Farm & Ranch

[AgriLife] Texas crop, weather report for Jan. 26

Published

11 years ago

January 26, 2016

NTFR

In early December, this stand of volunteer wheat near College Station was thicker than some planted stands, according to Dr. Clark Neely, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service small grains specialist, College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Dr. Clark Neely)

By: Robert Burns

Only about 20 percent of Blacklands wheat plante

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

COLLEGE STATION – Central Texas wheat growers continue to have a challenging year, said Dr. Clark Neely, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service small grains specialist, College Station.

“There’s a couple of different stories going on now with wheat, the first being prevented (planted) acres in the Blacklands,” Neely said.

The region was dry all summer and going into the fall, then it started raining in October and hardly stopped until just recently, he said.

By some accounts, only 20 percent of the region’s planned wheat acres were planted, Neely said. Moreover, some wheat that did get planted early has spent much of its time since emergence in waterlogged soils or even standing water.

Download or review a two-minute MP3 audio version of this report.
“Most of the rest of the state – like the High Plains and Rolling Plains — is in pretty good shape,” Neely said. “They’ve had plenty of moisture, but not so much that they weren’t able to get the crop in, though many acres were planted later than normal.”

Another issue for Central Texas wheat growers is volunteer wheat, he said. The region had a bumper crop in the works last spring. Then came record rains in April and May, resulting in head sprouting and heavy lodging. As a result many fields were zeroed out for crop insurance last year.

“So we had a lot of seed on the ground, and then it turned dry, and that seed did not germinate until the rains in October,” Neely said.

Wheat farmers are used to dealing with some volunteer wheat, he said. The common practice is to kill the spotty stands of volunteer wheat with a herbicide such as glyphosate before re-planting. In many instances, this year’s volunteer stands are much thicker.

“Because they either couldn’t get in the fields to spray it or because they couldn’t plant it, some farmers are going to attempt to take the thicker volunteer wheat to grain this year,” Neely said. “Theoretically, it can be done, but there are several concerns with taking volunteer wheat stands to grain.”

A lot will depend upon whether the volunteer wheat is a lodging-prone variety or one with pretty good straw strength and weather conditions, he said.

Another challenge wheat growers might face is rust, Neely said.

“Because we’ve had such a mild, wet winter, we could have another bad rust year,” he said. “It could be a problem for the entire state, but right now, we’re only seeing it around College Station.”

The spread of the disease will heavily depend on whether wet conditions continue through the spring, which is the current prediction. For the state, wheat acreage as a whole is estimated at 5.3 million acres this year, down 12 percent, he said.

“Part of the decrease is because of prevented plantings, but it’s also due to wheat prices being quite low right now,” Neely said.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

The 12 Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Districts

Central: Soil moisture, rangeland and pastures were generally in fair condition across the region. Row crops were rated as being in fair condition. In a few areas, small grains were not in so good condition, having spider mites and aphid damage as well as nutrient deficiencies due to too much water. Fields remained wet and only limited work could be done. Some producers were able to topdress wheat, with a few applying anhydrous ammonia. But with clear and sunny weather forecast, farmers should be able to catch up on fieldwork. Corn acreage was expected to increase. Livestock were in good condition. Most orchard ground was dry enough for pecan producers to continue harvesting.

Coastal Bend: Wet conditions benefited some of the region’s winter pastures but prevented some farmers from preparing fields for spring planting or fertilizing. Cattle producers continued supplemental feeding of herds.

East: The region continued to be cold and wet. Subsoil and topsoil moisture were rated adequate in most counties. Pasture and rangeland were mostly in fair to good condition, with a few counties reporting poor or very poor. Trinity River levee breaches put 8,000 to 10,000 acres of land underwater. Producers were having trouble getting hay out of saturated pastures. Vehicles were sinking up to their axles if driven off roads. Small-grain cover crops were not doing well due to the warm temperatures and abundant rainfall. However, ryegrass was doing well. Livestock producers were feeding hay and supplements. Farmers continued to topdress winter pastures as field conditions allowed. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Spring calving was in progress. Weaning and selling of market-ready calves and cull cows continued. Producers were preparing bulls to turn out into herds by mid-February to early March. Area cattle market reports continued to be weaker than last year’s highs. Prices seemed to have stabilized. Feral hog activity on cropland and pastures increased as they left flooded creek and river bottoms.

Far West: Mild winter weather prevailed throughout the region. Nighttime lows were in the 30s, and daily highs were in the upper 50s to low 70s. Most producers were providing livestock with supplemental feed. Early calving herds began to calve. Rangeland and pastures were in poor condition. Topsoil and subsoil moisture were short.

North: Topsoil moisture varied from adequate to surplus. Though there was no further precipitation, fields remained saturated. Most fields of wheat, oats and winter annual pastures remained waterlogged. It was estimated that only about 11 percent of the total wheat acreage was planted last fall due to heavy rains. What was planted was put in late and has, for the most part, been standing in water since. Most producers who usually graze cattle on small grains pulled herds off to keep them from rutting up the fields so badly. This meant more hay and supplements had to be fed. Wide temperature swings continued to stress livestock. Respiratory issues, especially with confined youth project animals, continued to be common. Feral hogs became more active.

