Thunderstorms bring much-needed precipitation

Weather conditions were mostly dry and warm through the early part of the week ending May 20; however, thunderstorms arrived late week, bringing much needed precipitation, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas. Most of the state received between 0.2 and 1.5 inches of rain. Areas of South Central Texas, the Edwards Plateau, the Cross Timbers, the Upper Coast and Low Plains averaged between 2 and 3 inches of rain, with isolated areas getting upwards of 5 inches. However, the Trans-Pecos received little to no precipitation during the week. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat in the Northern High Plains was being cut for hay or grazed. In some areas of the Northern Plains, producers are hoping to salvage enough of the wheat crop for use as next year’s seed. Producers in the Blacklands and the Edwards Plateau had begun harvesting wheat, while wheat and oats harvest continued in South and South Central Texas.

Corn and cotton planting continued in the High Plains. Cotton was irrigated in the Upper Coast, South Texas and the Lower Valley. Wireworms became a concern in early emerged cotton and corn fields in the Southern High Plains. Corn and sorghum continued to progress in the Blacklands. Corn in South Central Texas was starting to tassel, but was also showing signs of stress due to lack of moisture.