Texas cotton growers in significant production locations experienced prevalent crop losses, and more acres are most likely to be left unharvested due to bad plant advancement, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists.
The northern and southern High Plains produce most of Texas cotton. Generally, around 4.5 million acres of cotton are planted in the 2 areas. Around 60%, or 2.7 million acres are dryland while the rest have at least some watering.
Murilo Maeda,Ph D., AgriLife Extension cotton expert, Lubbock, stated dry spell conditions have actually resulted in near-total failure of both areas’ dryland acres, and dry spell and severe heat have actually put much of the areas’ irrigated fields in jeopardy of failure or desertion, particularly where irrigation capability is restricted.
A U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency report suggests practically 70% of dryland and 35% of irrigated cotton acres in those 2 areas stopped working.
However, Maeda fears the report might be conservative. Most acres were clear failures, he stated, however numerous acres produced crop stands that dry spell alone did not eliminate.
Those stands remain in bad shape production-wise and might not deserve harvesting, he stated. Many more fields might not be harvestable due to bad plant advancement due to dry spell.
“It definitely appears like it shows the truth in dryland fields, however it might really be lower than what we are seeing on the ground for the remainder of the acres,” he stated. “There’s simply not a lot out there, and a great deal of the fields still standing might not be collected. It’s quite ruthless.”
Tough growing season for Texas cotton
Emi Kimura,Ph D., AgriLife Extension cotton expert, Vernon, stated there are dryland fields in the Rolling Plains that got sufficient rain to endure, however yield capacity is extremely low.
Some irrigated fields looked good in her location, however plant advancement was likewise affected by dry spell and heat, she stated. Irrigated fields require some rains to satisfy plants’ water needs, and there was extremely little throughout the growing season.
Without wetness, plant advancement, boll count and fiber quality suffer, and severe heat can worsen issues, she stated.
Kimura stated there has actually been one favorable to the challenging dry spell conditions– low bug pressure. Producers have actually dealt with irrigated fields for insect bugs like flea hoppers one or two times compared to a number of rounds of proactive sprays, which assisted cut some input expenses.
But now, a late-season issue– weeds– are plentiful and proliferating in fields following excellent shower that provided soil wetness to the area. Kimura stated treatment will likely depend upon the yield capacity and private manufacturer’s management regimens.
“It has actually been a difficult growing season, however we hope this rain and cooler temperature levels permits some manufacturers to end the season on a high note,” she stated. “Hopefully that will bring into the wheat season and we leave to an excellent start.”
Maeda stated he frets about the local cotton facilities, consisting of gins and associated organizations, that depend upon production and processing. Cotton gins run seasonally. They normally get countless bales of cotton for processing following harvest.
The absence of cotton production might create a longer-term causal sequence if gins do not run, and other assistance organizations are unable to stand up to the losses.
“My issue is for the folks in the area who are reliant on cotton,” he stated. “A bad season will impact manufacturers, however the downstream effect to the facilities is what we’re stressed over, due to the fact that losing that kind of capability can take longer to recuperate.”
AgriLife Extension district press reporters assembled the following summaries:
CENTRAL
Western parts of the district missed out on the bulk of the current rains, however eastern locations reported 1 to 4.5 inches. Soil wetness stayed extremely brief. Overall, pastures and rangeland conditions were extremely bad however were starting to green up due to the current rain and cooler temperature levels. Improved pastures were reacting rapidly to the current wetness. Native meadows have actually been slower to react, however enhancements were kept in mind. Overgrazed pastures were still fighting with animals rapidly taking in any brand-new development. Cattle manufacturers were still supplementing with hay and were worried about the winter season forage outlook. Most stock tanks got little overflow. Livestock remained in bad to reasonable condition. Nearly 80% of cotton was collected.
ROLLING PLAINS
The district got rain and cooler temperature levels. Rainfall amounts varied from 1 inch to practically 8 inches, however many locations got several inches. Soil wetness enhanced as cloudy days and cooler temperature levels followed the storm systems. Despite the rains, stock tanks were still quite low or dry in some locations. Pastures and rangelands were greening up some. Cotton was progressing, however many fields looked second-rate. Sorghum looked reasonable with harvest nearing. Producers were preparing fields for wheat and late Sudan turf plantings. Producers continued to feed animals. Producers wished to get a late hay cutting prior to fall.
