Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending September 21, 2014.
Summary: The week began with warm and dry weather across most of the state. As the week progressed, cooler temperatures and much-needed precipitation was received. Toward the end of the week heavy precipitation was seen in many areas of the state. Portions of the Blacklands, South East Texas and the High Plains received five or more inches of rainfall. Areas of South Texas, the Lower Valley and Trans-Pecos received up to three inches of precipitation. The rest of the state observed up to two inches of rainfall.
Small Grains: Winter wheat seeding continued throughout many areas of the state. Some early sown winter wheat was beginning to emerge in areas of the Northern High Plains. Oats seeding continued in the Southern Low Plains.
Row Crops: Corn harvest for silage was in full swing in areas of the Northern High Plains, while harvest for grain wrapped up in the Blacklands. Sugar cane aphids continued to damage sorghum in areas of the Southern Low Plains and the Edwards Plateau, while harvest was wrapping up in areas of South Texas. Cotton in the Coastal Bend progressed, while harvest was delayed in South Texas due to recent rains.
Cotton stalk shredding continued in many parts of the state, where harvest was complete. The peanut crop progressed in areas of the Northern Low Plains and South Texas aided by recent rainfall. Producers in the Upper Coast had finished up harvesting rice and were flooding fields in anticipation of a ratoon crop. Soybeans in the Northern High Plains continued to drop leaves and mature.
Fruit, Vegetable and Specialty Crops: In South Texas, preparations for spinach and onion planting were ongoing and strawberry planting was active. Sesame progressed nicely in areas of the Coastal Bend and South Texas. In the Trans-Pecos, Pawnee pecans progressed to the shuck separation stage, while western varieties were at the dough stage.
Livestock, Range and Pasture: Weaning of lambs and goats was underway in areas of the Edwards Plateau. Insects continued to damage pastures in many areas of the state. Range and pasture conditions in the Blacklands, South Texas and the Trans-Pecos were in good condition and appear to have benefitted greatly from recent rains.
