pests are causing much more problems than we have seen in the past."

The High Plains were battling thrips, pink bollworm moths and root knot nematodes, Boman said.

"Thrips were a major problem on May-planted cotton in many areas," he said. We have had considerable pink bollworm moths trapped in some counties southwest of Lubbock. We have also had a very tough root knot nematode year thus far."

Other factors are pressuring cotton producers, Boman said.

"Fuel prices are affecting producers' pocketbooks and apparently irrigation expenses will be very high this year," he said. "If we get timely rainfall, that will help out."

John Robinson, Extension economist in College Station, said the price of fuel helped create a slight decrease in Texas' planted cotton acres.

"The realistic reason (for the decrease) is because of the expense of growing cotton, seed costs and fuel costs," he said.

The Texas Agricultural Statistics Service indicated that 5.8 million acres were planted in Texas in 2005, Miller said. That is about 99 percent of the 5.85 million acres planted in 2004.

The decrease shouldn't have an effect on Texas economics, Robinson said. Cotton prices didn't move when a similar U.S. Department of Agriculture survey was released.

The Rio Grande Valley Crop will begin harvest in the very near future, with cotton bolls cracking open as far north as San Patricio County, Miller said. Boman said harvest in the High Plains should begin in late September.
Anthrax deaths in livestock and wildlife had been reported in Sutton County, said Pascual Hernandez, Extension agent.

This outbreak seems a little more severe than normal, with more than 20 cattle, 12 horses, and 100 deer reported dead by a local veterinarian.

The triangle of Kinney, Edwards and Val Verde counties typically has outbreaks during the summer, and Uvalde County periodically reports cases. Anthrax has been found in other parts of the state, but Sutton County has not had a case in 20 years, Hernandez said.

Anthrax outbreaks seem to occur after a rainy season followed by a dry season. Spores can lie dormant in soil for decades and this combination of weather and soil conditions activates them to become viability. Activity will remain throughout the hot summer, but as the weather cools off in the fall, it will bring the outbreak to a close, Hernandez said.

PANHANDLE: Soil moisture is mostly short to adequate. High temperatures and isolated thunderstorms with light rain were reported. Corn is rated fair to excellent with most areas reporting good. The southwestern and European corn borers are active. Cotton continues to improve under the hot and dry conditions. Most stands are rated fair to good. The only pest reported for cotton is the cotton fleahopper. Sorghum planting is coming to a close; stands are rated mostly fair to good. Soybeans are in good condition. Wheat harvest is 90 percent complete. Rangeland conditions continue to be in fair to good, but have declined as a result of hot and dry weather. Cattle are in good body condition; horn flies remain a major pest.

SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture is short. Weather remains hot and dry. Light isolated rain showers were received in some areas, but amounts were not significant. Irrigation has begun in many fields. Cotton is in fair to good condition and continues to make good progress. Corn is in good condition; fields are beginning to tassel. Wheat harvest is almost complete. Peanuts are in good condition. Peanuts are being irrigated. Sorghum and sunflowers are progressing well. Pumpkins have started to grow rapidly. Pasture and rangeland are in fair to good condition. Pastures are beginning to show signs of stress as mature grasses dry out. Cattle condition is good but will begin to decrease if range conditions are not improved.

ROLLING PLAINS: Soil moisture is short. The region continues to be hot and dry. Range conditions are deteriorating. Cotton is in good condition. The wheat and oat harvest is almost complete. Alfalfa hay is being baled and sales are good for quality hay. Cattle condition remains good. Pastures need rain. Native grasses are burning out fast due to the dry conditions. Springs have stopped running in Childress County. Some growers are considering baling their corn crop in Wise County. Peaches are being harvested.

NORTH: Soil moisture is very short to short. Cotton, peanuts and rice are in poor to fair condition. Pasture and rangelands are in very poor to good condition. All crops need rain. Conditions are very dry. Fire hazard is high. Some farmers are considering cutting corn for silage and baling soybeans for hay.

EAST TEXAS: Soil moisture is short. Forage conditions are declining due to drought. Hay production has drastically slowed in some areas. Most of the district is under a burn ban. All vegetable crops are suffering from lack of rain. The watermelon harvest is under way; good yields and prices are reported. Cattle remain in good condition; prices remain steady. Many producers are starting to cull their herds early due to drought. Reports of increased grasshopper and horn fly activity have been received.

FAR WEST: Soil moisture is short. The region is hot and dry. Rain is needed. Most areas are reporting significant wind. Livestock conditions remain good.

WEST CENTRAL: Extreme hot conditions continued this week. Temperatures ranged to as high as 100 F and above with no moisture and low humidity. Burn bans have been posted in many counties. Cotton is up and ranges in growth from cotyledon to match head square stage. Grain sorghum ranges from boot to soft dough stage. Few insects are reported. Fields need rain before any further plowing and preparation can occur. Hay baling and wheat harvest is slowing down significantly. Many pastures and hay fields are heat dormant. Range and pasture conditions are declining due to drought conditions. Pastures are turning brown and more supplemental feed is being fed to livestock. Livestock remain in fair to good condition. Pecan orchard irrigation is in full swing and continues to be a priority.

CENTRAL: Soil moisture is short. Range and pastures have declined. Some hay fields are being cut for the first time; yields are low and the grass is not growing after being cut. Corn silage harvest began this week. Dryland corn is burning faster than it can be harvested. Yields are average to below average in dryland fields, above average for irrigated land. Pecan trees are being attacked by fall webworms and aphids.

SOUTHEAST: Soil moisture is short. Hot dry conditions continue. Pastures are very dry, which is beneficial for haying but bad for quality and yield. Corn is drying down very quickly. Soybeans and cotton need rain. Peanut planting has stopped due to dry conditions. Cattle prices remain strong, but it may change as calves are being weaned and sent to markets. Watermelons are being harvested at high yields and quality.

SOUTHWEST: Soil moisture is short. Hot and dry conditions continue. June was the top 10 driest Junes on record with less than one-half inch of rain reported. The April-June period with only 2.44 inches of rain was the fourth driest on record. Weekend mid-afternoon temperatures of more than 100 F with high southerly winds have aggravated the dry spell. Pastures and ranges entered mid-summer dormancy almost one month ahead of the typical period. Yard grasses are brown. Corn has dried down; harvest should begin soon. Cotton, peanuts and some vegetables are making good progress under heavy irrigation. The peach harvest continues. Onion and potato harvests are complete. Pecan trees have a good crop, but without rain numbers will go down.

COASTAL BEND: Soil moisture is short. Hot and dry weather has reduced the yield potential in some crops. Cotton is showing signs of stress. Corn yields will be reduced. Grain sorghum harvests are increasing. Sunflower harvest continues. Pasture conditions are beginning to get severe. Cattle are in fair to good condition. Livestock are being fed supplements due to lack of forage. Hay cutting continues.

SOUTH: Soil moisture is short. Some areas received light rain, but most of the district continues to be very dry. The sorghum harvest is very active this week as ideal harvest weather prevails. The corn harvest is also under way. Cotton is making rapid growth. Range pastures are very dry. Supplemental feeding continues.