Sorghum crop looks good where timely rains broke dry spell

For much of the sorghum-growing regions of the state, the arrival of rain and the amount that fell have dictated this year’s outlook, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Ronnie Schnell, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide cropping systems agronomist and associate professor in the Texas A&M Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Bryan-College Station, said there is a wide range of growth stages and growing conditions across the state as the Rio Grande Valley prepares to begin harvesting sorghum and the Panhandle finishes planting.

“Going into the season, the weather was not good with conditions being very dry across most of the state, and then the prices also were not good,” Schnell said. “We are hoping to get some rain to make good yields and get through this season.”

Market outlook

Mark Welch, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist-grain marketing and policy and professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Bryan-College Station, said the 2024 marketing year is wrapping up with sorghum exports basically shut off to China due to tariffs and trade disputes. That disruption is limiting commodity movement and pushing the basis — the difference between the local cash price of grain and the futures price — lower.

“The basis is really what we talk about with sorghum because the price relative to corn is in a more negative position when we have limited export potential,” Welch said. “We see a situation of that export potential being cut off in the current environment.”

However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report for sorghum in May shows a strong rebound in sorghum export sales. That would be good news if that comes about for the 2025 sorghum crop, Welch said.

USDA’s prediction of sorghum production is expected to be higher in acreage and average yield in 2025, which means higher supplies. This will mean the export category of the market will be essential as the crop year moves forward.

Conditions around the state

Prices aren’t the only thing out of producers’ control. Schnell said while early growing conditions are shaping up nicely in some areas, timely rainfall will determine outcomes for many farmers.

Sorghum is more drought-tolerant than some other warm-season crops, Schnell said, and, for the most part, is progressing despite dry conditions to begin the season around much of the state.

While sorghum acres in the San Antonio region and south are very dry, in the bigger production zones around Corpus Christi, most stands look good after receiving timely rain, Schnell said.

The Rio Grande Valley is seeing mixed progress in sorghum stands, depending on planting dates. Without irrigation water this year, many fields did not establish until the region received heavy rainfall in March. Some producers planted fields immediately after the rain. So, while harvest typically starts in June, it will be delayed for many fields this year, he said.

Producers in Central Texas planted fewer sorghum acres this year, but what is there looks to be in fair condition, Schnell said. Near San Angelo, fields picked up some rain, and the crop is coming along, but most areas needed more rain.

In Northeast Texas, they have the opposite problem of most areas.

“If you move into the Hillsboro area and north and east of Dallas, there are areas where we’ve had a little too much rain, and the crop is a little stunted,” he said.

Some of this area saw some yellowing of the sorghum because the plants were standing in the water too long, Schnell said. But sorghum is resilient; once the soil dries down, the crop will grow again.

The South Plains and Rolling Plains crops are just coming up but have received some timely rains that will help production.

Overall, sorghum acreage is expected to be steady to slightly up, depending on how much is planted for grain sorghum and sorghum silage up in the Panhandle, he said. Planting is just getting underway in that region.

Insect damage could be a problem

Danielle Sekula, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management agent in Weslaco, said the historic rainfall that fell in deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley in March is resulting in a lot of late sorghum that is more prone to insect attacks.

“We have a lot of sorghum at the soft dough stage right now and it’s been hit by every pest,” Sekula said. “We are finding a high number of rice stinkbugs, along with midge and sugarcane aphids. These producers, though, are treating them and with the timely rains, the crop is looking very good if they can control the pests going forward.”

In Central Texas, Schnell said the crop is a week or two away from flowering, so, they haven’t started seeing any sorghum aphids yet. However, in the Corpus Christi region and south, they have started seeing them.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Central

The recent weather varied across the district with intermittent rain followed by warmer temperatures and occasional severe storms, including hail. Soil moisture levels were generally good, though some areas reported drying conditions with above-normal temperatures setting daily records. Pastures and grasslands were growing well, keeping livestock in mostly good condition, though some producers continued supplemental feeding. Hay cutting began with promising results. Wheat and oat harvests got underway as fields dried, with good yields reported in some areas. Corn progressed nicely and began to tassel and benefit from the heat, while sorghum started heading. Cotton planting finished in some areas and was just beginning in others, with growth somewhat slower due to cooler temperatures and high thrips populations. Stock tanks were full in some counties but concerningly low in others. Producers were monitoring conditions closely as drought concerns persisted in certain areas.

