Moisture levels a concern for some cotton producers – Waco Tribune-Herald

COLLEGE STATION Texas cotton is in a varied state of production, but one thing is common for most producers, especially dryland growers: Rain is needed to improve soil moisture levels, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts said.

Seth Byrd, an AgriLife Extension agronomist in Lubbock, said cotton producers around the state experienced favorable weather patterns last year but there is some concern 2017 could be problematic, especially for dryland producers. Some cotton fields are yet to be planted, while others are flowering, according to regional reports.

John Nielsen-Gammon, state climatologist in College Station, said long-term forecasts show conditions could be drier and warmer than normal and many areas in the state are relatively dry for this time of year.

Byrd said cotton acres in the region will rise as producers switch from corn and sorghum for a more favorable market option. Cotton is also a more drought-tolerant planting option.

Other options arent out there because of the state of the markets, he said. Theres always a risk no matter what you plant, but cotton looks less risky.

Regional cotton fields are about 50 percent dryland and 50 percent irrigated, though additional irrigated acreage in the northern part of the region historically dedicated to corn and sorghum will be planted in cotton, he said.

Conditions were good two weeks ago, he said, so some producers took advantage and planted.

But soil moisture levels, especially the first 3 inches of topsoil, dried significantly due to high temperatures and windy conditions in the region, he said. The region has not received rain in almost two weeks, though some was expected.

There is some dry planting going on, he said. Its not ideal, but the seed is not going to swell and rot. Theyre counting on the rain in the forecast.

In the Coastal Bend and Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Joshua McGinty, Agri Life Extension agronomist, Corpus Christi, said most dryland fields needed a good rain within the next few weeks or cotton could be in trouble.

Most fields were planted in February and March and were already flowering and looked OK for now, he said.

McGinty said the past few years were easy as fields received adequate rain and required little to no irrigation and faced few pest and disease issues. This year, the soil profile was not as accommodating, and producers decision to stick with cotton rather than rotate to corn or sorghum led to an increase in disease pressure, including nematodes, which are atypical for the region.

Usually if you start with a good soil moisture profile you can make a crop, he said. This year weve had enough moisture to get the crop started, but we need a good rain in the next few weeks or the cotton crop could be in trouble. The profile is dry to 2 feet or more in some areas and it wont be long before roots cant access moisture.

McGinty said producers in the Rio Grande Valley were irrigating heavily this year due to arid, windy conditions, but the water is salty and of poor quality. A good rain is needed to improve soil moisture levels and flush the salt out of fields.

Cotton is the only thing growers think they could make a profit on, he said. The last few years we got lucky, but then a few years before that it was bad in some areas, so it is hit-or-miss. It all depends on the rain.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Small amounts of rain as well as severe thunderstorms, high winds, tornadoes and hail were common. More rain was expected and needed because the area was becoming very dry. Pasture conditions should improve. Wheat harvests were underway. Hay was baled, and cotton was re-planted in some areas. Sorghum and corn crops were doing better than average. Cattle and other livestock were in good condition. Stocker calf producers were shipping cattle off winter grazing pastures. Daily temperatures continued to warm, and cool-season annuals such as ryegrass continued to dry down and offer less grazing. With fertilizer, Bermuda grass pastures will green up after rainfalls. Counties were reporting good soil moisture. Most counties reported good overall crop, livestock and rangeland and pasture conditions.

Rain fell across parts of the district with amounts varying from a trace to more than 3 inches. Some hail was reported but no reports of significant damage. Wheat harvests were underway before the rain. Cotton planting started, and a high percent of cotton was expected to be planted after wheat harvests end. Some producers planted cover crops behind wheat, and more was planned. Canola was ready or was harvested with one county reporting disappointing yields. Livestock were in good condition. Rangeland and pastures were in good condition.

