Farm & Ranch

[AgriLife] Texas crop, weather report for March 1, 2016

Published

11 years ago

March 1, 2016

NTFR

By: Paul Schattenberg

DALLAS — While most people typically think bright lights and big city when they think of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, agriculture remains a primary driver of the area’s economy, said Dr. Blake Bennett, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist in Dallas.

“The area’s temperate weather and available irrigation water are well suited to numerous agricultural enterprises, including various livestock operations and more than 25 commercial crops,” Bennett said.

More than 20 different crops are produced commercially in the metroplex, including a variety of fruits and vegetables and major field crops.

“The climate and soil conditions are particularly well suited to the development of high-value specialty crops,” he said. “Primary crops include nursery crops, wheat, corn, grain sorghum, hay, and ensilage.”

These and other interesting facts about agribusiness and agricultural production throughout an eight-county area in North Texas can be found in the recent publication “Agribusiness: The Impact of Agriculture in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex,” which is on the agency’s Agricultural Economics website, http://agecoext.tamu.edu/files/2013/08/DFWMetroplex.pdf.

Bennett said the metroplex is so well suited to agriculture that per the state’s agricultural census from 2007 to 2012, the number of farms and acres of agriculturaa-use land in the eight-county area in and around the metroplex increased by nearly 10 percent.

“This growth is in contrast to the rest of Texas where during the same time frame the number of farms increased by just over one-half of one percent and farmland actually saw a small decrease,” he said. “Also counter to state trends, farms of every size in the metroplex saw increases — the greatest being among smaller-acreage farms.”

During the same time period the rest of the state showed only an increase in the number of farms in size ranging from 10 to 179 acres, with all other size categories showing decreases.

“The owners of most of these small-acreage farms have primary jobs that are off the farm, but still produce enough to make a significant economic impact on the area,” Bennett said. “And the reasons for people purchasing small farms are as diverse as the metroplex itself.”

He said some small-acreage farmers want to grow organic produce while others just want to experience a more rural lifestyle or use their farm for agritourism or agritainment, such as providing festivals, hayrides, corn mazes or a pumpkin patch experience.

Bennett added those who own smaller farms, especially farms of 20 or fewer acres, are also more likely to grow alternative or “niche” crops than larger commercial farmers, and many small-scale farmers tend to focus on cattle and hay production as the most effective use of their limited acreage.

“While impressive, the figure still does not reflect the entire value of the agricultural industry in the region, as data limitations prevent the inclusion of public sector employees involved in agriculture,” he said. “Production agriculture in this region is as diverse as the communities and landscape within it.”

He noted while housing, businesses, roadways and other aspects of urban structure and infrastructure have grown significantly in the region, production agriculture has seen significant growth as well.

“While we don’t have figures for after 2012, it is apparent that agricultural production in this area continues to be on the upswing, and the trend toward smaller farms continues,” Bennett said.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

CENTRAL: Counties in the region reported 90 percent good soil moisture with the area receiving rains ranging from 1.5 to 2.8 inches. Range and pasture conditions were fair, as were overall crop conditions. Corn planting began and some producers were putting down fertilizer and weed control on Bermuda grass pastures. Stock tanks were full and cattle remained in good condition. Producers were preparing and planting fields with milo.

COASTAL BEND: Up to 2.5 inches of rain fell across most of the region, improving soil moisture conditions. Corn and some grain sorghum planting began. Some corn fields have emerged and a little cotton was planted. Wheat was in good condition and warm-season perennial pastures were growing. Some controlled burns took place. Cattle were in good condition.

EAST: Conditions around the region were cold and windy. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were mostly adequate with a few counties reporting conditions as short. Nighttime temperatures dropped to the low 30s with daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Most of the counties received much needed rain with amounts up to 4 inches. Most counties were reporting pasture and range conditions as poor with only a few reporting conditions as good. Winter forage crops improved and the risk of fire danger was reduced. Producers were top dressing winter pastures. Fertilizer prices have come down. Some applications of fertilizer were being made on cool season annuals. People were preparing to plant their spring garden vegetables. Spring sprouting has begun on trees and flowers. Fruit tree pruning was underway. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Cattle were chasing the grass that has sprouted up, but there was not enough to sustain them so producers were still supplemental feeding. Spring breeding season had begun. Cows were calving. Selling of market ready calves and culls continued. Cattle numbers were still low but prices were slightly better. Feral hogs continued to be a problem.

