Rain is needed, and grain sorghum yields will be low,
according to a
Texas
Cooperative Extension
expert."This has not
been a very friendly year for sorghum," said Jose Pena,
Extension economist in Uvalde. "We've had a very dry spring,
summer and early fall."
The crop's saving graces were rains last winter and in the
early spring, Pena said.
"We've only had one-third of our regular rainfall (in South
Texas)," he said.
While sorghum is grown across the state, 80 percent of the
state's crop is produced in South Texas and the South
Plains, Pena said.
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service,
Cameron, Hidalgo, Nueces, San Patricio and Willacy counties
account for almost 600,000 of the nearly 2 million acres
planted in the state.
Jeff Dahlberg, research director of the National Grain
Sorghum Producers in Lubbock, said production in the South
Plains is also down from last year.
"For the state, we're looking at a slight reduction in
yield," he said.
"Last year was 62 (bushels per acre), but we had really good
weather here last year. This year they're predicting 56
bushel per acre, so it's down six bushels."
The decrease was not greatly significant because of last
year's record rainfall, Dahlberg said.
"It didn't rain as much (this year). Around this region last
year, the Lubbock area had 38 inches of rain, or something
like that," he said. "It was the second highest on record."
Some parts of the state have already started to harvest.
Producers in the South Plains will begin in three or four
weeks, Dahlberg said.
The following livestock, crop and weather conditions were
reported by Extension districts:
PANHANDLE: Soil moisture is short to adequate.
Temperatures were slightly above average, with isolated
thunderstorms. Corn was 95 percent dented. Cotton is fair to
good, as bolls continued to open. Bollworms and armyworms
were reported. About 95 percent of sorghum had headed, and
39 percent had begun to color. Headworms were reported.
Sorghum silage harvest continued. Soybeans were fair to
good, and wheat was 45 percent planted. Rangeland conditions
were fair; cattle were in good condition. However, flies
were reported to be a problem among livestock.
SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture is short to adequate.
Warm temperatures were reported. Cotton crop progressed
well. Corn harvest began in some areas, and producers
continued to plant winter wheat. Pumpkin harvest continued.
Producers began harvesting the peanut crop. Pastures and
rangelands were in fair to good condition. With little
forage available, cattle were given supplemental feed.
ROLLING PLAINS: Soil moisture is adequate. Scattered
showers and thunderstorms improved conditions, and hail
damaged cotton stalks in some counties. Wheat planting
began. Cattle were given supplemental feed.
Livestock were in good condition. Heavy rainfall filled
stock tanks in many areas. Hay and alfalfa were baled.
Pasture and rangelands were in fair to good condition.
Livestock producers began weaning spring-born yearlings.
NORTH: Soil moisture is very short to short. Hot, dry
conditions persisted. Corn and sorghum harvests were almost
complete. Rice harvest began. Producers started to plant
wheat and oats. Pasture conditions were poor, and some
producers were giving supplemental feed to livestock. Stock
water was low, and producers were planning to sell part of
their herds.
EAST TEXAS: Soil moisture is very short. Fall pea
crops were lost due to lack of rain. Stock ponds and creeks
were drying up. Forages were very short, and cattle were
given supplemental feed. Burn bans were in effect.
FAR WEST: Soil moisture is short to adequate.
Moderate temperatures and scattered showers were reported.
Farmers prepared fields for wheat planting. Rangelands and
pastures were in poor to good condition, and livestock
remained in good condition.
WEST CENTRAL: Soil moisture is short. Warm
temperatures persisted; a few light showers fell. Cotton
continued to look good, but bollworms, armyworms and beet
armyworms were reported. Producers cut and baled hay.
Preparation was under way for planting wheat and harvesting
pecans.
Pastures and rangelands were still very dry. Livestock
conditions are fair to good, but some producers were hauling
water.
CENTRAL: Soil moisture is very short. Lack of rain
slowed work. Cotton yields were good. Most producers were
waiting for moist conditions before planting small grains
and winter pastures. Pecan weevils and shuckworms were
reported.
SOUTHEAST: Soil moisture is very short. Scattered
showers were reported. Many trees were lost because of dry
conditions. Hay harvest slowed and pasture conditions were
poor. Peanuts were in good condition.
Soybeans need rain. Ratoon rice crop looked good, and the
main rice crop was harvested. Armyworms were reported.
Winter food plots for wildlife were being prepared.
SOUTHWEST: Soil moisture is very short to short. Hot,
dry conditions were reported. Peanuts, cabbage, carrots,
spinach and other fall vegetables were progressing well
under heavy irrigation. Cotton was nearly harvested, with
half stored in field modules. Irrigated cotton yields were
high. Forage availability was below average; winter forage
production is expected to be lower than needed to maintain
livestock stocking rates.
COASTAL BEND: Soil moisture is adequate. Scattered
showers caused some delay in field work. Oats and wheat were
planted. Hay was cut and baled.
Pasture conditions have improved with significant rainfall.
SOUTH: Soil moisture is short to adequate. Recent
rains improved conditions. Producers irrigated sugarcane
fields. Corn and soybean crops progressed well. Cotton
fields were reported free of pests after light showers. Fall
vegetable planting began; rainfall improved pastures and
rangelands.