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[AgriLife Texas] Texas crop and weather report for July 19

Published

10 years ago

on

By: Adam Russell

Heat stress noted among many dryland crops as high temperatures persist

BEAUMONT — Heat is stressing crops, pastures and gardens throughout Texas.

The majority of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service districts reported daytime temperatures exceeding the high 90s, with several reporting temperatures beyond 105 degrees. Increased daytime and nighttime heat is taking a toll on croplands and forages as moisture levels in non-irrigated fields continue to decline.

Lee Tarpley, Texas A&M AgriLife Research plant physiologist, Beaumont, said higher than normal temperatures around the state could impact yields and quality for producers.

Tarpley said there were reports from rice fields west of Houston regarding stress from high nighttime temperatures. High nighttime temperatures can affect rice flowering, which could hurt fertility and ultimately grain production.

A healthy range of nighttime temperatures for rice is below 73 degrees, Tarpley said. Anything above 77 degrees can noticeably damage plants.

Temperatures and heat stress can affect plants in several ways at different growth stages, he said.

During vegetative growth, heat stress can cause oxidative stress, which hurts plant photosynthesis, Tarpley said. Damages can impact yields.

Heat stress during flowering and seed setting, as with the rice fields near Houston, can impact fertilization and effectively reduce seed set and fruit or grain numbers, depending on the crop, he said. After the plant’s grain or fruit has started to develop, heat stress can hurt harvest quality.

Tarpley said high temperatures also impact plant transpiration, the process of water moving through a plant with most eventually being lost from aerial parts, especially leaves stems and flowers, as the plant exchanges gas with the atmosphere during photosynthesis. Transpiration has a cooling effect on plants, so can help reduce heat stress effects.

“At a point though, if the plant gets too stressed it will tend to shut down transpiration to leaves and flowers,” he said. “Dryland crops could be suffering without water. They try to take up more water, which indirectly takes even more energy.”

Tarpley said various crops are facing stress at different points in their growth cycle based on regional planting schedules and whether producers were delayed due to spring rains.

Delays that shift plant development deeper into summer usually have a detrimental effect on yields, said Dr. Ted Wilson, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center director, Beaumont, because later maturing rice experiences higher temperatures, which increase plant stress.

A multi-year analysis of yields from over 10,000 rice fields showed yields decreased by 315 pounds per acre each week harvest was delayed past the week maximum yield occurs.

“If they’re delayed six weeks, you’re looking at almost 2,000 pounds per acre and that is significant,” he said.

The heat has different effects on various vegetative plants, but high temperatures cause stress for most crops at some point, Wilson said. Heat stress has been shown to reduce fruit sets in tomatoes, and a study on cotton by the University of California at Berkeley showed stressed plants began aborting young squares in which the plant has invested the least amount of energy so it might save bolls with heavy energy investment.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

CENTRAL: The district was hot and dry. Dryland corn silage harvest was turning out well. Pastureland started to show some signs of stress. The weather forecast showed no sign of rain anytime soon. Irrigation of cotton was going strong. Some sorghum fields were sprayed with Roundup to prepare for harvest. Sugarcane aphid populations were on the rise, and some fields were treated. Livestock and cattle were in good condition. Overall crop conditions were 90 percent good, and 75 percent of the counties reported soil moisture as fair.

ROLLING PLAINS: Summer storms produced some hail and heavy rains that washed out some cotton. Extreme lightning caused a dozen reported wildfires. Some fleahopper pressure was seen in fields. Cotton continued to look good although increased daily temperatures started to affect the plants. Cattle were in good condition.

COASTAL BEND: The district was hot and dry with some windy conditions. Corn harvest was bringing in 80-100 bushels per acre, and grain sorghum harvest neared completion with above–average yields being reported. Cotton was holding on but could use some rain. Some bolls were beginning to open. Bollworms were still an issue. Fields were parched and very dry with hot spots beginning to show up in some pastures, but all in all forage conditions were still good. Hay making was in full swing with big yields. Cattle were in good condition.