Rain was needed in most areas, other than the northern portion of the reporting area. All crops, other than cotton, were showing signs of stress due to lack of moisture. Early planted cornfields were nearing dent stage. Fleahoppers caused some damage in cotton. Sugarcane aphid pressure was apparent in many sorghum fields and treatments were being applied. Producers started flooding rice fields. Livestock were mostly in good condition. Beef producers began marketing younger calves due to declining pasture conditions. Rain was in the forecast, and some producers applied fertilizer to forage and hay pastures in anticipation.

The region continued to receive rainfall although amounts varied. San Augustine County received very little rain while Upshur County reported large amounts. Warm-season forage growth remained slow due to cool nighttime temperatures. Anderson County reported large amounts of weeds in pastures and hay meadows. Producers were fertilizing hay meadows. Pastures around the region were in good condition. Subsoil and topsoil remained in mostly adequate condition. Ryegrass was cut and baled. Cherokee County hay production was in full swing. Shelby County was harvesting its first cutting of hay. Wild pig activity was up. Anderson County reported an active timber harvest. Vegetable crops were looking good. Harvest of onions, tomatoes, potatoes, plums, peaches, pea, sweet corn, squash and watermelons started. All cotton was planted in Anderson and Jasper counties. Oat conditions in Jasper County were good. Livestock were in good condition.

Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels ranged from mostly adequate to short. Daytime temperatures were in the 80s, and nighttime temperatures were in the low 60s. Some rain was received over the weekend with amounts ranging from about 0.25-1 inch but more was needed. Corn looked very good and was rapidly growing. Most other crops including cotton, grain sorghum and soybeans were planted and emerged. Pastures also looked very good. Ryegrass hay was harvested, and meadows were prepared for Bermuda grass. Wheat harvests started with about 15-20 percent completed. Fly numbers increased on cattle

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Temperatures and conditions were seasonable early in the reporting period with isolated storms, heavy rainfall, winds and hail reported later in the reporting period. More rain was needed in all areas. Stock ponds were drying out as high temperatures and high winds reduced soil moisture levels. Wheat harvests were underway in most areas with average and below-average yields reported. Some producers worked at full speed to get wheat out before rains arrived. Farmers have Sudan up and growing for summer grazing and hay production. Irrigated corn and sorghum were doing very well. Dryland sorghum was off to a slow start but should pick up after the rains. Cotton planting was delayed due to dry conditions. Planting was expected to begin in the next few weeks following the rains. Rains helped pastures and Coastal Bermuda grass grow. Rangeland and pasture conditions remained fair to good, but were showing signs of moisture stress. Most cool-season annuals matured and played out. Recent rainfall should help pastures achieve good growth. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. The cattle market was active and holding steady.

In Chambers County, organic rice fields were being planted. A little conventional rice was left to plant, as well. Most fields were dry and required extra water to be pumped onto them to prevent rice from getting too dry. Weekend rains helped conditions and more rain was in the forecast. Pastures declined significantly over the past two weeks and needed the moisture. Brazos County experienced heavy rains. Some creeks flooded. Soil moisture conditions in Montgomery County were very poor until light showers were received, with more than half an inch in some areas. Overall conditions were good for the moment. Soil-moisture levels throughout the region ranged from short to very short. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied from fair to poor with fair ratings being most common.

Temperatures continued to rise throughout the district, continuously reducing soil moisture and browning rangeland and pastures. Most areas remained dry. Scattered rain was received in some areas, and heavy rainfall with localized flooding from heavy downpours of 3-5 inches was reported in the southwest corner of Jim Hogg County near the Starr, Zapata county line. Temperatures were warm with high winds throughout most of the district.

Gardeners continued to harvest potatoes and corn. Cornfields were in the silking stage and sorghum was in the heading stage. All cotton fields emerged throughout the district. Irrigation continued where needed. Peanut planting started. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to dry out in most areas due to strong winds and lack of rainfall.

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Moisture levels a concern for some cotton producers - Waco Tribune-Herald