Wheat harvest continues

USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas The week was mostly hot and dry across the state. Precipitation ranged from trace amounts to 1.5 inches in the Tans-Pecos, the Southern Plains and areas of the Upper Coast, South Central Texas and the Cross Timbers. Isolated areas received upwards of 2 inches of rain. No measurable rainfall was reported in the rest of the state. There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork.

Wheat harvest continued in the Low Plains, the Cross Timbers, the Blacklands and South Central Texas. Hot temperatures were rapidly ripening wheat in the Northern High Plains and the Edwards Plateau. Oats harvest was in full swing in the Blacklands.

Cotton planting was underway in the Plains. Producers were trying to get their cotton planted before the June 5 insurance deadline. However, without moisture, emergence of dryland cotton will be delayed in the High Plains. Cotton irrigation was active where available. Hot weather in the Upper Coast increased populations of spider mites and fleahoppers in cotton. Crops in the Blacklands, East Texas, South Central Texas and the Upper Coast were in need of moisture. Peanuts continued to be planted in South Texas. Sorghum made good progress in South Texas. Sorghum and Sunflower harvest was expected to start soon in the Lower Valley.