Farm & Ranch

Texas crop, weather for June 23, 2015

Published

11 years ago

June 23, 2015

NTFR

By: Robert Burns

Rice situation varies widely; much never got planted

Writer: Robert Burns, 903-834-6191, rd-burns@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – After years of having not enough water to grow rice, many of the major production areas of the state got too much, according to reports by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service personnel in the major rice growing counties.

The frequent rains prevented plantings and/or damaged crops and encouraged diseases in planted fields, according to the reports.

But it wasn’t all bad news. In Matagorda County, the rice crop was in pretty good shape, said Brent Bachelor, AgriLife Extension agent for Matagorda County.

Download or preview a two-minute MP3 audio version of this report
“We were later than normal planting, probably by 15 to 20 days at least, but we did get it all in,” Bachelor said.

Another rain came after the planting, and other than some disease issues from the high humidity, much of the already established crop is progressing well, he said.

However, he noted the 3,000 acres of rice planted this year was severely reduced from the average of about 25,000 acres typically planted before the drought and the resulting water restrictions the Lower Colorado River Authority.

“From the big picture standpoint, we haven’t farmed much rice since 2011 and the water usage restrictions from the lower Colorado River and the Highland Lakes,” he said. “But we haven’t had to pump this year, and that’s a bright star in the picture.”

Other counties weren’t so fortunate, Bachelor said.

“I know that in Wharton County, they had some issues with the rain and the floods, particularly with this last round, because they had some fields that were heading,” he said. “If it’s heading and not blooming, it can go underwater for a short period of time. But it’s certainly important for it not to be completely submerged if it’s blooming, because once flowers are open, and they get wet, then we see blanks in spikes where rice kernels should be developing.”

Stephen Janak, AgriLife Extension agent for Colorado County, said about 60 to 70 percent of the county’s rice crop was in pretty good shape. These fields were already established before Tropical Storm Bill.

“When Bill came through, the levees blew out in a lot of the fields of where younger rice hadn’t been established yet and was still flooded,” he said.

The rain also created problems where the levees held, including completely submerging some rice, he said.

“The fields were saturated before Bill, which added 10 to 15 inches of rain on top of that,” Janak said. “There’s some organic rice that never got planted. It’s just a hodgepodge of conditions, depending on the situation, the soil type and when it was planted.”

In Jefferson County, a large percentage of the crop was not planted, and much of what was planted varied widely in development, said Emilee Bean, AgriLife Extension agent for Jefferson County.

As in other areas, the condition Jefferson County rice that got planted varied widely in development. In her weekly report, Bean rated 45 percent of the crop as good, 45 percent fair and 10 percent excellent.

According to the Chambers County weekly report, about 45 percent of the crop was planted and emerged, with most of the crop in good condition and 25 percent in fair condition.

Brazoria County rated 85 percent of the rice crop as being in good condition, and the rest fair to excellent.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following crop and weather summaries:

Central: Soil moisture, rangeland and pastures, and livestock were generally in good condition. Overall, crop conditions were rated as fair. The region generally had scattered showers, but heavy downpours caused severe flooding in isolated areas. The condition of the corn crop varied widely, with some fields drowned out while other fields looked good. Sugarcane aphid pressure on grain sorghum remained low. Lakes and stock-water ta nks were full, and rivers were running strong. Many producers were still trying to get the first cutting of hay moved out of fields. Some producers reported getting four to six rolls of Bermuda grass hay per acre. Livestock were in good condition. The wheat and oat harvests wrapped up, with yields lower than expected. Grain sorghum was still struggling, but some fields bounced back from excessive moisture and were growing.

Coastal Bend: Winds brought by Tropical Storm Bill caused only minor damage and brought moderate flooding to row crops and pecans. Corn was maturing. Sorghum was flowering. Cotton development varied greatly, from full bloom to the six-leaf growth stage. There was some insect pressure in grain sorghum. The mixed maturity of sorghum caused management of the crop to be challenging. Hay harvesting was shut down by the rain. Rangeland was in excellent condition.

