Rainfall has benefitted many crops statewide, but the moisture also serves as a catalyst for insects and pests, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
Farmers across Texas continue to scout fields for signs of pests and damage to crops as the prime growing season begins.
Cotton thrips, fleahopper
At the Stiles Farm Foundation in Thrall, recent rain promoted strong plant development in cotton fields. But the moisture also led to a resurgence of cotton thrips and other pests.
“The cotton crop started off very clean and once we caught substantial rain and cooler overcast weather, thrips blew up quickly,” said Ryan Collett, farm manager. “We’ve been treating it. The cotton has recovered with the sunshine and is squaring aggressively. Now we are dealing with some flea hoppers, and we are getting ready to treat.”
Collett said the cotton flea hopper is one of the biggest pest problems in the region because they cause square losses, which leads to reduced yields.
“It’s all about protecting your squares,” he said. “You want to protect early season fruit set because you don’t know what conditions will be later on.”
Corn continues strong growth
Meanwhile, corn continues to progress nicely with very little disease and pest pressure, Collett said, following rounds of heavy rain and severe weather. The Stiles Farm will host its annual field day June 10.
Corn producers in other regions are staying vigilant for pests, including the corn leafhopper.
“Corn leafhopper populations did develop in the lower Rio Grande Valley but were later than last year and not nearly as severe,” said David Kerns, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide integrated pest management coordinator and associate department head for the Texas A&M Department of Entomology. “In the lower Rio Grande Valley, the small amount of late planted corn has been impacted but it is too early to determine the extent of that damage.”
Kerns said there was detection of corn leafhopper along the Gulf Coast and into Central Texas, but sightings were rare. Corn in these regions is far enough along that even if populations increased there should be no impact to quality or yields.
Meanwhile, rainfall in the Central region provided drought relief in portions of the north central counties. South Central producers received heavy rains over the past week, but little pest concerns have been reported.
“The rains have been good with some areas receiving up to 9 inches in May,” said Chadd Caperton, AgriLife Extension agent for Brazos County. “Row crops are in really good shape. There aren’t really any pests to note at this point.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
North
Overall weather conditions were cool and wet. Some counties received significant rain, which caused delays to harvest and fieldwork. Pasture and range conditions were good. Livestock conditions were good overall. The corn crop reached the silking stage, while other major crops were in fair to good condition. Most planting was completed. Gardens and ponds were described as good to excellent, and grass and hay were described as growing and present. Pastures were described as weedy with a lot of thistle and wild carrots.
Central
Counties across the district received 1-5 inches of rainfall, providing relief from previously dry conditions but creating operational challenges. The moisture benefited pasture growth and livestock conditions. Cattle remained in good shape and stock tanks were filling. Some areas experienced hail damage to pastures. First cuttings in hay operations and small grain harvests were interrupted by wet field conditions, with wheat combining halted due to concerns about grain sprouting and quality issues. Crop conditions improved significantly, with corn tasseling and performing well. Cotton benefited from moisture and continued setting squares. Grain sorghum was developing heads, though some waterlogged fields showed stress. Increasing pest activity, including grasshoppers, was reported.
West Central
Scattered storms occurred mid- to late-week. Rainfall varied across the district with up to 3 inches recorded in some areas. Cotton planting continued. Earlier planted cotton was emerging following recent rainfall. Some producers started harvesting wheat fields but needed drier conditions. Wheat harvest was about halfway complete. Hay producers should begin harvesting the first cutting of hay once fields dry. Livestock were faring well. Cattle market demand continued to be strong. Stocker steers sold $4-$5 higher per hundredweight, and stocker heifers were $5-$8 higher. Packer cows sold steady and packer bulls were $2 higher per hundredweight. Prices on pairs and bred cows were steady amid very good demand.
Southwest
Rainfall amounts ranged from half an inch to over 5 inches. Most emerged crops received enough rainfall for irrigators to skip at least one irrigation cycle. Rivers were flowing faster, and previously dry creeks were now running. However, there were still some areas where streams remained dry. Stock tanks captured some beneficial runoff. The rainfall led to rapid greening and growth in row crops, rangeland and pastures. Many producers who planted early forage sorghum and Sudan grass were preparing to cut for hay. In other areas, the first hay cutting was delayed due to rain, but harvesting should resume as soon as fields dry out. Fungal and bacterial infections were being closely monitored due to high moisture levels. Some corn was too far gone to benefit from the rain. Grain sorghum was in good condition, and recent rains will help development. Most pastures remained in poor condition due to an overgrowth of undesirable plants outcompeting forages. Rain promoted more weed growth. Grasshoppers were seen more frequently and benefited from recent moisture. Range and pasture conditions remained good and were supporting livestock. Overall, crop and range conditions were showing improvement, while livestock remained in mostly fair condition.
Panhandle
The district received rainfall and unseasonally cool weather, furthering development of small grain fields. Farmers wrapped up planting of cotton and corn while sorghum planting began. Range and pastures were green and growing. Overall soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Pasture and range conditions were fair to excellent, and crop conditions were fair to good.
Rolling Plains
The district received sporadic rain. Farmers were waiting for drier days to get equipment into fields for wheat harvest and cotton planting. Rain and wet conditions caused some concern about wheat test weights and sprouting in the heads. More will be learned about the quality of the grain as harvest progresses. Livestock and pasture conditions reported best in years.
Coastal Bend
Significant rains fell in some areas during the week, with totals ranging up to 6 inches. Soil moisture was adequate, and recent rainfall benefited warm season forages. Corn looked better and was progressing well. Rice planting was complete. Insect pressure increased, and producers were trying to stay ahead where thresholds dictate. Weed spraying was steady, and fertilizer trucks were active before the last rainfall. Range and pasture conditions were good and rapidly improving. Hay harvest continued as weather allowed. Most ponds have ample water heading into summer. Livestock were in good condition, and hay feeding slowed.
South
A couple of overnight storm systems brought half an inch up to 6 inches of rainfall in the district. No significant damage was reported except for some localized flooding in low lying areas. Recent rainfall significantly improved soil moisture conditions, resulting in favorable conditions. Stock tanks were full. Row crops continued to progress and benefited from periodic rainfall over the past few weeks. Some cotton was flowering while other fields were displaying prominent bolls. Sesame progressed well due to the timely rains. Producers were almost done harvesting wheat. Watermelons were in fair to good conditions. Peanut planting continued. Range and pasture forages responded well to the recent rains. Livestock conditions were good. Strong prices were reported for all classes of beef cattle. Producers were selling due to high market prices. Wildlife were in good condition.
Southeast
Some areas received substantial rainfall that saturated soil and provided much-needed moisture for pastures and crops. Rice fields remained flooded and were growing well. Rain supported strong development of cotton and sorghum crops. Pastures were in excellent condition. Corn planting was complete.
South Plains
The district needed rain. Most areas received less than 2 inches of rain for the month of May. Lack of moisture put a strain on growing conditions and stressed crops. Most irrigated and dry land farmers were finishing up planting and beginning irrigation. Pastures looked good but were getting dry. Cattle were in good condition.
Far West
The district received much-needed rainfall and seasonable weather, bringing relief to drought-stricken areas and improved planting and growing conditions. Cotton farmers were actively planting, taking advantage of the improved soil moisture. In the Big Bend Region, widespread rainfall over the past week replenished water sources, though some areas experienced localized flooding of streambeds and waterways. Pastures were showing signs of recovery, were greening up and providing feed. Overall, conditions were turning around, and the agricultural outlook was improving across the district.
