Hot, dry conditions widespread

Hot, dry conditions were reported across virtually the entire state for the week ending July 22, with most areas experiencing triple digit temperatures, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas. Only areas of the High Plains, East Texas and the Trans-Pecos reported precipitation; however, the rainfall received was generally less than half of an inch. The rest of the state reported little to no precipitation. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Cotton irrigation was active where available. Dryland cotton was struggling with the heat and lack of moisture. Boll worms were detected in North East Texas, while producers in the Upper Coast were spraying worms and stinkbugs. Cotton harvest started in the Lower Valley. Corn and sorghum harvest continued in the Blacklands, South Central Texas, the Upper Coast, South Texas and the Lower Valley. Sorghum continued to mature in the Northern Low Plains. Some sorghum and soybean fields in North East Texas failed due to the drought. Peanuts in South Texas were in the pegging stage.

Producers were irrigating pecan trees in the Edwards Plateau. Vegetable growers irrigated crops in South East Texas.