EAST: Extremely hot and dry conditions remained around the district. Weather forecasts predicted little or no rain, but all counties needed moisture. Pond levels were dropping. Pasture and range conditions were mostly good. Most counties reported adequate subsoil and topsoil conditions. Some areas in Gregg County were under burn bans as topsoil moisture conditions were very short. Drought conditions have set in for most of Houston County. Panola County expected to enter a short-period drought if the heat and high winds continue. Wildfire chances increased due to abundant underbrush growth from spring rains. Hay was being cut and baled. Some pastures have shown little regrowth after cutting and have started to turn brown. Producers in Trinity County made one cutting of hay, but few made a second. Baling slowed down in most counties. Smith County producers were worried that without rain, hay supplies could be a little short this year. Gardens were drying up. Corn in Houston County had almost completely turned brown from the base up. Only a small percentage of fields were still green but not expected to stay that way for long. One field was cut down completely. Fall planting was going on in Jasper County. Cattle were in good condition. Prices were holding steady in Gregg County. Shelby County reported large numbers of cattle at sale barns with the market down some. In Trinity County, some producers were selling market-ready calves while others were holding off. Feral hogs were very active. Horn and barn flies were in great numbers. Producers were checking for armyworms and grasshoppers in forages.

SOUTH PLAINS: Hot, dry weather continued. Floyd County finally received some rain, from 0.3 of an inch to 2 inches. Scattered rains helped dryland cotton, but with temperatures remaining very high, fields will need more rain to keep going. Some cotton was blooming. Lubbock County experienced extreme heat, with four consecutive days of 104 to 108 degree highs. Corn was in the tassel to milk stages. Pollination appeared good in the majority of fields in spite of the heat. Sugarcane aphids were found in adjacent counties in grain sorghum.

PANHANDLE: The district continued with hot, dry and windy weather. Temperatures were above average for most of the district. A cool front dropped temperatures into the lower 90s briefly. Some moisture was received. Amounts ranged from a trace to 1.50 inches in a few areas. Soil moisture varied from very short to adequate with most reporting short. Hot weather was affecting all summer crops negatively. Ranges were drying out. If current weather conditions continue supplemental feeding will start soon. Grasshoppers were becoming a problem. Corn was beginning to silk and was stressed from the very high temperatures. Some corn was already behind in soil moisture. Lightning caused a few range fires. Producers irrigated around the clock trying to keep up with crop water demands with the above-normal temperatures. Earlier-planted corn was holding, however the later plantings were suffering because of the lack of water and 100-plus degree days. Decisions will be made soon regarding some crop abandonment to save half circles of corn. Cotton was coming along, but it, too, needed irrigation. However, most cotton was still young enough to hold on. Grain sorghum was looking good since most of the crop remained in the vegetative stage, but heat was taking its toll. Weeds were a problem in fields, and plowing was taking place. Cattle on pasture looked good. Insects were a problem.

NORTH: Topsoil moisture ranged from adequate to short and decreasing amid dry, hot conditions with temperatures near 100 and strong southerly winds. A slight chance of rain was in the forecast. Irrigation of crops, gardens and lawns took place. Corn and grain sorghum were starting to mature. Soybeans were blooming, and some fields were setting pods. Grain sorghum looked decent. Pastures still looked decent given the weather conditions. Hay fields needed rain. Hay producers continued to bale mostly second cuttings on Bermuda grass and some first cuttings on native grasses. Producers said yields were about average on most fields. Livestock were in good condition. Grasshopper activity picked up. Some pressure from sugarcane aphids on some milo fields was reported.

FAR WEST: The district experienced temperatures above 100 degrees with spotty showers and extreme lightening, which led to a high fire danger in some counties. Ward and Brewster counties were the only counties to receive a significant amount of rainfall, from 1-1.5 inches. Cattle in those counties were in excellent condition headed into the fall. Crops and pastures were starting to suffer from the extensive heat and no measurable rainfall. Early cotton began blooming. Sorghum entered hard dough stage, and corn was approaching 50 percent starch as watermelon harvesting continued.