Rolling Plains

The previous week’s rains benefited conditions across the district. Native grass pastures were in excellent shape, and livestock drinking sources remained filled. With the weather drying and warming up, farmers took advantage and prepared for upcoming hay and cotton planting. There were scattered reports of expanded wild hog activity, as well as noted increases in grasshopper and mosquito populations. Wheat harvest was expected to start soon with favorable yield projections.

Coastal Bend

The district experienced hot, dry conditions throughout the week, though overcast skies helped limit crop stress. Soil moisture conditions continued to decline with unseasonably warm temperatures and strong south winds. In some places, conditions dried faster than expected. Corn stands looked promising for a good harvest, and some late-planted sorghum was heading, but more moisture was needed. Cotton was growing and looked good but needed additional rain for good yields. Warm-season forages were starting to grow, and cool-season grasses were mostly dormant. Range and pasture conditions were good, and herbicide applications were being made in pastures as wind allowed. Haying was beginning to pick up with round bales showing up and more hay being laid down. Livestock continued to find good quality forage. Cattle body condition scores were improving.

East

Many counties continued to receive rainfall. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. While some areas were very wet, others remained dry and in need of rainfall. The weather has been unseasonably warm for late spring as well. Producers started cutting ryegrass to make way for warm-season forages. Growing conditions for most of the region were ideal. Pasture and rangeland conditions were good. Cattle markets remained strong, with some producers contemplating reducing herd size with the high market prices. Fire ant and wild pig control was underway. Gnats and flies were becoming an increasing nuisance.

Southeast

Rainfall played a crucial role in determining crop health, pasture quality and fieldwork progress. Corn in some areas appeared stunted due to early heavy rains, while other areas started drying out. Hot, dry and windy conditions stressed corn and late planted cotton. Producers saw boosted forage growth and improved pasture conditions and began or continued their first hay cuttings. Livestock conditions started to improve. Rain was needed for better forage production in some areas. Saturated conditions delayed fieldwork and rice planting in some areas while other areas remained dry. Excessive moisture prevented herbicide applications and hay harvesting and forced some producers to graze cattle on hay fields. Soil moisture levels were short to surplus. Corn progress was strong, sorghum was planted and some fields had headed out, while planted rice emerged. Winter wheat was 100% headed, and cotton and soybeans were planted and emerged.

South Plains

Soil conditions declined rapidly due to high winds and hot temperatures, making corn and cotton planting challenging. Locations with adequate moisture at the beginning of the week were dry-planted by the end of the week; the need for rain was high. Cotton, corn and sorghum were being planted, and irrigation was being turned on. Early planted corn and sorghum looked good. Wheat for grain was either being harvested or sprayed for harvest in the next month. Wheat silage was being cut. Forage fields were being cut for hay. Weeds were coming on strong in many places. Producers were using pre-emergent spraying applications to combat weeds. Potatoes had emerged and were growing.

Panhandle

The recent rains allowed growers to take advantage of improved soil moisture conditions to plant warm-season crops. Cotton planting began; sorghum planting was expected to get underway soon. Wheat and other small grain crops continued to mature and fill developing kernels. Silage harvesting continued to ramp up on the first cutting of the season for alfalfa and early planted wheat fields that reached or were nearing ideal growth stages for maximum feed value. Rangelands improved daily due to rain and temperatures. Overall, soil moisture levels were short to adequate, pasture and range conditions were fair to good and crops were fair to good.

North

Topsoil and subsoil were short to adequate. Pasture and range conditions were fair to good. Some damaging storms and scattered showers occurred, with some areas receiving up to 2 inches of rainfall. Wheat, oats, corn, sorghum and Sudan grass crops looked good; most wheat had turned color or was close to turning. Grazing pastures were transitioning from ryegrass and other cool-season forages to summer forages. Many hay pastures with cool- and warm-season grass mixes were cut, raked or baled before the rainfall. Harvest season for blackberries, squash and tomatoes began. Potato planting will start soon, and winter vegetable harvests were coming to a close. Feral hogs remained active across the district. Livestock were in excellent condition. Nuisance fly populations were high, and mosquitoes were increasing rapidly.