East: Most counties in the region received substantial rainfall from Tropical Storm Bill. Jasper County received the most at 10 inches. Henderson County got 3 to 5 inches, and Shelby County reported 5 to 8 inches. Several counties changed their subsoil and topsoil moisture ratings from adequate to surplus. The Jasper County towns of Kirbyville, Buna and Evadale were flooded. The Trinity River bottom remained flooded. The continued wet conditions were causing disease and insect infestations on some crops. Pecan scab infestation was heavy, and there were some reports of powdery mildew. Many trees were stressed because of saturated soils; some were losing leaves. In Anderson County, corn and grain sorghum fields were lost. Blueberry and blackberry harvests were behind due to the rains. Vegetable harvesting was slowed, and crop quality was diminished by the muddy conditions. Forage pastures and hayfields were in mostly good to ex cellent condition, but producers were unable to make hay due to the rains. Rain and wet conditions prevented some producers from marketing cattle. Otherwise, cattle were in good condition, and the market continued to be strong. The horn fly population exploded.

Far West: Thunderstorms in Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties brought as much as 1.5 inches of rain. The thunderstorms also produced high winds and lightning, which increased wildfire danger. Winkler and Loving counties had scattered showers. Upton County rangeland conditions improved, but broomweed took over ground that had been left bare from the previous drought. Cattle were in good condition. Cotton, corn, sunflowers and alfalfa were all doing well. Wheat producers were finishing up harvesting. Pasture and rangeland were in fair to good condition. Topsoil and subsoil moisture was adequate.

North: Topsoil moisture was mostly adequate. Tropical Storm Bill brought 3 inches of rain during the middle of the week, which halted planting of soybeans, cotton and grain sorghum. Bill also stopped the hay and wheat harvests, and other fieldwork. Fields and pastures were saturated. Corn was growing quickly, but there were issues with non-uniformity in the fields that were underwater for long periods. Summer pastures were growing really well. Livestock were in good condition. The cattle market was strong. Grasshopper numbers were high in some areas. Wild hogs continued to cause damage.

Panhandle: Most of the region was hot and windy for the most of the week, with near-average temperatures. Soil moisture was mostly adequate. The warm and dry conditions allowed Collingsworth County farmers to catch up on fieldwork. Cotton there appeared to be overcoming too much moisture and was emerging. Acres not able to be planted in cotton were being switched over to grain sorghum or haygrazer. Dallam Hartley corn was progressing good under irrigation. Wheat looked good, and producers were taking a second cutting of alfalfa. Isolated storms in Deaf Smith County hailed out some wheat and cornfields. However, the corn crop in general was in good shape. Even the late-planted fields were in from three-to-four leaf to eight-to-ten leaf growth stage, so there will be a wide variance in the crops maturing. The condition of wheat there was also widely variable with many fields affected with disease issues and a wide range of mat urity levels – even in the same field. Some grain sorghum acres were just being planted, while others were at the five-to-six leaf stage. Due to wet, damp and cool weather very few cotton acres were planted in Deaf Smith County. In Hansford County, areas north of Spearman and Gruver received the 2 inches of rain along with strong winds and hail. Corn, sorghum and cotton were doing great. The wheat harvesting started over the weekend south of Spearman. Irrigated and some dryland wheat looked really good, but weeds were starting to become a problem. Wheeler County producers finished planting cotton. Some cotton was just emerging. The crop was expected to be late to mature. Cattle were in good shape, but horn flies were troublesome in most all herds.

Rolling Plains: More rain fell across parts of the region. Montague County received 16 inches of rain, which brought the total rainfall since the beginning of May to more than 45 inches. Severe flooding displaced cattle, downed fences, and destroyed ponds and personal property. The wheat harvest was on hold because of the rain. Some cotton planting was prevented due to the rain. Hay producers were having trouble getting hay baled because of rain, but most weren’t complaining after four years of drought. Where hay could be harvested, yields were excellent. Livestock remained in good to excellent condition. Area reservoirs and stock-water tanks were full. Rangeland and pastures were in good to excellent condition. Farmers were focusing on weed and insect pest issues. The peach crop was looking very good with harvesting starting. The harvesting of most peaches will begin in two weeks and continue through July.