WEST CENTRAL: Dry, hot, windy conditions prevailed as temperatures remained in the triple digits. Burn bans were being issued. Pastures were drying out, and fire dangers increased. Field activities, including fertilizer and pest applications, continued as producers prepared for fall planting. Grasshoppers were becoming a concern. Cotton crops were fully emerged and growing. Wheat harvest was mostly complete. Yields were not as good as expected due to excessive rains that delayed harvest and damaged some crops. About 60 percent of grain wheat was not harvested. Grain sorghum looked good and progressed well. Row crops were starting to show signs of heat and moisture stress. Cutting and baling hay continued and was mostly complete. Range and pasture conditions were declining. They were no longer lush and green but were beginning to show heat stress and dry out fast. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Cattle prices went down. Pecans seemed to be holding where irrigation was available. Native pastures were in good condition.

SOUTHEAST: Dry conditions continued. A few scattered showers were reported in Jefferson County. High, above average temperatures were affecting crop and pasture growth. Some hay was still being baled. Rice and other crop conditions looked good, however, a good rain would not hurt as the ground continued to dry. Soil moisture levels throughout the region ranged widely from adequate to surplus, with most adequate. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied widely too, from excellent to good, with fair ratings being the most common.

SOUTHWEST: Warm and dry conditions continued with temperatures over 100 degrees. Wildfire dangers increased. Soil moisture levels were depleting rapidly. Pastures and fields dried considerably and rapidly. The corn and milo harvest began. Rangelands were dry, and livestock were in fair condition.

SOUTH: Extremely hot temperatures and high winds continued throughout the district. The combination quickly dried rangeland of any good soil moisture levels remaining. Temperatures were unusually high, and daily highs near 110 were recorded in some areas. A few watermelons and cantaloupes remained in fields in parts of Maverick County. Corn and sorghum harvesting was in full swing. Some corn fields reported uncommonly high yields, upwards of 120 bushels per acre. Early planted sorghum harvesting should be completed soon, and later-planted sorghum should be ready for harvest within the next two weeks. Irrigated sorghum continued to receive water. Cotton was in the boll-opening stage. Early planted peanuts were beginning to peg, and all peanut fields were under constant irrigation. Range and pasture conditions continued to decline. Some ranges and pastures have gone dormant, and forage quality declined some. Soil was dry and cracked, and no moisture was visible on topsoil or in the subsoil in some areas. Supplemental feed was increasing, and body condition scores on cattle remained in good condition. Overall soil moisture conditions were 65 to 100 percent very short. Livestock markets reported increased offerings, but prices slipped some in most classes of beef cattle. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued in some areas.

-30-

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                                                                          American Lotus

Published

6 days ago

on

June 18, 2026

By

By Tony Dean

Farmers and ranchers are in a very close partnership with Mother Nature. If we really pay attention, she presents us some interesting scenarios.

For example, though they are totally different types of plants, water lilies and prickly pear have a lot in common. They both have strikingly beautiful flowers, both plants are edible, both of them are invaders into their respective habitats, and too much of either one can be an obstacle that we have to deal with.

Many north Texas ranches rely on excavated ponds for livestock water. Any time a pond contains a significant amount of shallow water so that sunlight reaches the bottom, some type of pond weed will develop.  The plant family that includes water lilies and lotuses is a common invader in our livestock water.

Water lilies and lotuses are in the same plant family but they are two separate genera. There are easy ways to tell them apart:

  • A primary difference is that water lily leaves commonly float on the surface, but lotus leaves can grow above the water line.
  • Water lily leaves and flowers are thick and waxy, while lotus leaves and flowers are thin and papery.
  • Water lily leaves have a distinct notch in the leaf, while lotus leaves are more rounded.
  • Water lily flower petals are pointed, and lotus petals are more rounded.

The photos attached to this writing are from Clay County, and this plant is common across north Texas. American lotus is adapted to a wide area, from Honduras north through Mexico and across the eastern US and into Canada.

American lotus is a perennial, and it is cold tolerant and heat tolerant. It can grow in any pond or slow moving stream that contains shallow water areas.  It prefers water with a depth of about 12 inches. Germination can occur from the large lotus seeds. Tubers, or roots, are established in the mud, and long slender stems extend upward. Leaves and flowers are both emergent in that they grow above the water line.

Lotus flowers are fragrant, and yellowish white with rich gold centers.  They open in the morning and close by late afternoon, then open again the next day.

