COLLEGE STATION - - More snow came to parts of Texas, contributing more moisture to already saturated fields, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel.
It’s the wettest winter many can remember, but for the most part, it's good news, especially after years of drought or near-drought conditions, said some AgriLife Extension agents.
“From what I can gather, talking to people around here, it’s been 20 to 25 years since we’ve had this kind of winter,” said David Graf, AgriLife Extension agent in Sherman County, in the northern Panhandle.
On Feb. 22, the Panhandle got more snow. Though not as severe as the winter blizzard a couple of weeks ago, the snow covered up wheat pasture and made tending livestock difficult, Graf said.
“It’s kind of tough on the guys with livestock, but all his producers welcome the moisture,” he said. “It’ll mean they won’t have to pre-water their ground before planting corn. That means a substantial savings.”
Nearly 400 miles to the southeast, it’s also been one of the wettest years in recent history, said Clint Perkins, AgriLife Extension agent in Wood County, north of Tyler.
Perkins said that he recorded 63 inches of rain at his house for 2009. The average is about 40 inches. During the first month and half of 2010, the area has received substantial rainfall and snowfalls.
Wood County got from 9 inches to 11 inches in the last snow, which resulted in downed power lines. All fields were muddy, making it hard on livestock producers throughout his region. The cloudy conditions have also stalled winter pasture drought. But all-in-all, it’s better to have too much moisture than too little, he said.
“Just a couple of years ago, we were praying for rain,” Perkins said.
The following summaries were compiled by AgriLife Extension district reporters:
CENTRAL: Producers were still unable to get into fields to prepare for planting or fertilize because of wet conditions. Stock water tanks were full. Cold rains and freezing precipitation took a toll on livestock. Producers continued to provide supplemental feed to livestock.
COASTAL BEND: A week of dry and warmer weather allowed row-crop producers in a few areas to get in the fields and start preparing grounds for planting. However, many farmers were still waiting to do field work because of wet conditions. Some farmers who had planned on planting corn were considering growing other crops, such sorghum or sunflowers instead. Producers continued to provide supplemental hay and protein to cattle.
EAST: After warmer and dryer weather helped winter forages to recover somewhat, another snow came to parts of the region. The snow brought more moisture to fields that were, in many cases, already saturated. All field work was hampered by muddy conditions. Hay supplies continued to dwindle. Cattle were in fair to good condition with producers providing supplemental feed. Spring calving continued. Feral hog activity slowed in some counties but increased in others, as the wet weather drove the invasive species out of river bottoms.
FAR WEST: Cool-season grasses greened up in response to warmer temperatures. Corn farmers were waiting on rain to determine when to plant, but some were already preparing fields with light, dry soils. Fields with heavy soils were still wet. Some growers began pre-watering cotton acreage. Fall-planted onions were slowly growing and were at the third-leaf stage. Alfalfa came out of dormancy but was also growing slowly. Spring wheat was 80 percent emerged. As pastures continued to decline, loco weed grew. The pecan harvest was nearly completed.
NORTH: Soil moisture ranged from adequate to surplus. Weather was cold but dryer. The sunshine and winds helped dry out fields somewhat. Small grains and winter annual pasture grasses were not growing, but they did green up a little with the sunshine. A few corn fields were planted, but the wet conditions since last fall may prevent many from planting later this month and in March. Fields remained too wet for access, and the excess moisture continued to be a problem. Forage producers were having problems with overly saturated fields. The pecan harvest was completed. Livestock were in fair to good condition but were stressed by the cold weather and high humidity. Weather conditions have necessitated heavy supplemental feeding of livestock, and hay prices were rising. Rangeland and pastures were in poor to good condition.
PANHANDLE: Soil moisture levels continued to improve from snow melt. Some dryland wheat, whose emergence had been delayed by cold temperatures, did come up thanks to added moisture and a few days of warm weather. Producers put field preparation for spring crops on hold due to wet field. Fields and roads were muddy and cattle had to be pulled off wheat pastures due to the damage being done. Beef producers continued to provide supplemental feed to cattle due to lack of grazing. Winter has been hard and wet, so most feed intake has gone to sustaining livestock body condition rather than gains.
ROLLING PLAINS: Sunny weather boosted the growth of small grains and pasture grasses. A lot of wheat didn't make it this year, but wheat that did, as well as some oats, was beginning to grow. Where conditions allowed, producers were top-dressing fields with fertilizer and applying herbicides. Some producers wondered if low prices for wheat justified fertilizer costs. Despite muddy conditions, livestock were in good condition with producers continuing to provide supplemental feed. All stock water tanks, ponds, and lakes were full. Growers were pruning peach trees.
SOUTH: Soil moisture levels were mostly surplus in the Kleberg and Kenedy counties, 100 percent short in Zapata County, and 50 percent to 100 percent adequate in the rest of the region. Temperatures were colder than normal. In the northern part of the region, potato planting resumed and early planted potatoes emerged. In the eastern part of the region, planting was delayed by scattered showers falling on already saturated soils. In the western part of the region, dry weather helped restart the cabbage and spinach harvest. In the southern part of the region, onions progressed well, some sunflowers were planted and spring-crop preparations were ongoing. Warmer temperatures brought on a light, early greening of rangeland and pastures. Livestock producers continued supplemental feeding. Stock tank water levels rose in most of the region, but ranchers in the western parts of the region had little to no tank water for livestock and wildlife.
SOUTH PLAINS: Weather turned warmer with daytime highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. Year-to-date precipitation was three times normal. Soil moisture was adequate. Field operations included shredding stalks, incorporation of pre-plant herbicides and shaping of beds. Some of the dryland wheat that had not emerged did so in response to recent rain and snows. Pastures and rangeland were in fair to good condition. Livestock were mostly in good condition with little to no supplemental feeding having to be done thanks to the warmer weather.
SOUTHEAST: The region had significant rainfall – from 1 inch to 2 inches in some areas – but soil temperatures were not warm enough for spring grasses to grow. Moderate temperatures, sunshine and windy conditions helped dry out waterlogged soils. Corn planting was limited due to wet conditions. The calving season was in full swing, but there were reports of higher-than-normal calf mortality rates due to cold, wet weather. Average mortality rates are about 3 percent to 5 percent. This year, there were reports of death rates as high as 7.5 percent in some areas. Older cattle were also suffering due to inclement winter weather and limited forage availability.
SOUTHWEST: The agricultural situation continued to improve because of rain. Cold weather helped conserve the moisture and reduce insect populations. Spinach, cabbage, potatoes and lettuce made excellent progress, as did wheat and oats. Farmers began to plant corn, and sorghum planting was expected to follow soon. Growers were expecting good wheat and oat yields this spring after nearly four seasons of losses due to drought. Good soil moisture levels should mean lower irrigation costs during early spring planting. The harvesting of spinach, cabbage, broccoli and carrots was ongoing. Ranchers concentrated on calving and lambing.
WEST CENTRAL: Fair, cool and sunny weather prevailed. Soil moisture levels remained extremely good, which will mean spring crops should get a good start. The warmer temperatures were expected to spur growth of small grains. Wheat prices will dictate how much wheat will be harvested for grain and how much will be grazed out. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to improve. Small grain and forbs were providing good grazing, and livestock were in good condition.
Source : Texas Agrilife Extension