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Wednesday, April 30, 1997

Showers bring South Texas farmers up to date on needed moisture

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - April showers covered Texas last week, bringing some South Texas producers up-to-date on soil moisture needed for the summer, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service said Tuesday.

However, the agency said the cold temperatures that came with the rain didn't help Panhandle farmers.

Grimes County in South Texas was just starting to need rain again when it received 2.5 inches last week. Although the rain may have slowed planting of hay, it will not hurt the area's production, said Rodney Finch, Grimes County extension agent.

"We were close - about 75 to 80 percent already planted," Finch said. "The rain won't hurt us any there because so much hay was already in the ground."

Pea-size hail may have harmed a few gardens in eastern parts of the county but Finch said overall, producers welcomed precipitation as an improvement from last year.

"We are setting very good right now," Finch said. "Last summer we got less than an inch and a half total. If we keep it up around four to five inches going into summer, we'll be fine."

Southwest Texas producers also welcomed the 1.2 inches of rain they received last week. Jose Pena, extension economist in Uvalde, said last year's drought left the area behind on total precipitation going into the summer. This year, they are slightly ahead.

"The recent rainfall was welcomed and very well-received," Pena said. "It is the cold weather that is delaying everything. The highs right now are unheard of in this area."

Temperatures in Southwest Texas this time of year are usually about 65 degrees in the morning and 85 degrees in the afternoon. Pena said the temperature has been in the 50s, with a high last Sunday of 56 degrees.

"Everything is sluggishly behind," Pena said. "We were supposed to have onions to harvest, and our cantaloupes and watermelons are not vining like they should be."

The sunshine the area does receive is anything but bright, Pena said. It is a hazy sunshine, which keeps the temperatures down and hurts the crops' progression.

Cold temperatures caused rain in the west-central area of the Panhandle to turn to snow, accumulating six to 12 inches and setting records for this time of year. This late freeze has hampered growth of area crops, said Bob Robinson, district extension director in Amarillo.

"Estimates of 20 to 30 million bushels of wheat was lost as a result of freeze damage," he said. "Very little wheat is headed at this time."

Robinson added cold soil temperatures and wet conditions have delayed corn planting. Almost all sugar beets have been planted, but the stands have suffered due to hard freezes.

Soil moisture in the Panhandle improved with the precipitation, but Robinson said native grasses are set back as a result of the freeze.

Wheat crops in the Rolling Plains were severly affected by the freeze. Galen Chandler, district extension director in Vernon, said the overall damage is estimated at 25 percent.

"A wide range of damage is estimated - from zero to five to 100 percent damage," Chandler said. "The variations depended upon stage of maturity, soil moisture and field locations."

Special clinics were conducted throughout the area to determine the amount of damage done by the freeze. Chandler added most fruits and vegetables have suffered, but it is still too early to evaluate the damage done to the pecan crop.

The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district extension directors:

PANHANDLE: adequate to surplus. Range conditions good; native grass set back due to freeze. Livestock in good condition. Wheat in poor to fair condition; suffering from freeze damage. Corn planting behind due to cold wet soil temperatures.

SOUTH PLAINS: adequate. Pastures, ranges improving with rainfall; general rain of 2 to 2.5 inches fell across district last week. Grass growth slowing due to colder temperatures.

ROLLING PLAINS: surplus. Pastures, ranges improving with recent rains and warmer temperatures. Wheat damaged due to freeze; severity of damage varies with maturity, soil moisture, field locations. Fruits, vegetables damaged due to freeze.

NORTH TEXAS: adequate to surplus. Pasture growth increasing. Calving season nearly completed. Field activities ceased this week due to rain. Soybeans emerging after rains. Wheat, corn showing signs of freeze damage.

EAST TEXAS: adequate. Pastures fair; warmer temperatures needed for development. Fertilization continues where possible. Cattle condition fair to good. Vegetable planting increased; insect pressure increasing. Bumper crop of peaches.

FAR WEST TEXAS: very short to adequate. Forage is plentiful; rains have helped. Livestock conditions improving. Wheat freeze minimal. Chili plants emerging. Cutting and baling alfalfa hay. Irrigating onions and cantaloupe. Heavy freeze damage on peaches.

WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: adequate to surplus. Pastures are greening up. Livestock conditions good; lambs growing extremely well. Sorghum planting underway. Cotton field preparations continue. Some peaches lost to freeze damage. Pecans excellent start.

CENTRAL TEXAS: adequate. Winter grasses providing good grazing. Cattle gaining weight; hornfly infestations high. Pecan trees beginning to leaf out. Leaf rust infection extremely high. Farmers will resume planting when soil dries out.

SOUTHEAST TEXAS: adequate to surplus. Pastures, ranges in good condition. Heavy rains at end of the week. Cotton, sorghum, and soybean planting complete in some counties. Heavy insect infestations in gardens. Peach crop heavy.

SOUTHWEST TEXAS: short to adequate. Forage condition above average. Livestock in good condition. Corn, sorghum, cantaloupe and watermelon behind schedule. Squash fields plowed up; replant soon. Onions ready for harvest. Cotton delayed.

COASTAL BEND: adequate. Pastures continue to show good growth. Fields drying, allowing more field work. Planting activities rapidly increasing. Peach thinning taking place. Pecan trees leafing out.

SOUTH TEXAS: adequate. Excessive rainfall has improved pasture conditions. Cattle prices remain good. Planting of grain sorghum and soybeans. Cotton planting over. Corn in fair condition. Cabbage and onion harvest continues.Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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