From: Heath Lusty [mailto:rhlusty@ag.tamu.edu] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 9:07 AM
To: Heath Lusty
Subject: Texas crop, weather

Texas crop, weather
Agronomist: Panhandle wheat growers always like a good snow

February 02, 2010

Writer(s):
Robert Burns, 903-834-6191,rd-burns@tamu.edu 

COLLEGE STATION - - What's being billed in the Panhandle as the worst
winter storm in 10 years might have been bad for drivers, but it was
nothing but good news for wheat growers, according to a Texas AgriLife
Extension Service ( http://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/ ) expert.

"Our wheat crop was getting very dry; we've been dry for about the
last three months," said Dr. Brent Bean, (
http://amarillo.tamu.edu/people/bean/index.php ) AgriLife Extension
agronomist based at Amarillo ( http://amarillo.tamu.edu/ ).

The blizzard brought from 10 to 12 inches of snow in some areas, Bean
said, which translates to about 2 inches of moisture. Some parts of the
Panhandle didn't get as much snow, but got some rain beforehand.  But
moisture in any form this time of the year is a good thing, he said.

"The moisture should really help the wheat crop get going," Bean
said. "It's going to be breaking dormancy in about a month."  Bean
noted that in a few weeks, the immature head of the wheat will start
developing, and the moisture at that time is critical for future
development. Also, the snow and rain will raise soil moisture levels,
which will be needed when spring planting starts around the first of
April.
"We always like a good snow," Bean said.

The low temperatures and wet conditions stressed livestock, but having
been given ample warning of the impending storm, most producers had
stocked up on feed, and losses were minimal, according to AgriLife
Extension reports.

"Roads, schools and most scheduled events were canceled and basically
shut everything down for two days during what weather forecasters are
calling the worst winter storm in 10 years," said J.D. Ragland,
AgriLife Extension agent in Randall County ( http://randall-tx.tamu.edu/
), south of Amarillo. "In some cases electricity was off for several
hours with cattle escaping electric fencing and scattering for several
miles. Some cattle death losses took place also but not to any
significant numbers." 

The following summaries were compiled by AgriLife Extension district
reporters:

CENTRAL:  ( http://stephenville.tamu.edu/~TAEX/ )Most areas received
significant rainfall with some experiencing freezing temperatures,
freezing rain and some snow. Producers continued to provide supplemental
feed to livestock. Sunshine and warmer temperatures were needed for
small-grain growth. Some farmers were not able to get in and prepare
fields for spring planting due to wet conditions.

COASTAL BEND:  ( http://agfacts.tamu.edu/ )Warmer temperatures and some
sunshine encouraged growth of cool-season grasses. Wheat, oats and
winter rye were doing well. However, a cold front at the end of the
reporting period brought rain, further delaying row-crop planting.
Farmers began to aerially apply weed herbicides. Volunteer clover and
vetch were also doing well. The condition of some cattle was dropping
due to low-quality hay and lack of supplemental feed, while others were
doing well. Vineyard managers were pruning vines.

EAST:  ( http://overton.tamu.edu/ )Parts of the region received as much
as 2.5 inches of rain. Cold, rainy conditions were the rule. Winter
forages were hit hard by the freezing temperatures and made slow
progress. Soggy pastures prevented producers from applying fertilizer.
Producers were still feeding existing hay stocks but were looking to
purchase new supplies too. Calving season began. Livestock were in fair
to good condition with producers providing supplemental feed. Feral hogs
continued to cause damage.

FAR WEST:  ( http://ftstockton.tamu.edu/ )Wind and mild temperatures
were followed by up to 1 inch of rain and as much as 3 inches of snow.
Some winds were in excess of 50 mph. The much needed moisture was
expected to aid wheat, oats, barley and pastures. However, rangeland
conditions continued to decline.

NORTH:  ( http://dallas.tamu.edu/ )Soil moisture was adequate to
surplus. Conditions remained too wet for farmers to prepare fields for
planting. Pastures were saturated and flooded by excessive rain. Small
grains and winter pastures greened up, but the cold weather took its
toll on cattle. Livestock producers continued to supply large amounts of
supplemental feed, while they worried about dropping hay stocks. Some
producers were able to get calves out of the pastures and ready to sell
despite the muddy conditions. Dairy cows were suffering from the wet
conditions.

PANHANDLE:  ( http://amarillo.tamu.edu/ )The region received from 8
inches to 12 inches of snow. Some areas received freezing rain first,
followed by snow. Highways were closed for most of Thursday and part of
Friday. Early reports indicated that the moisture from snow and ice was
equivalent to 1 inch to 2 inches of rain. Producers hoped the moisture
will improve wheat and rangeland. Few cattle deaths were reported at
this time, but thanks to weather forecasts, most producers were able to
stock up on cattle feed.

SOUTH:  ( http://southtexas.tamu.edu/ )Warm temperatures and lots of
sunshine were followed by cool temperatures and spotty showers. Most of
the region still had adequate soil moisture except for western parts
where soil moisture conditions were 100 percent short. Potato planting
continued in the northern part of the region throughout the week. In the
eastern part of the region, early planted wheat and oats were in fair to
good condition. Some sunflower and corn producers were planning to start
planting soon. Dryland wheat and oat fields benefited from the light
showers, but needed more rain. Growers resumed cabbage harvesting as
soon as fields dried out enough. Spinach, carrots and onions were doing
well following irrigation. Because of the cold and wet weather, beef
producers were supplying large amounts of supplemental feed. Also,
cattle's nutritional demands were high as it was the calving season.
Rangeland and pastures were in good to fair condition.

SOUTH PLAINS:  ( http://lubbock.tamu.edu/ )Another winter storm came,
bringing from 0.5 inch to 1.5 inches of rain, followed by approximately
3 inches of snow. High winds and ice caused a great amount of damage to
trees and shrubs. Soil moisture was short to adequate. The rain and snow
put a stop to field work. Wheat was in fair to good condition. Pastures
and rangeland were in fair to good condition. Extremely cold
temperatures along with wet conditions and high winds stressed
livestock, and in response, producers increased supplemental feeding.

SOUTHEAST:  ( http://bryan.tamu.edu/ )Cold weather stopped the growth
of winter annual grasses. Clover needed warmer weather to grow.
Livestock were consuming large amounts of hay, and producers were
searching for more. What clover and other cool-season grasses were
present were grazed down except where producers used proper pasture
rotation and stocking rates.

SOUTHWEST:  ( http://uvalde.tamu.edu/ )Twice the long-term average
rainfall in January further improved the agricultural outlook. The cold
weather was expected to reduce insect pressure, conserve moisture and
make early spring planting possible. Wheat, oats and winter vegetables
were making excellent progress, and the harvesting of spinach, cabbage,
carrots and lettuce continued. Planting of potatoes was ongoing.
Ranchers were busy as it was the calving, lambing and kidding season.

WEST CENTRAL:  ( http://sanangelo.tamu.edu/ )A mix of rain, sleet and
some snow returned. Soil moisture was good, but there was only limited
field activity due to wet conditions. Wheat and oat crops were doing
well. Rangeland and pastures improved thanks to the added moisture. Beef
producers continued to increase supplemental feeding of livestock. They
were also actively shipping cattle and culling herds.


Heath Lusty
Jack County Extension Agent
Agriculture & Natural Resources
940-567-2132 office
817-584-6628 cell