South: Tropical Storm Bill brought widespread thunderstorms and rain to much of the region, but no damaging winds. In the northern part of the region, corn and cotton were in good condition. Peanut and grain sorghum were in fair condition. Rangeland and pastures were in excellent condition. Frio County had warm days and minimal rain, which allowed producers to complete the wheat harvest and continue potato harvesting. In Live Oak County, conditions remained very wet, and many crops were damaged by too much moisture. Soil moisture conditions were generally adequate throughout the northern counties. In the eastern part of the region, Tropical Storm Bill brought 5 to 10 inches of rain in some areas, and many fields in those areas remain flooded. In Kleberg and Kenedy counties, cotton and sorghum fields looked great, and rangeland and pastures continued to improve. Weeds, though, continued to be a problem for many cattle produ cers in that area. Soil moisture was adequate in Jim Hogg and Jim Wells counties, and 100 percent surplus in Kleberg and Kenedy counties. In the western part of the region, there were reports of webworms in pecan orchards, but spraying controlled the pests. In Zavala County, timely and substantial rains resulted in big savings on irrigation costs. Cotton, corn, sorghum and pecans made excellent progress. Soil moisture conditions were generally adequate throughout the western counties. In the southern part of the region, Hidalgo sunflower harvesting was interrupted by heavy rains. Starr County grain producers were baling hay. Soil moisture was adequate in the southern counties.

South Plains: Some areas received rain — from light and isolated showers to widespread storms — with certain areas receiving from 2 to 5 inches. The moisture benefited crops, but made field work difficult. Earlier planted sorghum and corn looked very good. The wheat harvest was underway and yields are average to slightly above. Farmers were running sand-fighters cultivators over fields to stop blowing topsoil on some fields and to break crust to help seedling emergence on others. Pastures and rangeland were in good condition, and winter wheat harvest was in various stages, from just starting to being completed. Lubbock County cotton ranged from having one to five true leaves. Corn and sorghum were progressing well with exception of a few sorghum fields that were stunted in appearance. All Garza County cotton acres were planted, with crop development ranging from just emerged to the four-true-leaf stage. Some dama ge has been seen in cotton due to wet weather blight. In some low-lying areas, the crop showed signs of a lack of oxygen due to excessive soil moisture. Rangeland and pastures were in excellent condition, and cattle were mostly in good to excellent condition. Mitchell County received rain at the beginning of the week, which again kept farmers out of the fields. Scurry County also received rain that prevented cotton planting.

Southeast: Soil moisture throughout the region was mostly adequate to surplus, with San Jacinto, Chambers, Galveston and Hardin counties having 100 percent surplus levels. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied widely too, but were mostly good to excellent, with good ratings being the most common. San Jacinto County and Hardin County reported 100 percent excellent conditions. Brazos County got from 0.75 inch to 2.5 inches. Pastures and hayfields continued to benefit from abundant moisture. Brazoria County soybeans were blooming. In Chambers County, Tropical Storm Bill dropped from 4 to 11 inches of rain atop of already saturated ground. Some parts of the county had already met average rainfall totals for a full year. Some early rice that did not have to be replanted in late April was starting to head. Any more rains will make herbicide and fertilizer applications on rice difficult. In Fort Bend County, the tropical storm brought 3 to 6 inches of rain. Although producers got more rain than they wanted, they were spared the 12 inches of rain that fell to the south, so the extra moisture was manageable. Galveston County received heavy rains from Tropical Storm Bill too.

Southwest: Though Tropical Storm Bill brought rains, no major damage or flooding occurred. Rainfall totaled for the week ranged from 3 to 4 inches. Corn was in poor condition from too much water. Pasture conditions continued to improve, and rangeland was in good condition. Crops looked good as well, with above-average yields expected. Livestock were in fair condition.

