Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 6, 2014.
Summary
Mild temperatures re-ported throughout most of the state early in the week. Towards the end of the week, precipitation and foggy weather were observed. Many areas of the Edwards Plateau, South Texas and South East Texas received a half an inch to an inch of precipitation. Parts of the Blacklands and North East Texas received a half of an inch to two inches of precipitation. The remainder of the state observed a trace to a quarter of an inch of precipitation.
Small Grains: Producers in the Northern Low Plains continued to irrigate wheat fields. Windy conditions in the Southern High Plains continued to stress winter wheat. Wheat conditions improved in the Blacklands due to warmer weather. Wheat and oats in the Edwards Plateau continued to show signs of stress due to the lack of moisture
Row Crops: Cotton and soybeans were being planted in the Blacklands. Corn and sorghum planting progressed in South Central Texas. Rice continued to be planted in the Upper Coast. Cotton planting neared completion in the Lower Valley.
Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop: Fruit trees are in full bloom in the Northern Low Plains. Warm season vegetables continued to be planted in North East Texas. Producers in the Edwards Plateau reported fruit crops had sustained hail damage from recent storms. In South Texas, the potato crop reached the flowering stage.
Livestock, Range and Pasture: Cattle continued to graze wheat pasture in the Northern High Plains. Cattle remained in good to fair condition. Recent rainfall has improved pasture conditions, resulting in a significant decrease in supplemental feeding.
