Writers: Blair Fannin, (979) 845-2259,b-fannin@tamu.edu
Brooke Alexander, (979) 862-1556
Contact: Edith A. Chenault, (979) 845-2886,e-chenault1@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Sweet potato crops are suffering from lack of rain, resulting in smaller sizes and less profitable yields, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports. Also severely affected is the state’s cotton crop.
Extension Agent Brian Cummings of Van Zandt County said the sweet potato crop had a strong beginning but did not get the rain it needed to flourish.
“The crop had a good set,” he said, “but there was really no moisture to size them up.”
North Texas welcomed some beneficial rain in June, but that was the last the sweet potatoes received.
“They really need rain in July and August to help them grow and fill out,” Cummings said.
Any rain that sweet potatoes did receive in these months was used to keep the plant alive. They usually grow two to three and a half inches in diameter, but this season some are only reaching the size of a quarter.
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station senior research associate Ron Earhart of Overton said smaller potatoes ranging from one to two inches are used for canning.
He said many producers are waiting to dig in hopes that the potatoes will increase in size.
“Digging will probably start in the next couple of weeks,” Earhart said. “Producers are trying to keep them in the ground as long as possible.”
“Sweet potato yields are poor,” Cummings said,” and a lot of the crop is unmerchantable.”
It is estimated that up to one-quarter of the crop will be lost due to small potato size. “A lot of growers would usually make 300 bushels an acre,” he said. “Some are only getting 30 bushels an acre right now.”
Cummings said any rain would be beneficial, but it may be too late in the season to help.
Extension Director Dr. Bob Robinson of Amarillo said cotton is rated very poor to good with most reporting poor to fair.
“Defoliants are being applied,” he said, “but extremely drought-stressed plants are making the application less than satisfactory.”
Carl Anderson, an Extension cotton marketing economist, said extreme high temperatures and a lack of rainfall through August and September has led to an additional $220 million in cotton losses statewide. That is on top of $285 million estimated in early August, bringing total cotton losses due to drought at $505 million.
The additional cotton losses resulted from relentless heat, lack of rainfall and cotton that was of poor quality.
The break in high temperatures recently has been welcomed relief for many, but Anderson said for cotton farmers “the damage has already been done.” He noted some crops continued to deteriorate even after Sept. 1 when there was a break from consecutive days of 100-degree temperatures.
Robinson said boll weevil trap catches continue to increase as the weevils look about for something else to feed on.
“Soybean and peanut harvest is also continuing,” he said. “There is now indication of yields at this time, however.”
Extension Director Scott Durham of San Angelo said the majority of crops have failed due to drought.
“Sorghum harvest is complete,” he said, “but most of the crop didn’t survive.”
Durham said cotton yields are expected to be very low, and irrigation is continuing on peanut fields.
“Pastures are also declining and in poor shape,” he said.
Supplemental feeding and water hauling is continuing with livestock still being sold off Durham said.
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district Extension directors:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture is very short. Open weather allowing corn harvest to move rapidly; below average yields reported. Cotton rated very poor to good; defoliants being applied. Sorghum harvest under way; irrigated yields are fair to good. Cattle doing well.
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture is very short. Pastures and ranges in poor to fair condition; supplemental feeding of livestock continues. Cotton defoliation activity is increasing. Peanuts in good condition; yield prospects look good. Low sorghum yields expected.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture is very short. Cotton harvest beginning; yield potential is low. Wheat land preparations and fertilization continue with some dry sowing. Range and pasture conditions declining. Supplemental feeding of cattle continues.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Warm season pastures are dormant from drought stress. Producers are hauling water and feeding cattle. Sweet potato harvest continues; yields are poor. Cotton harvest is under way; “spotty” yields reported.
EAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Pastures short. Hay and supplemental feeding in progress; lack of water for livestock a major concern. Cotton harvest under way. Pecans short due to moisture shortage.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Pastures deteriorating; supplemental feeding continues with reduced herd sizes. Shuck worm damage appearing in pecans. Cotton bolls opening; harvest beginning in Midland County.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Most of the corn crop failed due to the drought. Low cotton yields expected. Producers are preparing oats and wheat for fall rains. Irrigation continues on peanut fields. Pastures declining; supplemental feeding continues.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Pastures short and dormant from lack of moisture. Supplemental feeding of protein and hay common. Cotton harvest continues. Disease in peanuts a growing problem. Crops are drying down quickly.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short to short. Some counties received rain, bringing relief to drought-stressed timber, forages, landscapes. Rainfall allowed for early oat planting. Pecan crop light. Livestock being fed; winter pasture planting beginning.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture is very short. Peanut harvest continues with excellent yields, quality. Up to three inches of rain in the Hill Country. Small grain growing areas remain dry. Rain improving forage; too late to produce enough forage to overwinter livestock.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture is short. Poor pecan quality reported from early harvests. Supplemental feeding of livestock continues. Pastures dry with little forage growth. Field work is minimal.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture is short. Hot, humid conditions continued this week with scattered rainfall. Sugarcane harvest under way. Crop prospects very bright, prices low. Pastures are in fair condition. Early orange harvest to begin next week.
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