Contact: Edith A. Chenault, (979) 845-2886, e-chenault1@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION –Corn and sorghum crops are good this year, but now Texas farmers face depressed market prices for the commodities, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.
Charles Stichler, Extension agronomist in Uvalde, said the corn and sorghum harvest was in full swing until showers across South Texas slowed it down.
“The harvest has not been delayed that much,” he said, “because the rains have been scattered.”
Stichler said the crop is good, but storage and sale of the corn and sorghum is presenting a problem for farmers.
“Grain facilities are still full from last year,” he said.
The market is sluggish and movement is slow right now, Stichler said.
“I spoke to someone at a grain cooperative this morning and he said they are starting to dump grain onto the ground because they don t have any room for it,” he said.
Stichler added that prices are depressed in comparison to three years ago.
“They ve had a good corn crop in the Midwest for the past several years and market prices are very low right now,” he said.
Stichler said everything dried up because of he drought conditions and there was no corn crop, but it is no longer a localized industry.
“What happens in the Midwest determines what happens in the South,” he said. “If their crop is good, the more they produce and that lowers the demand in our area.”
Stichler said this situation puts Texas farmers in a difficult position.
“It s going to be tough on the farm this year,” he said. “Some growers will go out of business because the cost of production is higher than the price they are receiving for the commodity.”
Stichler said growers cannot do anything about the price they receive.
“When you have too much you can t sell it,” he said. “When the price is low, you don’t make any money on it.”
Dr. John Robinson, Extension economist in Weslaco, said the sorghum harvest has been going on for at least two weeks in his area.
“The crop outlook is pretty good in comparison to last year,” he said. “Yields are much better than last year.”
The 1998 drought reduced yields; timely rains are boosting yields this year.
In the Panhandle, district Extension director Bob Robinson said his area has been cool and dry.
“Corn is doing pretty well,” he said, “but some fields that were hailed on are in poor condition.”
He also said western corn rootworm larvae are evident in fields on continuous corn that have no at-plant insecticide application.
“Cotton is also in fair shape,” Robinson said. “Some stands were lost to hail and unusually cool temperatures.”
He said the cool weather has also allowed thrips to cause considerable damage to the cotton crop.
“Sorghum is almost completely planted,” Robinson said, “and stands are rated fair to excellent.”
He said the cool temperatures have hampered the growth of the sorghum.
“Wheat is doing well, but some has been lost to hail,” Robinson said.
He added that the wheat harvest has just gotten under way but is delayed due to cool, cloudy conditions.
“Custom harvesters are having to wait on more favorable weather for cutting the wheat,” Robinson said.
He said livestock in his area are in good condition.
“Cattle are doing well, but some hornfly problems have been reported,” Robinson said.
In East Texas, district Extension director Tony Douglas said there has been a lot of rainfall and hot temperatures in his area.
“There has been excellent progress in pastures and hay fields,” he said. “Hay cutting continues.”
Douglas said cattle conditions are very good and the market is strong.
“The corn and cotton crops also look very good,” he said.
Vegetable gardens are going very well and the produce looks good.
“Sweet potato planting is almost complete,” Douglas said.
He added that the peach harvest is light and the pecan nut set is good.
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district Extension directors:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture is adequate. Corn is fair to excellent. Thrips a problem in cotton. Sorghum stands rated fair to excellent. Peanut stands rated good. Soybeans doing well. Wheat harvest under way. Range is excellent. Cattle doing well.
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is adequate to surplus. Pastures, ranges in good condition. Wheat doing well; harvest under way. Peanuts in good condition. Corn, sorghum in good condition. Many cotton fields being replanted to alternate crops. Onions progressing well.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is adequate. Wheat harvest delayed due to rains; yields still look above average. Pastures continue to improve. Cattle in good condition. Corn progressing well. Grasshoppers causing problems. Best apricot crop in years.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Growing conditions have been excellent. Insects worse than normal. Grasshoppers causing problems. Pastures doing very well; weeds a problem. Cattle in good condition; flies a problem. Sweet corn harvested.
EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Pastures, fields making excellent progress. Corn crop doing very well. Cotton in good condition. Cattle conditions very good; market is good. Peach harvests light. Sweet potatoes being planted. Hay being cut.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to adequate. Cotton planting is complete; insect damage is low. Wheat harvest is complete. Cattle doing well; market is strong. Pastures, ranges improving with recent rains. Tomatoes being harvested. Vegetables looking good.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Cotton crop slowed by cool weather and rains; some fields being replanted. Livestock in good condition. Oat production poor to fair. Insects causing problems. Peach harvest continues. Pecans look good.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Grass making excellent growth. Cattle gaining weight. Heavy selling and buying of sheep and goats. Wide range in corn yields. Some fields have been sprayed for midge. Grasshopper damage severe in some areas.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Crops look good. Sorghum crop is setting full heads. Heavy soybean crop. Rice beginning to head. Cattle market is looks strong. Adequate grazing available. Hay harvest continues. Pastures look good; insects a problem.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Forage availability is above average due to recent rains. Harvest of wheat, oats, onions is complete. Harvesting of watermelons and cantaloupes is under way. Cotton will be able to take full advantage of the rain.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is adequate. Insect pressure light in cotton. Corn beginning to dry down. Wet weather threatening sorghum crop. Damp condition may cause disease problems in rice. Pastures have good moisture; ample forage. Haying in full swing.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Corn is maturing; harvesting will begin soon. Cotton crop progressing well; setting bolls. Sorghum harvesting under way. Pastures doing well. Hayland harvesting under way. Most vegetables have been harvested.
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