Contact: Edith A. Chenault, (979) 845-2886,echenaul1@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION– High temperatures are boosting the growth of Texas pecan trees, bringing bud breaks one to two weeks early, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.
District Extension director Charles Neeb of Fort Stockton said bud break, the stage when the tree’s primary buds turn green, began in late March in Far West Texas.
“By now the trees have budded,” he said. “They’re putting on leaves and blooming.”
Neeb said the week-early bud break is a result of high daytime temperatures near 95 degrees. He said it’s a sign the crop is making good progress, but the early bud break will leave trees vulnerable to a late freeze.
“The concern we have is that it’s still early, and there is the possibility of a freeze,” Neeb said. “I’d like to think it’s unlikely, but a freeze or frost now could significantly damage trees that have already budded and are blooming.”
Extension horticulturist Dr. Larry Stein of Uvalde said the threat of a late freeze is also a concern in Southwest Texas, where bud break was two weeks early.
“We’re almost out of that window where a frost is likely,” he said. “If you listen to the old-timers, they’ll tell say that you can’t be sure until Easter, and even then, nothing is for sure.”
Neeb said otherwise the outlook for pecans is favorable.
“It’s still early, but they’re off to great start,” he said. “We’ll be seeing new clusters soon.”
Neeb said zinc applications are being made as the trees leaf out.
“Water, nitrogen and zinc are needed for a strong pecan crop,” he said. “Our trees are irrigated, and we’re applying zinc to ensure good vegetative growth.”
District Extension director Dr. Bob Robinson of Amarillo said temperatures were highly variable last week in the Panhandle.
“Some corn is being planted, but soil temperatures need to warm a bit before any major planting takes place,” he said.
Robinson said wheat is rated very poor to good with most being classified as poor to fair.
“The Russian wheat aphid is causing damage in a few isolated fields,” he said.
Robinson said range grasses are greening up, and cattle are doing well.
“Supplemental feeding continues but at a reduced level,” he said.
District Extension director Galen Chandler of Vernon said one inch of rainfall was recorded in the Rolling Plains.
“Rainfall continues to improve overall moisture conditions,” he said. “It has been greatly appreciated by producers.”
Chandler said even with additional moisture, the wheat crop is in poor condition.
“Many fields that are being left for harvest have completely headed out,” he said. Some wheat is being plowed at this time, with others being grazed or cut for hay.”
Chandler said ranges and pastures are responding to recent rainfall.
“Due to improvements in pasture situation, supplemental feeding has slowed in this district,” he said.
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district Extension directors:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture is short to adequate. Light showers reported. Some corn being planted. Wheat is very poor to good; most is poor to fair. Russian wheat aphids causing damage. Pastures continue to green up. Cattle are in good condition.
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Wheat responding well to recent rains and should be harvested the first of May. Pastures in fair condition. Land preparation continues. Some corn and sorghum planting beginning.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is adequate. Rainfall improving moisture conditions. Some wheat being plowed; some being grazed or cut for hay. Corn planting beginning. Range and pasture conditions improving. Cattle condition good.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short to surplus. Rainfall delaying further planting. Soil temperatures are cool. Wheat looks promising; leaf rust and strip rust problems. Livestock in good condition; flies are a problem. Herbicides being used in pastures.
EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Measurable rainfall recorded. Peaches in fair condition. Some bud break in pecans. Vegetable garden activities slowing with rainfall. Pastures improving and providing ample forage. Cattle conditions are good.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Range conditions improving; more moisture is needed. Calving is winding down. Peaches have some frost damage. Early bud break in fruit trees. Limited planting of warm season vegetables.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Some hail, rain reported. Outlook for grains is poor. Some sorghum fields being planted for hay; some fields being prepared for planting. Livestock herds being reduced. Cows are calving. Gardens doing well.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is short to surplus. Cattle prices are higher than normal. Range and pasture conditions improving. Cotton being planted. Cool weather slowing growth of grain crops.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adeuqate. Cotton planting almost done. Rice and sorghum doing well. Corn looks good; some damage from rain recorded. Peanut planting in full swing. Vegetable gardens look good. Grasshopper populations increasing.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is adequate. Pasture and range grasses are dormant; forage availability below average. Corn, sorghum and cotton have been planted and are up to good plant stands. Cabbage and onion harvests continue.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is adequate. Crop conditions good; some replanting occurring. Wind damage reported. Good cotton emergence, high aphid populations reported. Cool weather slowing rice progress. Cattle doing well.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short to adequate. Corn and sorghum progressing well. Cotton has emerged. Sugarcane showing signs of moisture stress. Pasture and range in good condition. Melons and squash in good condition. Citrus harvest continues.
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