SEASIDE BEND
Scattered rains throughout the district enhanced topsoil and subsoil wetness in some locations, however other locations stayed dry. Rangeland and pasture conditions were anticipated to enhance in locations that got rain. Rain postponed harvest of staying cotton fields. Some cotton plantings were zeroed out, and stalk damage was happening as weather condition allowed. Rice harvest was near conclusion. Some sesame was developing, and harvest was anticipated quickly on the earliest planted fields. Livestock manufacturers were looking for hay. Some manufacturers need to make a minimum of one cutting of hay following the wetness just recently got. Cattle sales continued, and rates stayed high.
EAST
Much- necessary rain fell throughout the district with as much as 7 inches gotten in some locations. A couple of counties reported just getting a quarter inch of rain. Pasture and rangeland conditions were bad to reasonable. Subsoil conditions were brief to appropriate. Topsoil conditions were appropriate. Producers hoped the rains would assist them get another hay cutting. Cattle markets stayed strong. Livestock were doing reasonable to excellent. Armyworms were reported in several counties.
SOUTH PLAINS
Sporadic showers provided 0.5-2 inches of rain, however more was required. Temperatures were moderate. A couple of farmers began planting wheat, however the bulk were waiting on more wetness. A couple of sunflower fields were close to harvest. Pasture and rangeland conditions enhanced a little, however livestock diet plans were still being supplemented.
PANHANDLE
A basic rains provided substantial quantities of rains to some locations. Soil wetness conditions were brief however enhanced for wheat planting. Producers searching for fall wheat pasture need to start planting quickly. The rain must likewise assist late-season corn and grain sorghum advancement. Some grain sorghum fields were beginning to color. Rangeland and pasture remained in bad condition however must enhance.
NORTH
Topsoil wetness throughout the district was appropriate to surplus. Most locations reported 0.5-9 inches of rain. Some ponds that were dried up were complete or practically complete. Pastures instantly began to green up with wetness and milder temperature levels. Cotton bolls opened, however fields still looked bad. Remaining soybeans looked bad also. Tree conditions continued to decrease regardless of the current rains. Cattle and other animals stocks continued to decrease with more culling. Insect and illness pressure was very little.
FAR WEST
The typical daytime heat was 87 degrees, and the typical nighttime low was 70 degrees. A pop-up shower provided trace quantities of rain as much as 1 inch in the greater elevations. In the southwest, monsoonal rains were prevalent throughout the district and triggered flash flooding. Pasture conditions and surface area water levels continued to enhance exceptionally. Weeds were supplying grazing for livestock, which might slow herd sell-offs. Cotton fields developed rapidly, and a couple of cotton bolls started opening in a number of earlier planted fields. Several fields of just recently planted hay grazer started to emerge. Producers were keeping an eye on pecan weevils. Pest pressure was heavy in alfalfa.
WEST CENTRAL
Some locations got separated rains. Cooler temperature levels and overcast skies offered some relief. Crops were still in bad condition. A couple of manufacturers were raking fields and wishing for more rain for winter season forage plantings. Cotton was developing rapidly. Some armyworm invasions were reported in irrigated forages. Many dry ponds were cleared out by manufacturers. Pastures had little to no grazing. The regional sale barn had a much lighter run of livestock.
SOUTHWEST
Scattered rains were reported with numerous locations getting 1-3 inches of rain. The included wetness began pasture and rangeland green-up, however more will be required to bring back forages. Supplemental feeding of animals continued.
SOUTH
All locations reported rainy weather condition and mainly appropriate soil wetness levels. Rainfall amounts varied from no as much as 6 inches. Temperatures were cooler. Irrigation pivots were switched off in some locations. Strawberry and fall veggie fields were being prepared. Some fields and pastures were filled with rain. Cotton fields were being collected or nearing defoliation. Some manufacturers were shredding cotton stalks. Wet conditions were avoiding cotton bale and module pickups. The peanut crop continued to establish under watering, and some fields revealed indications of nitrogen shortages. Watermelon and cantaloupe remained in excellent condition. Rains were helpful for citrus and sugarcane. Sesame harvest was nearing conclusion. Rainfall was enhancing pasture and rangeland conditions, however some locations were getting better gradually. Forage manufacturers were looking for armyworms. Supplemental feeding of animals decreased over the previous 2 weeks, however some manufacturers continued to feed hay. Hay and feed rates stayed high. Stock tanks were complete. Some hay manufacturers cut and baled while others were anticipating to cut and bale in a couple of weeks. Some were planting haygrazer to cut in the fall. Cattle sales were decreasing, however rates stayed constant.
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