Lotus is an edible plant and has a history as a food source. The large tuberous roots, the size of a human arm, were baked like sweet potatoes. The leaves were eaten like spinach, and the large seeds were ground into flour. Stems taste somewhat like beets and were usually peeled before being eaten.

There is a large world-wide industry of cultivating lilies and lotuses in water gardens. According to        Dr. Jerry Parsons, Professor and Extension Horticulturist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, cultivation of these plants dates back as early as ancient Egypt. Today, anyone with determination and a little money can have a water garden.

In 2011, the 82nd Texas Legislature designated the water lily “Texas Dawn” as the official Texas State Water Lily. Texas Dawn is a hybrid developed by Texas resident Kenneth Landon, a world-renowned expert in the field of water lilies and the director of the International Water Lily collection in San Angelo.

Ducks and other wildlife utilize the large acorn like seeds of American lotus, and submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide some form of wetland habitat. Many of us have tried to pull a bass out of a group of water lilies or lotuses, and I’m sure others have had better luck than I did. Although there can certainly be benefits to lilies, lotuses, and other aquatic plants, they can also infest ponds to the extent that the pond is not functioning correctly.

So, while the rest of the world works hard to grow these plants, ranchers sometimes need to control populations in their stock ponds. Once it gets a foot hold, American lotus can spread aggressively in wetland areas.

The primary issue that encourages American lotus, and most other water weeds, is shallow water.  Look closely at a good livestock pond and you will find that the deeper water is basically free of infestation.  Any pond will have a certain amount of shallow water that encourages water weed growth, depending upon the terrain at the pond site and how the pond was constructed. Some ranchers who enjoy and utilize wetland habitat may prefer to have ponds with significant shallow water area.

Almost all livestock ponds have a certain life expectancy.  Siltation, or movement of soil into the pond bottom through rainfall runoff, is a natural occurrence.  How fast siltation occurs into each pond, and how deep the pond was to start with, determines the length of time that the pond will contain adequate depth for dependable water for livestock.

Ponds that develop infestations of water weeds over a large percent of the surface may not have adequate depth to remain a viable water source for livestock during drought periods, especially in  western north Texas where evaporation rates are higher.

Mud, or silt, from the pond bottom, can be removed to deepen the water, but this is a very expensive process.  It is often more economical to construct a new pond rather than try to remove the silt from an old one.  Most of us do not have the funds to continually construct deep water livestock ponds, so we must try to keep existing structures functioning and providing good drinking water for livestock, for as long as we can. Control of pond weeds like American lotus may be necessary, and it can be accomplished.

There is currently no feasible biological control. American lotus can be cut and removed, but this process us usually temporary because lotus can reestablish from seeds and roots.

American lotus can be safely controlled by chemicals. This must be done carefully.  If a pond containing a large amount of any pond weeds is treated to remove all of the vegetation, a fish die-off could occur.  When the dying weeds decompose, they use up the oxygen in the water and fish can suffocate. If possible, treat only a portion of the area, wait about two weeks, and treat another portion.

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Tracks in the Sand

Published

4 weeks ago

on

May 28, 2026

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This morning, I walked out into my arena and noticed something that gave me pause. The roping steers had been in there the day before, and even though the ground was wide and level, the sand carried their story. Hoofprints crossed every direction, but in several spots, the same trail was pressed deeper than the rest. Twelve steers had been turned out, yet more than a few chose the exact same path, wearing it down until it stood out from all the other tracks.

Cattle are creatures of habit. Anyone who has spent time around them knows this. They like routine: the same feed, the same water trough, the same shade tree in the pasture. When they are turned loose, they rarely wander without purpose. More often than not, they move together, following the same course as the steer in front of them. There are reasons for this: efficiency, safety, instinct. Walking a beaten path conserves energy, and following the herd is their natural defense. Even in an arena with no real destination, those instincts come through. By the end of a short turnout, you will see the evidence, lines where they have chosen the easiest way to travel and stuck with it.