Far West

Extreme heat occurred with daily temperatures soaring above 95 degrees and one day exceeding 100 degrees. Temperatures were significantly higher than the seasonal average of 86 degrees. With rainfall becoming increasingly critical, widespread soaking rain was needed to improve planting conditions and to support crops and grazing lands. Persistent high winds accelerated the soil moisture loss from previous rains. Winter wheat has largely been bailed for hay or plowed under. While a few growers began planting cotton on well-irrigated fields with sufficient moisture, many were waiting for rain or relying on irrigation to prepare their fields. Dryland planting remained unlikely without substantial rainfall, and sustaining crops through the summer would require multiple heavy rains. Corn and sorghum responded well to the heat, with no reported insect pressure. Melons were beginning to vine out, though bird activity caused some damage. Pasture and grazingland conditions continued to decline, and producers continued feeding livestock.

West Central

Some areas received rain over the weekend, while most locations stayed dry. Hot and dry conditions persisted. Thunderstorms brought high winds with some hail, but the moisture helped pastures, cotton planting and grain sorghum. Warm-season forage growth slowed due to hot, dry days. Some fields were planted in sorghum and forage Sudan. Wheat harvest was expected to begin soon, although many wheat and oat fields were grazed out. Coastal Bermuda grass and hay grazer looked good, but more rain was needed as subsoil moisture levels remained low from extended drought. Weed control was ongoing. Range and pastures were in good condition where rain was received but dry in other parts. Livestock remained in good condition where the early May rains fell, and stock tanks and low spots in creeks were full. However, the rains were followed by 100-degree days and the soil moisture depleted fast. Drier pastures offered little grazing and livestock were being supplemented.

Southwest

Topsoil dried out due to the high temperatures, though subsoil moisture remained adequate from recent rainfall. Hot and dry conditions continued. High temperatures reached over 100-degrees during the week, with no precipitation. Row crops looked good but needed another rain soon. Irrigated crops looked strong, and all cotton was planted. Vegetable gardens were doing well. Livestock performance was expected to dip due to reduced grazing and animals seeking shade. Livestock markets were high to steady. Some producers began cutting perennial grass patches. If conditions remain the same, hay grazer cutting was expected to begin soon. Some producers were trying to balance available grazing and stocking rates by selling calves slightly lighter than usual. Producers were still heavily supplementing feed for both livestock and wildlife. Overall, livestock body condition scores remained marginal. Whitetail deer were beginning to drop fawns.

South

Conditions were hot, dry and humid, typical for this time of year. In some areas with lighter and rocky soils, the vegetation was already drying out and turning brown. A strong line of thunderstorms produced some much-needed rain — 2-5 inches – in some areas, but some hail and straight-line winds up to 115 mph accompanied the storm. Trees and structures were severely damaged by the wind. Approximately 2,500 acres of row crops were damaged by the wind and hail. The rainfall increased local stock tank levels. Hay harvest was underway. Strawberry production slowed, with some fruit still being harvested in low numbers. Row crops continued to progress well, benefiting from good soil moisture. Winter wheat and onions were being harvested. Cotton was in the full bloom stage. Cotton fleahoppers were above threshold levels, and farmers were advised to spray. There was high rice stink bug pressure in grain sorghum in the soft dough stage. Midge was present in flowering sorghum, and sugarcane aphids were building up. In sesame fields, there appeared to be beet armyworm pressure and some thrips. Approximately 80% of the corn was in the dent stage and is now past the critical stages for insects. Citrus orchards were being irrigated and treated for pests. Most pastures were still in fair condition but starting to stress due to the heat and high winds. Some pastures were in excellent condition; wildlife and cattle were thriving. Cattle prices remained high as supplies remained low. Livestock were in fair to good condition, but ranchers and deer breeders were still supplementing feed.