Hot, dry conditions persist

Hot, dry conditions persisted across many areas of the state for the week ending July 29, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas. Areas of the High Plains and the Northern Low Plains reported precipitation ranging between 0.5 and 1.0 inch, with isolated areas getting upwards of 3 inches. The rest of the state reported little to no precipitation. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork.

Cotton was blooming in the Southern Low Plains, but showed drought related stress. Aphids and beet armyworms were reported in cotton in the Southern High Plains. Cotton harvest was underway in areas of the Coastal Bend and South Texas. Spider mites were reported in corn and sorghum in the Southern High Plains. Corn, sorghum and sunflowers were being harvested in the Cross Timbers, although some corn was being baled for cattle feed. Corn and sorghum harvest continued in East Texas, and South Central Texas, while nearing completion in the Coastal Bend, the Upper Coast and South Texas.

Watermelon harvest slowed down in the Southern High Plains and North East Texas. The peach harvest was coming to an end in North East Texas. Pecan nut casebearer populations were increasing in the Trans-Pecos.