Despite the drought, Texas High Plains farmers with irrigation will most likely plant cotton in the South Plains and a mixture of corn and sorghum in the Panhandle, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Robert Burns)
As Mother Nature continues to play what seems like an extended April Fools joke on parts of Texas with ongoing drought, agricultural producers have some tough cropping decisions to make, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service crops expert.
“As conditions remain very dry across the Texas High Plains, producers are looking at crop decisions that reflect the drought condition,” said Dr. Calvin Trostle, AgriLife Extension agronomist in Lubbock.
According to the March 25 U.S. Drought monitor, about 67 percent of the state is in one stage of drought or another, with about another 18 percent listed as abnormally dry. These numbers reflect a substantial backslide from what appeared to be a mollifying of drought conditions as recently as a couple of weeks ago.
And the worsening of the drought is further concentrated in the Texas High Plains and Central regions, where extreme drought is the rule rather than the exception, according to the monitor.
Faced with severe or extreme drought – in many counties now for three years running – producers will be looking at crops based upon crop insurance options, irrigation ability and expectations of rain, Trostle said.
“Farmers with irrigation will most likely plant cotton in the South Plains and a mixture of corn and sorghum in the Panhandle,” he said. “For producers who are dryland, they will probably continue to go forward with cotton. However, because of lower input costs, grain sorghum might be a better choice, especially if they choose to wait toward the tail end of the planting season, which is about a month later for sorghum than it is for cotton.”
Sorghum is highly drought tolerant, but so is cotton, he said. And in some cases, not only are the economic rewards for a successful cotton crop better, but crop insurance coverage for cotton is a little stronger.
“As you move northward into the Texas Panhandle, you’re more likely to see corn on the table as a cropping option,” he said. “Historically, for full-season corn that is fully irrigated, producers want to get it in by April or the first half of May.
“But what I hear from producers today is that if they are looking at limited irrigation, they may chose a corn hybrid with a shorter maturity and maybe plant late May into mid June – even late June if they’re south of Amarillo — just for the possibility of catching a late June rainfall and maturing the crop when the worst of the summer heat is over.”
Central: Most counties reported fair soil moisture levels. Overall, rangeland, pastures and crops were in fair condition. Livestock were generally in fair condition. Pastures somewhat greened up in some areas thanks to a few scattered rains. Some counties reported high winds and hail. The planting of corn and sorghum was nearly finished in some counties. Cotton growers may plant soon to take advantage of available soil moisture. Beef producers were preparing to spray and fertilize pastures.
Coastal Bend: Most areas reported light rains. Cotton planting was slowed by cooler than normal temperatures. Most corn and grain sorghum was planted. Pastures markedly improved from rains over the past few weeks. Rice was being planted, and pecans began to break bud. Hay growers were fertilizing and spraying for weeds. Most stockmen discontinued feeding hay on a daily basis as grasses greened up.
East: Conditions improved throughout the region with warmer weather and adequate moisture — sometimes more than adequate moisture. Trinity County reported flash floods, large hail and wind damage from a powerful storm that passed through. Trees, homes and barns sustained damage, and some residents were without electricity for several days. The rain and warmer temperatures caused a big jump in winter forage growth, which allowed many livestock producers to reduce or completely cease supplemental feeding. Warm-season grasses also started growing. Spring calving continued. Farmers were preparing fields for planting of warm-season vegetable crops. Some fruit trees were flowering. Producers were applying weed control in pastures and lawns. Feral hogs were active.
Far West: The region had variable daytime temperatures, and some days with 40 mph sustained winds and gusts up to 50 mph. Cotton growers were pre-irrigating and cultivating fields. Alfalfa was growing but four weeks away from the first cutting. Fall-planted onions were at the four-leaf stage. Pecan trees were at the bud-swell stage. Mesquites and perennial grasses had not yet begun to green up. Cattle were generally in good condition, with livestock producers working earlier calving herds. Other herds were still in the middle of calving.
North: Topsoil moisture was short to adequate as a few counties received more than 1 inch of rain. There were also reports of hail in the more northern counties, but there did not appear to be any damage to crops. The region had warmer weather, with highs in the upper 60s and 70s. The warm days encouraged winter and spring pasture growth. Winter wheat was doing much better across the region. Corn planting was still in progress in most areas. Livestock were in good condition, with a little supplemental feeding ongoing. Feral hog activity increased in Titus County. Lamar County reported that green bugs were appearing in wheat, and producers were implementing control measures.
Panhandle: Dry and windy conditions continued, with temperatures near average most of the week. By the weekend, temperatures rose to above normal. Though most of the region received some rain, soil moisture remained very short. High winds from 30 to 60 mph coming after the rain dried out what little moisture that was received. Soil temperatures were rising, and producers were pre-watering corn fields and irrigating wheat. Pastures were in bad condition with winds blowing dirt. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued.
Rolling Plains: Limited rain fell across the region midweek, but a big windstorm took most of the moisture away. Subsoil moisture remained in some areas, but topsoil was becoming extremely dry and hard. Crops varied in condition depending on management. Wheat that was grazed was very short, while wheat pastures looked better where cattle had been taken off earlier. Mite infestations were reported in wheat. Dryland wheat needed a rain soon to have a chance at even making a close-to-average yield. Spring-planted crops needed precipitation. Peach trees were blooming. Hay was in short supply. Stock tanks and lakes needed runoff.
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