Contact: Edith A. Chenault, (979) 845-2886,e-chenault1@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Even though conditions are favorable and yields are high, low prices will keep Texas cotton producers from reaping big benefits, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.
Dr. Carl Anderson, Extension economist in College Station, said the overall cotton situation is much better than it was last year.
“Production wise, it is a fantastic recovery from last year’s drought with yields that far exceed average,” he said. “The down side is, the market is very weak and producers will have to continue to deal with incomes that are rather depressed.”
He said the cotton harvest is wrapping up in the Rio Grande Valley and producers are harvesting a bumper crop of cotton along the Gulf Coast.
“In northern Texas we are seeing hot temperatures,” Anderson said, “which has caused some slow-down in the Rolling Plains and the southern High Plains regions.”
He added that the hot temperatures have caused some of the fruit squares and bolls to drop off the plants, but overall the weather has been favorable for cotton this year.
“Crop conditions are mostly positive with a few exceptions of dry spots and extreme heat,” he said.
Texas cotton in the Rolling Plains and far western portion of the state has a good moisture-base, Anderson said and most producers expect to harvest a full crop.
“Last year at this time we were under extreme heat and water stress,” he said, “and our crop prospects were way below normal.”
Anderson explained that last year about 3.6 million bales were harvested and this year’s crop is anticipated at about 5.3 million bales.
“We are approaching a two-million bale increase from last year,” he said.
Anderson said the production side of cotton has been very good this year.
“However, market-wise, prices are very depressed,” he said. “There is too much supply for too little demand.”
Despite the depressed market, producers are making more money than they did last year, Anderson said.
“The bumper crop is helping to offset the low prices somewhat,” he added.
Dr. Stephen Livingston, Extension agronomist in Corpus Christi, said the Coastal Bend has basically had two cotton crops.
“We had what was planted early and then what was planted after March 20,” he said. “The second crop is being harvested right now and is almost finished.”
Livingston said the fiber quality has been good and the later cotton crop is anticipated to be better than the first crop.
“The yields are very good,” he said. “Some producers are getting up to two-and-a-half bales per dryland acre.”
Overall, Livingston said the weather has been clear and yields are high.
“However, cotton prices are about 47 cents to 48 cents per pound, so you have to harvest a lot to make any money because prices are not as good as they have been in the past,” he said.
On the other hand, Livingston said the cotton was produced a little more cheaply this year than in the past because producers didn’t have to spray as much for the boll weevil.
In the Coastal Bend, District Extension Director Lin Wilson said the hot, dry conditions have allowed harvest activities to continue on schedule.
“The cotton harvest continues with good lint yields,” he said. “The sorghum harvest is complete, for the most part.”
Wilson said rice yields are above average with excellent quality.
“The soybean harvest will be at full capacity for the next two weeks,” he said.
Wilson added that pastures could use rain and haying is in full swing.
“Livestock are in excellent condition, but are somewhat stressed due to the excess heat,” he said.
In the Rolling Plains, District Extension Director Galen Chandler in Vernon said his area is hot and dry.
“All field activity is done in the early morning hours or night due to the extreme heat,” he said.
He said most of the cotton is setting bolls, but some of the “re-plant cotton” is still behind schedule.
“Overall, insect damage is light due to the hot, dry conditions,” Chandler said.
Peanuts continue to look good, he said.
“Irrigated peanuts continue to use a lot of water,” Chandler added.
He said range and pasture conditions are declining rapidly and stock tanks are getting low.
Livestock conditions are also declining.
“There have been several reports of baby calves dying due to heat and dehydration,” Chandler said. “Cattlemen are checking the herds regularly and treating for dehydration if necessary.”
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district Extension directors:
PANHANDLE: no information available at this time.
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is short. Pastures, ranges in good condition. Cotton doing well; dryland crop needs rain. Corn in good condition. Sorghum, soybeans in good condition; need rain. Peanuts growing well; crop good. Watermelon harvest under way.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is very short to short. Cotton growing well; setting bolls; insects light. Sorghum heading. Peanuts look good; irrigation under way. Peaches are high quality; prices good. Livestock conditions declining; some calves dying due to heat.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Corn harvest continues; excellent yield reports. Cotton moisture stressed. Non-irrigated peanuts need moisture. Some hay baling. Pastures very short. Cattle market steady. Finding sweet potato weevils.
EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Pastures stressed due to lack of moisture. Hay production slowing. Cattle condition good; market numbers increasing. Sweet potato harvest under way. Fall garden preparation slowed. Pecan prospects good.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Cotton needs moisture. Pasture conditions vary due to scattered showers. Sorghum has benefitted from rain. Corn infested with mites; first crops have been harvested. Onions, watermelons, cantaloupes being harvested.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Cotton needs moisture. Sorghum harvest reports low yields. Wheat fields being prepared for fall planting. Livestock are heat stressed. Most summer grass has burned up; fire hazard high. Heavy pecan nut drop.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Cotton acreage is opening bolls. Grasshoppers are devastating forage and tree crops. Stock water supplies diminishing. Soybean yields above average. Corn harvest under way; yields good. Peanuts close to failing.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Corn harvest near completion. Early peanuts pegging. Pastures drying out. Vegetable harvest nearly complete; hot weather and insects causing problems. Cattle prices remain steady.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Forage availability remains above average. Corn and sorghum harvests complete; good yields and quality reported; markets weak. Cotton and peanuts continue to make good progress under heavy irrigation.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is short to adequate. Cotton harvest continues; yields good. Rice yields above average. Not much aflatoxin reported in corn. Soybean harvest in full swing. Pastures need rain. Haying under way. Livestock in excellent condition.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Hot weather taking toll on pastures. Heavy cotton harvesting continues. Only late planted sorghum still in fields. Sugarcane doing well; irrigation under way. Citrus crop continues to size up. Farmers cleaning up fields.
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