West Central: The region had hot and very humid days with warm nights. Scattered showers fell in some areas, while others remained dry. Subsoil moisture remained good. Field activities increased as rain-soaked fields dried out. Producers were spraying for weeds. Cotton planting and wheat harvesting was nearly completed, though some wheat fields had to be abandoned due to poor quality and weeds. All row crops were off to a fine start due to good moisture conditions. Producers were cutting and baling hay, with the first-cutting yields above average with good quality. Grain and forage sorghum, and corn were in excellent condition. Rangeland and pastures were also in great shape. Livestock remained in good to excellent condition. Horn flies required some control in most herds. Stock-water tanks and ponds were in good condition. Cattle prices remained very good. Peaches were ready to harvest. Pecans were progressing well, with a heavy nut crop in some areas and light in others.

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Farm & Ranch

Frog Fruit

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2026

NTFR

By Tony Dean, tonydean.tx1@gmail.com

Frog fruit is a native, low-growing perennial forb adapted to most of the eastern U.S., but few grazers know it well. It contributes more to our plant communities than we realize. It generally grows no more than a few inches tall and roots at the nodes. It can form dense mats several feet across and develop runners up to 3 feet long.

The leaves are thick, one to two inches long and 3/8 inch wide, and toothed from the middle to the tip. Tiny white flowers form a ring around a flower head, and the head then elongates into a cylinder an inch long or longer. Frog fruit has a four-angled stem.

Frog fruit can grow almost anywhere in Texas and on many soil types. It can grow in drier soils and likes good drainage, but it needs additional moisture to survive the hottest months. You can find it almost anywhere in a pasture, though it often grows in depressions and near water sources.

“Frog fruit is used as forage by livestock and deer. I recall an instance when I was moving cattle from one pasture to the next on a Jack County ranch. As I opened the gate, I stood by a beautiful green plant of switchgrass which I expected to be immediately grazed down. The cattle walked right by the switchgrass and stuck their heads in a small patch of frog fruit a few feet away,” Dean said.

Frog fruit is gaining popularity as a ground cover for homes and gardens for these reasons:

Frog fruit grows quickly, maybe too quickly. If it gets out of bounds, you can always trim it back.
Frog fruit is low maintenance. Once you get it established with adequate watering, it can survive with little care.
Frog fruit has a long bloom period, from April to October.
It is a host plant for several butterfly species and other insects.

Farm & Ranch

Theileria orientalis

Published

6 days ago

September 29, 2026

NTFR

By Barry Whitworth, DVM

Over the past few years, veterinarians have detected Theileria orientalis in Oklahoma cattle. Early cases were primarily diagnosed in adult cattle, but more recent Oklahoma cases have been identified in stocker cattle. All cattle producers should be familiar with the clinical signs of this disease and check their cattle daily for signs of trouble.

The first U.S. case of theileriosis was identified in Virginia in August 2017. Those cattle showed weakness and anemia, and veterinarians made an initial diagnosis of anaplasmosis. Blood samples from the animals were tested for Anaplasma, Babesia and Leptospira. Results were negative for all three, but the tests revealed a blood protozoan, later identified as T. orientalis genotype Ikeda. Since that first herd outbreak, the organism has been detected in several states.

Cattle sick with T. orientalis genotype Ikeda may show fever, weakness, anorexia and exercise intolerance. If forced to move, affected cattle may stagger and gasp for air. If stressed excessively, they may collapse and die. On examination, the gums, eyes or vaginal mucosa may appear pale (white) or yellow. Reproductive losses, including stillbirths and late-term abortions, may occur, along with a drop in milk production.

Clinical signs reported in adult cattle in Oklahoma include anemia, sudden death, weight loss, abortion, failure to thrive and failure to calve. In stocker cattle, producers have reported weight loss, anemia, poor performance and sudden death.

Because Anaplasma marginale and T. orientalis genotype Ikeda produce similar clinical signs, telling the two apart can be difficult. One difference is that clinical signs are more common in young cattle infected with T. orientalis than in young cattle infected with A. marginale. Cattle with anaplasmosis also often display aggression, while those with T. orientalis genotype Ikeda typically do not. A laboratory test is required to tell the two diseases apart with certainty.

