Heavy rains delay cotton harvest

Temperatures across the state remained relatively cool for the week ending Sept. 16, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas. Precipitation across the Gulf Coast ranged between 5 and 10 inches. The rest of the state received between 0.5 and 3 inches of rain, with exception of the Trans-Pecos and the Plains, where only traces amounts of rain were reported. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork.

Some winter wheat fields in the Northern High Plains began to sprout. Small grain seedings continued in the Southern Low Plains, the Cross Timbers, the Blacklands and South Texas.

Producers in areas affected by the previous week’s heavy rains were waiting for their fields to dry to start harvesting cotton. Many fields had been defoliated prior to the rain, which may cause a decrease in cotton quality. Corn harvest began in the Northern High Plains and soybean harvest was expected to start soon.

Pecans were maturing in the Southern High Plains and the Edwards Plateau, but insects were affecting the crop in the Trans-Pecos. Producers in South Texas were waiting for more favorable conditions to continue planting spinach and cabbage.