Wet weather halts row crop harvest (Texas)

A cold front hit the state during the week ending Sept. 23, bringing between 2 and 8 inches of rain to the Blacklands, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Southern Plains Regional Field Office, Texas. Precipitation in the rest of the state ranged from trace amounts up to 3 inches, with isolated areas in the Cross Timbers, East Texas, South East Texas and the Edwards Plateau getting upwards of 5 inches. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

Winter wheat seeding continued in the Low Plains, while wheat producers in the Cross Timbers were waiting for dryer conditions to start seeding. Torrential rains in the Blacklands may necessitate re-seeding of small grain fields in areas with the highest impact from the heavy rainfall.

Cotton bolls were opening in the Northern High Plains and defoliation was taking place in the Southern Low Plains. Wet weather halted row crops harvest in many areas of the state. Headworm populations were nearing critical levels in sorghum fields in areas of the Northern High Plains.