Researchers have identified Haemaphysalis longicornis as a possible vector of T. orientalis genotype Ikeda. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of H. longicornis, commonly called the Asian longhorned tick (ALT) or bush tick. While trying to determine how the tick arrived in the United States, USDA officials discovered it had been present in West Virginia as early as 2010. The tick has now been confirmed in at least 26 states, including Oklahoma. Some evidence suggests other insect vectors may also transmit T. orientalis genotype Ikeda. Needle transfer is another possible route of transmission.

The ALT has been identified in Craig and Mayes counties in Oklahoma. This tick thrives in areas with high humidity, such as wooded regions, brush or tall grass. Ticks are often found where large numbers of wildlife gather, such as along deer trails. Producers can find more information about the ALT on the USDA website at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/cattle/ticks/asian-longhorned.

Other countries have developed treatments for T. orientalis, but no approved treatments are available in the United States, and no vaccine exists for this disease. The best defense is prevention: buying cattle free of the organism, avoiding blood transfer between animals and using effective tick control. Producers should purchase cattle from reputable sources. Clean instruments between animals during procedures such as castration or dehorning, and change needles between every animal. Control external parasites with appropriate insecticide treatments. Pasture management also helps, such as rotating cattle away from wooded or brushy areas where ticks thrive. Patch burning may also help reduce tick populations.

Theileria orientalis remains a concern for some cow/calf and stocker producers in Oklahoma. Producers who want more information about T. orientalis genotype Ikeda should contact their local veterinarian or Oklahoma State University County Extension agriculture educator.

References

Hammer, J. F., Emery, D., Bogema, D. R., & Jenkins, C. (2015). Detection of Theileria orientalis genotypes in Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks from southern Australia. Parasites & Vectors, 8, 229.

Oakes, V. J., Yabsley, M. J., Schwartz, D., LeRoith, T., Bissett, C., Broaddus, C., Schlater, J. L., Todd, S. M., Boes, K. M., Brookhart, M., & Lahmers, K. K. (2019). Theileria orientalis Ikeda genotype in cattle, Virginia, USA. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 25(9), 1653-1659.

Spickler, Anna Rovid. (2019). Theileriosis. Retrieved from http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/DiseaseInfo/factsheets.php.

Watts, J. G., Playford, M. C., & Hickey, K. L. (2016). Theileria orientalis: A review. New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 64(1), 3-9.

Farm & Ranch

Is the Pond Safe for Livestock?

Published

7 days ago

September 28, 2026

NTFR

By OKFR Staff

During the hottest part of summer, a farm pond can look like a welcome source of water. Cattle may be standing belly-deep along the bank, and the pond may still hold enough water to seem dependable. Looks alone won’t tell you whether that water is safe.

Hot weather, limited rainfall and falling pond levels can create water-quality problems. As water evaporates, salts, minerals, nutrients and other substances become more concentrated. Warm, still water can also encourage blue-green algae, and some forms can produce toxins capable of killing livestock.

Producers sometimes treat water as an afterthought compared to grass, hay and supplemental feed. Livestock need a dependable supply of clean water to maintain feed intake, regulate body temperature and support production. Poor-quality water can reduce consumption and performance even when it does not cause obvious poisoning.

A pond that has watered cattle for years is not safe under every set of conditions. Pay particular attention during drought, extreme heat or any period when the water level drops significantly.

Watch the Water and the Livestock

One of the most serious late-summer concerns is a bloom of cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae. These organisms live naturally in many bodies of water, and most do not produce dangerous toxins. The risk rises when certain toxin-producing species multiply rapidly under favorable conditions.

According to Oklahoma State University Extension, toxic blue-green algal blooms typically develop in standing water after periods of hot, dry, calm weather. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus can fuel excessive growth. Those nutrients may reach a pond through manure, fertilizer runoff, soil erosion and decaying vegetation.

A suspicious bloom may turn the water bright green, blue-green, pea-soup green or even brownish. Scum, foam or mats may collect along the shoreline, particularly where the wind pushes floating material into one area. Some blooms look like spilled paint.

