Wheat and oats harvest begin in southern areas

Hot, dry and windy conditions prevailed across most of the state for the week ending April 29, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas. Precipitation in the Low Plains, the Cross Timbers, the Trans-Pecos, the Edwards Plateau, South Texas and South Central Texas ranged from trace amounts to 1.5 inches, with isolated areas getting upwards of 2.5 inches of rain. However soil moisture continued to be depleted due to high winds and warm temperature. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Small grains have not shown much freeze damage from the freeze experienced two weeks ago. Winter wheat in the Northern High Plains started to head. Some producers in the Low Plains and the Cross Timbers were cutting wheat for hay because of the poor crop conditions. Wheat and oats harvest started in areas of South Texas.

Producers in the Northern Low Plains were spraying fields for weeds in preparation for cotton planting, while cotton planting continued in the Blacklands and the Trans-Pecos. Pima cotton planting was winding down in the Trans-Pecos. Some farmers in the Upper Coast had to replant cotton damaged by cool weather and windy conditions. Corn in South Texas and the Coastal Bend was tasseling. Corn and sorghum in areas of the Blacklands were showing signs of wind burn. Sorghum development in the Trans-Pecos was slower than usual due to cool nighttime temperatures.

Harvest of sugarcane and citrus wound down in the Lower Valley, while harvest of vegetables continued. Cabbage and spinach harvest was active in South Texas, while other vegetables were emerging. Pecans in the Trans-Pecos were blooming and producers were applying the second irrigation. Pecan nut casebearer activity was reported in South Central Texas.