Texas crop, weather

Wet weather continues to delay fertilization or other field operations in much of Texas. (Natural Resources Conservation Service photo by Lynn Betts) COLLEGE STATION - - The considerably wetterthan normal winter continued to be a double-edged sword for much of the state's agricultural producers, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel.

In many areas, the plentiful moisture was greening up winter pastures and, by raising soil moisture reserves, was improving the outlook for spring planting. But hanging over many farmers' heads was the specter of delayed planting, particularly that of corn, according to reports from AgrLife Extension county agents across the state.

However, the problems were by no means universal. In the Panhandle, though muddy conditions also made it difficult for cattle and cattle feeders there as throughout the state, the moisture was greening up winter wheat. In the San Antonio area, the rain was moderated by dry weather, giving producers the best of both worlds, according to Jerry Warren, AgriLife Extension agent for Bexar County.

"Bexar County continues to receive good moisture, and land preparation is mostly complete for spring planting," Warren said. "Livestock producers are still feeding. Winter wheat and oats are in pretty good shape and should see better grazing as average temperatures rise."

"More moisture is making things a little hard for some farmers to get into there fields and do any plowing," said Steve Sturtz, AgriLife Extension agent for Tom Green County, San Angelo. "But the winter wheat is really thriving in the area. Rangeland, pasture and wildlife are excellent."

"Rainfall in the early part of the week ranged from 0.01 inch to 0.43 inch, just enough to keep the topsoil moist and prevent good drying," said Jeffrey Stapper, AgriLife Extension agent for Nueces County, Corpus Christi. "Planting of corn, sorghum, and sunflowers continues to be delayed due to wet conditions. Soil temperatures remain very cool."

"Planting of crops is getting closer due to soils beginning to dry out," said Joe Janak, AgriLife Extension agent for Victoria County in the Coastal Bend area. "As of Friday (Feb. 26), no grain crop is known to have been planted in the county, but by Sunday some may be. Farmers are hopeful there will be no rain this weekend so planting can start."

"Fields were too wet to work," said Edward Schneider, AgriLife Extension agent for Robertson County, southeast of Waco. "We are already behind on corn. Could be at least a week to 10 days before we will be able to plant."

"We had snow and sleet, with temperatures into mid 20s and highs in the upper 40s," said John Toner, AgriLife Extension agent for Sabine County, east of Lufkin. "The ground is still saturated and winter pastures are slow to grow."

The following summaries were compiled by AgriLife Extension district reporters: Central: Producers were waiting for fields to get dry enough to plant and making fertilizer applications where possible. Cool-season forage growth was slowed by cold, wet weather. Most wheat fields needed dry, warm weather. Livestock producers continued supplying supplemental feed to beef cattle. Coastal Bend: In most of the region, farmers had not yet started planting corn because of the wet ground and cool weather. The normal planting date for corn has already passed. Winter grasses were doing well under current weather conditions. Producers continued to provide supplemental hay and protein to livestock.