NORTH: Topsoil moisture varied from adequate to short. Rainfall amounts ranged from about 1.5 to 2.5 inches. High winds and rain slowed down farming activity, and many corn farmers were waiting until fields dried out so they could plant. Cattle ranchers were trying to pull cattle off wheat and other winter annual pastures. Continued temperature swings caused stress with livestock, as it affected cool season forages and crops. Fruit tree buds were swelling and some were starting to bloom. Winter pastures greened up but had little growth. The mild temperatures were good for forage but questionable for fruit production.

PANHANDLE: Temperatures ranged from cold to warm. Some areas received moisture in the form of rain or snow. Potential wildfire conditions persisted throughout the region, slowing some farm work. Preparations were being made for spring planting. Winter wheat greened up but needed moisture. Dallam and Hartley counties were warm and dry, so activity picked up in the field as producers put down fertilizer and pre-emerge herbicides ahead of corn planting. Some pre-watering was being done. Supplemental feeding continued among cow-calf producers. Spring calving was underway and calves were getting off to a good start. A few weeds started to emerge in pastures, and cool-season grasses greened up. Wheat-pasture stocker cattle made good progress. Deaf Smith County producers also prepared for spring plantings. Pasture cattle were doing well, thanks to above-normal temperatures and adequate soil moisture providing excellent forage. Cattle on wheat were in good condition. In Hutchinson County, some weeds began to emerge and producers needed moisture for a good start on their crops. Wheeler County wheat needed rain and was showing some moisture stress, but cattle remained in fair shape. Many herds are experiencing lice problems; winter annuals provided some grazing in native pastures. Farmers began shredding cotton stalks and preparing land for spring planting. Range and pasture conditions varied from poor to excellent with most reporting good to fair.

ROLLING PLAINS: Rain fell across parts of the region with amounts ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches, helping the wheat crop. Range and pastures were in better condition though pastures still had dead winter grass and weeds, which could act as fuel for a wildfire. Livestock were in good condition and preparations were being made for row-crop planting. Cotton remained a concern from a market standpoint.

SOUTH: Temperatures throughout the region were warm during the daytime and cool at night. Rainfall occurred in some counties ranging from drizzling to heavy downpours, with the heavy rainfall brought by storms tracking across the region. In the northern part of the region, conditions were good. Rainfall from 1.5 to 4 inches, was reported throughout the area. Rainfall was accompanied by hail, which damaged spinach and potato crops throughout the area. In Frio County, wheat and oat crops responded well to the much-needed rainfall. Some of the southeast portion of the county received the lesser rainfall with the northern portion receiving the most. Range and pasture conditions remained mostly unchanged and in fair overall condition in McMullen and surrounding counties. Supplemental feeding continued at a steady pace but declined some as temperatures warmed. Cattle body-condition scores remained fair. Soil moisture was 100 percent adequate in the Atascosa and Frio County areas, 80 percent adequate in the LaSalle County area and 60 percent adequate in the McMullen County area.

In eastern parts of the region, range and pastures improved throughout Brooks County, even though conditions were generally very dry. Supplemental feeding continued at a steady pace. Two cold fronts swept through the Jim Wells County area, but no significant rainfall was received. Temperatures were milder during the day and colder at night. Windy conditions continued to reduce topsoil moisture in most row-crop fields. Jim Wells County had minimal planting activity. Some of the corn crop emerged with good stands. Additional moisture will be needed to help with row crops throughout the area and to improve forage quality. Corn crops in the Kleberg/Kenedy county area were also almost completely planted, and sorghum planting was underway. Soil moisture conditions were 100 percent adequate in the Brooks County area. Jim Wells County had 50 percent adequate subsoil and 100 percent short topsoil moisture. Kleberg/Kenedy County soil moisture conditions were 50 to 60 percent short. Range and pasture conditions were fair.