Panhandle: Though no new moisture fell across the region, producers were still waiting for fields to dry out. In most areas, wheat was in good or fair condition thanks to plentiful moisture and warmer temperatures. However, there were reports of some wheat yellowing. Pastures were in good condition, but livestock producers were still providing supplemental feed. Cattle on wheat pasture were gaining well. Spring calving began in the eastern part of the region.

Rolling Plains: Winter moisture boosted the growth of grass and forbs in rangeland and pastures. Winter wheat was also looking promising, with soil moisture sufficient to last through the spring. Cotton harvesting, however, was largely still on hold for several weeks because of the wet conditions. Some producers were getting back into fields to finish up harvesting cotton, while others found conditions still too wet for machinery. Cotton yields were about average for the area, but with low cotton prices, many producers were questioning planting cotton again this year. Livestock were in good condition with some supplemental feeding continuing. During the holidays, producers were forced to feed on a daily basis due to the heavy snows and frigid weather.

South: Mild daytime and cold nighttime temperatures continued throughout the region. Soil moisture was mostly adequate. In the northern part of the region, potato and wheat planting continued in Frio County. Range and pastures conditions declined after a frost. In McMullen County, Bermuda grass pastures had heavy weed pressure. Supplemental feeding was steady, and some cow-calf herds began to calve. Body condition scores remained mostly fair. In the eastern part of the region, rangeland and pastures were in excellent condition. Producers were preparing fields for planting. In Zavala County, the weather was favorable for cool-season crops such as spinach, cabbage and onions. Cabbage harvesting continued, as well as light spinach harvesting. Livestock producers were providing light supplemental feed to cattle on native rangeland and pastures. In the southern part of the region, spring planting continued, and harvesting of fall corn and vegetables was ongoing. In Hidalgo County, growers were harvesting citrus, sugarcane and vegetables. In Starr County, fall vegetable crops progressed well.

South Plains: Cochran County soil moisture levels were rated as adequate. Producers were preparing fields for spring planting. Pasture and rangeland were in good condition. Floyd County had warmer weather that helped fields dry out and benefited wheat. Garza County also experienced a warming trend with highs mostly in the 50s to 60s. The cotton harvest in Garza County was nearly finished. Rangeland and pastures were mostly in good condition, as were cattle. Ranchers were providing supplemental feeding on cold and damp days. Lubbock County had mild weather for the week – except on Jan. 21 when 52 mph winds brought a trace of rain. Lubbock area wheat showed some leaf burn from recent cold weather. Subsoil moisture was very good. Only a few cotton fields remained to be harvested. In Mitchell County, cotton harvesting was ongoing with lots of fields full of cotton. Yields were beginning to drop on the delayed-harvest fields as cotton was falling out of the bolls. Scurry County had warm and dry weather for the week.

Southeast: Soil moisture throughout the region varied widely but was mostly adequate to surplus, with adequate being the most common. Fort Bend, Lee and Brazos counties reported 100-percent adequate levels. Hardin and Walker counties reported 100- percent surplus. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied widely too, mostly from fair to poor, with fair ratings being the most common. In Walker County, the moisture levels continue to hold. Pasture conditions were looking good with warm weather. Cool-season crops that weren’t drowned out were doing well, though there were some reports of fungal issues. In Brazos County, temperatures fluctuated between warm and cool, which limited forage growth. In Grimes County, conditions were suitable for fieldwork. The weather in Hardin County continued to be wet, and pasturelands were saturated. There was also a lot of standing water throughout the county. In Montgomery County, field conditions were still very wet. Cold weather late in the week stressed livestock. Hay supplies were still good. Fort Bend County livestock were in good condition. Row crop producers were able to do fieldwork in preparation for the upcoming crop year.

Southwest: Weather patterns remain largely unchanged, with temperatures about normal for this time of year. Mornings were cool with some frost and occasional heavy fog. Rangeland and pastures were in good shape. Pond levels were high. Livestock generally were in average condition. There was ample forage for sheep and goats, as well as fairly high-quality grass stands for beef cattle.

West Central: The region was cool and windy. Nights were cold, and daytime highs were in the 50s and 60s. Subsoil moisture remained very good. Cotton growers were finishing harvest. Some were still unable to get into fields due to wet conditions and needed a few more warm, dry days to finish. Cotton ginning was ongoing. In some areas, wheat emerged but needed warmer weather to grow. In others, it had come along enough to allow grazing. Other small grains were slowly growing. Rangeland and pastures were in fair to good condition as winter forbs and grasses grew well. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Cattle prices remained down, but sheep and goat prices were steady. Supplemental feeding of livestock further increased. Yearling cattle on grain were doing very well.

-30-

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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.