Out on the range, those lines last longer. Before fences and highways, cattle drives cut deep paths across the land. The Chisholm Trail, which carried herds north from Texas through Oklahoma into Kansas, was walked by millions of cattle in the late 1800s. More than a century later, faint traces of those trails remain, worn so deep by hooves and wagon wheels that the land still carries the mark. On ranches today, you can see the same effect in pastures where cattle walk the same lines between water and grazing. From the ground those trails might look like nothing more than dusty ruts, but from the air, they sometimes stand out as sharp lines winding through otherwise open fields. Cattle do not simply pass over the land; they shape it. Every step adds up.

That simple truth extends beyond livestock. We all make tracks. Our habits and routines are our trails, worn in by repetition, sometimes efficient, sometimes limiting. Like the cow paths, they can serve a purpose, keeping us steady and helping us move forward. But when repeated without thought, they risk becoming ruts, keeping us from stepping into new ground. History offers perspective here too. The old cattle trails built towns and economies, but once railroads and fences changed the landscape, those paths were no longer useful. Sticking to them would have meant going in circles. Progress required something new.

The Tracks We Leave

Standing in the arena, I thought about the kind of tracks I leave behind. Most of mine are not visible in the dirt. They are pressed into my daily life, how I work, the way I handle challenges, the example I set. Some are helpful and worth keeping. Others may have outlived their purpose. The difference comes in knowing when to stay in the track and when to step out of it.

Tomorrow I will drag the arena and smooth it all clean again. The next time the steers are turned in, they will make the same trails. That is their nature. But unlike them, I have a choice. I can decide which paths are worth walking, which ones to change, and what kind of tracks I want to leave for others who might follow.

Tracks tell a story. Sometimes they are only temporary, fading with the next rain. Other times they last for generations, reminders of where herds and people once walked. This morning, the cattle showed me again that even the smallest things on the ranch carry meaning. Their tracks in the arena were not just marks in the sand. They were a lesson: every step matters, and the paths we choose shape more than just the ground beneath our feet.

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Leopold’s Legacy: The Five Tools That Shaped Conservation

Published

1 month ago

on

May 14, 2026

By

By Raenne Santos

Known as the father of wildlife management, Aldo Leopold’s teachings reshaped our understanding of conservation and our role in nature. His philosophy, rooted in ethics, ecology, and action, emerged in response to the environmental degradation of the early 20th century in the American West. Overgrazed pastures, eroding soils, and changing wildlife populations revealed the consequences of treating natural resources as limitless. 

Recognizing these challenges, Leopold theorized a transformative approach to land stewardship, emphasizing that the land is not merely a commodity, but a community in which we all belong. His works, A Sand County Almanac and Land Ethic, are still referenced to this day by modern conservationists. In Land Ethic, he introduced a practical framework for wildlife management known as the Five Tools of Wildlife Management, which offers land stewards a structured approach to maintaining and restoring ecological balance.

Symbolizing brush management, the axe is one of Leopold’s tools for controlling invasive species, shaping habitats, and mitigating wildfire risks. By selectively removing vegetation, land managers can enhance biodiversity, create open spaces for native species, and maintain healthy ecosystems. 

Representing grazing animals, the cow (when used properly) mimics the natural disturbances once provided by bison. Grazing animals promote healthy ecosystems by aiding in nutrient cycling and soil disturbance. Responsible grazing practices prevent overuse and contribute to sustainable land management. 

The plow signifies mechanical disturbance and soil preparation, crucial for habitat restoration and agricultural productivity. Used strategically, it aids in cultivating crops and creating conditions favorable to wildlife. However, misuse can lead to erosion, requiring careful application in conservation efforts.

Fire, a powerful natural tool, plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and landscape resilience. Land managers use prescribed fire to control invasive species, rejuvenate plant communities, and shape habitats. Fire promotes the natural cycles of ecosystems and supports species diversity. 

The final tool, the gun, is used to manage game populations and control predators. During Leopold’s time, unregulated hunting contributed to species extinction and posed threats to others. Today, hunting is strictly managed through game laws and seasonal regulations to ensure sustainable populations.

Leopold’s Five Tools of Wildlife Management continue to influence conservation practices today. While techniques have evolved, the fundamental principles remain the same—balancing human involvement with ecological processes to sustain healthy ecosystems. His approach emphasizes the importance of working with nature rather than against it. By embracing ethical land stewardship, modern conservationists honor Leopold’s vision, ensuring that future generations inherit thriving landscapes.

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