In the western part of the region, Dimmit County received isolated showers and Maverick County received some light rain. Coastal Bermuda grass continued in its dormant stage and was yellow, but will soon be ready for its first cut of the year. Weather conditions remained cool with only a small amount of rain was received throughout the area. Temperatures reached the 80s and 90s in Zapata County. Pastures remained green but with some visible stress due to the lack of rainfall. Strong winds, heavy rainfall and hail hit parts of Zavala County, causing damage to buildings and crops. Cabbage and spinach producers began preparing insurance claims for crop damage but the extent of damage was as yet unknown. The storms also damaged center irrigation pivots in some parts of the county. Livestock on native range and pastures continued to receive supplemental feed. Soil moisture conditions throughout the area were 50 percent short in Dimmit County, 70 percent short in Maverick County, 40 percent short in Zapata County and 100 percent adequate in Zavala County.

In the southern parts of the region, sorghum, cotton and corn planting progressed well in Cameron County. Of the crops planted, a minimum amount of grain sorghum was planted. Also in Cameron County, some harvesting of hay occurred in improved pastureland. Grain sorghum and cotton planting was active in the Hidalgo County area, as was the harvesting of sugarcane, citrus and vegetables. In Starr County, onion crops progressed well, beef cattle producers continued supplemental feeding and range and pastures showed signs of moisture stress. Soil moisture conditions were 60 percent adequate in Cameron County, 70 percent adequate in Hidalgo County and 90 percent adequate in Starr County.

SOUTH PLAINS: Recent moisture in Cochran County has improved subsoil and topsoil moisture in pastures and rangeland. Winter wheat dealt with fluctuating hot and cold temperatures while producers attempted to get ready for spring planting. Floyd County received rain from 0.3 to 2 inches, which will help winter wheat and make planting conditions more favorable. There was warmer-than-normal weather in Hale County and limited moisture was a concern. Wheat crops looked good and livestock were in good condition. Hockley County received an early rain so some producers were kept out of the fields for a few days. Lubbock County had good weather with light precipitation. Fruit trees began to bloom. Land preparation continued and area wheat fields were nearing the jointing stage. Scurry County received from 0.2 to 0.5 inches of rain.

SOUTHEAST: Soil-moisture levels throughout the region varied widely, mostly in the adequate to surplus range with adequate being the most common. Fort Bend, Chambers and Walker counties reported 100 percent adequate. Rangeland and pasture ratings were mainly fair to poor, with fair ratings being the most common.

In Walker County, rain replenished moisture levels. Cool-season forages such as clovers grew well and were looking good, as did ryegrass. Most of the region had excellent soil moisture for planting crops. In Brazos County, scattered showers provided 1 to 2 inches of rainfall. Corn producers prepared for planting. In Grimes County, rain replenished the topsoil moisture, but was followed by strong winds that may have prevented much of the moisture to be absorbed. Montgomery County received 2 to 3 inches of rain with morning temperatures in the 30s and mild daytime temperatures. Waller and Brazoria counties also received rain. Chambers County was drier, but still had enough moisture to initiate field work. Rice fields were being readied for planting. Fort Bend County received approximately 1.5 inches of rain countywide, which delayed corn planting but provided much-needed moisture to pastures. Producers were also preparing to plant grain sorghum soon. Livestock were in good condition.

SOUTHWEST: Recent rain from 1 inch to 4 inches helped with small grain and pastures. Some areas got hail, which damaged some leaves on forage. The colder weather was good for peaches. Some farmers began fertilizing. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued.

WEST CENTRAL: Most of the area received rainfall ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches, putting much-needed moisture back in the topsoil. Unseasonably high temperatures brought on spring-like conditions earlier than normal, but high winds continued to cause range fire concern. Some cooler weather and a light freeze set back some warm-season grasses and forages that had previously began to break dormancy. The winter wheat crop remained in good condition and showed good growth. Row-crop producers were plowing fields and spraying winter weeds. More rain will be needed before spring planting. Livestock grazed winter wheat and remained in fair to good condition. Some supplemental feeding continued and cattle prices remained steady.

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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.