Not every green pond is poisonous. Common aquatic plants and harmless algae can also change the color or surface of the water. You usually cannot tell whether a bloom is toxic by looking at it, and a pond can contain toxin-producing cyanobacteria without showing every commonly described warning sign.

Keep livestock, horses, pets and people away from water that has an unusual color, heavy surface scum, a bad odor or unexplained dead fish or wildlife nearby. Do not let livestock drink from another part of the same pond on the assumption that the water is safe there. Wind can move a bloom, and toxin levels may vary across the pond.

Blue-green algae can produce toxins that affect the nervous system or liver. Depending on the toxin and the amount consumed, affected animals may develop weakness, staggering, difficulty breathing, tremors, convulsions, diarrhea or collapse. In severe cases, owners find animals dead near the water before realizing anything is wrong. Treatment often fails, which makes prevention especially important.

Treat any suspected poisoning as an emergency. Move the herd away from the water source without driving or stressing animals that may already be affected. Provide another clean water supply and contact a veterinarian immediately. Your county Extension office can also help you determine where and how to submit a water sample.

Blue-green algae is not the only potential problem. Pond water may contain elevated levels of dissolved salts, sulfates, nitrates, bacteria or other contaminants. Runoff can carry manure, fertilizer, pesticides and organic matter into the pond. Low water levels make some of these problems worse because the remaining water grows more concentrated.

Water with excessive dissolved solids may taste bitter or salty, so animals drink less of it. Depending on the substances involved and their concentrations, poor-quality water may contribute to diarrhea, reduced feed intake, poor weight gain or other health concerns. Young animals and livestock that are not used to the water may be more vulnerable.

Watch the cattle themselves, too. Are they reluctant to drink? Are they crowding around a different water source? Has feed intake or weight gain dropped without an obvious explanation? Are several animals having digestive problems? Changes across multiple animals can be an early clue that you need to look at the feed or water.

OSU Extension recommends collecting a representative sample and submitting it for a livestock water test whenever you suspect a water supply is harming animal health or performance. A standard livestock water test covers several characteristics, but blue-green algae can require different sampling and testing procedures. Contact the laboratory or county Extension office before collecting the sample so you take it from the right location, use the proper container and handle it correctly.

Reduce Problems Before They Develop

Good pond management cannot eliminate every water-quality problem, but it can lower the risk. One of the most effective steps is limiting the manure, soil and nutrients that enter the water.

Cattle with unrestricted access to an entire pond can damage the banks, muddy the water and deposit large amounts of manure in or near it. Hoof traffic strips vegetation and speeds erosion. Sediment fills the pond over time, while manure supplies nutrients that can encourage excessive algae growth.

Where practical, fence livestock away from most of the pond and provide a limited-access watering point. Another option is piping water to a trough below the dam or elsewhere in the pasture. OSU notes that reducing cattle manure in the pond can reduce the conditions that favor toxic algae and make the water more palatable.

A vegetated buffer around the pond can slow runoff and trap soil and nutrients before they reach the water. Apply fertilizer and manure carefully in the watershed, particularly before heavy rain, and do not let large amounts of hay, feed or organic debris pile up at the water’s edge.

Alternative watering systems need maintenance, too. Check troughs for algae, manure, drowned animals and other contamination. Install wildlife escape ramps in tanks so birds and small animals can climb out instead of drowning and fouling the water.

Be cautious about treating a pond on your own. Some owners use copper sulfate and other algaecides for algae control, but improper treatment can create new problems. Killing a large amount of algae or aquatic vegetation at once can deplete dissolved oxygen as the material decomposes, which can lead to a fish kill. Treatment may also release toxins from affected cyanobacteria into the water. Base any chemical application on proper identification and professional recommendations, not guesswork.

Livestock should always have enough water for the weather, their size and their stage of production. Demand rises sharply in hot weather, and a pond that barely meets the herd’s needs in spring may fall short in August. Check the source regularly instead of waiting for cattle to gather around a muddy shoreline.

Ponds can fool you. Crystal-clear water isn’t always safe, and a green pond doesn’t always mean toxic algae. Regular observation, testing and prevention are the best ways to keep a pond safe for your herd.