Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 20, 2014.
Summary
Weather conditions remained dry and windy across much of Central Texas and the Plains. Parts of North and East Texas received more precipitation, with some areas reporting up to 2 inches for the week. Many areas of North Texas and the High and Low Plains experienced freezing temperatures during the week.
Small Grains: Around the state, winter wheat and oats continued to head. However in North Texas and the Plains, dry, windy conditions, combined with freezing temperatures caused damage to small grains in some areas. Moisture was badly needed in many places, and where available, producers applied irrigation to wheat and oat fields.
Row Crops: Planting activities continued throughout the state. Some producers were waiting on more precipitation before making final planting decisions, and pre-watering for corn and cotton planting was underway in some areas. Across much of the Panhandle and Central and South Texas, lack of moisture was hindering the development of recently-planted crops. Meanwhile, rainfall in East Texas aided emerging corn and sorghum. In East and Central Texas, there were reports of hail damage in some fields. Rice continued to emerge in the Upper Coast.
Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crop: East Texas farmers continued to plant spring vegetables. In North East Texas, blackberries and blueberries were blooming, with some freeze damage reported. Pecan foliage development continued in West and South Texas. Cabbage and onions progressed well in South Texas and some vegetable and melon planting continued there. In the Lower Valley, harvest of spring onions, citrus, and sugarcane was underway.
Livestock, Range and Pasture: Spring calving was active throughout the state, and branding and working of calves was in progress. Pastures in East Texas were providing good forage for herds. Producers were applying herbicide and fertilizer to fields. However in Central Texas and the Plains, many pastures were drought-stressed and supplemental feeding was necessary.
