Farm & Ranch

[AgriLife Today] Texas Crop and Weather Report –April 20, 2016

Published

10 years ago

April 21, 2016

NTFR

By: Adam Russell

Corn and sorghum appear on track in 2016

COLLEGE STATION — Corn and sorghum crops appear to be on time and on track to produce average yields for producers around the state, said Ronnie Schnell, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state cropping systems specialist, College Station.

Corn acreage is a little behind the five-year average, Schnell said, but farmers and fields are in better shape than last year.

He said weather, especially wet weather, did not cause delays as it did in 2015.

“There was a lot of late planting last year due to rain,” he said. “It looks like the weather is cooperating for the most part across the state (this year).”

Corn and sorghum in East Texas, the Brazos Valley and southern Texas had all been planted with most, if not all, emerged and some were waist high or in the six-leaf stage, he said. Other producers continued to prepare fields on schedule.

Schnell said it remains to be seen how flooding over the weekend might have affected individual crops in those areas. Some prior flooding in the Brazos Valley area required farmers to replant crops.

“We could see problems in areas that received heavier rains, the 12-plus inch rainfalls, but a lot of croplands in other parts of the state, like the Panhandle, needed the precipitation as they prepare for planting,” he said.

Schnell said expectations could shift with the weather, especially if prolonged drought in dry areas or rains in wet areas occurred.

“It’s always about the timing,” he said. “But it looks like we’re off to a good start.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

CENTRAL: The region received 3-8 inches of rain with more rain in the forecast. Weekend storms produced excessive rainfall amounts and flooding, with county roads being closed due to overflowing creeks. Small grains have been cut for silage, but many acres were still left to cut. Pastures were in good condition, and producers fertilized heavily before the rains. Landowners would likely stay out of fields for several days to allow them to dry. Wheat and oats were laid down on the ground. Wheat crops looked good with a few instances of rust. Corn and sorghum also looked good. Tanks and all water sources were full and running over. Cattle and livestock were doing well. Temperatures were normal. All counties reported good soil moisture. Overall crop and livestock conditions were good in all counties that reported.

ROLLING PLAINS: Weather ranged from very warm and dry to cooler and wet. Parts of the region reported as much as 4.5 inches of rain and hail. There were no reports of significant damage from the hail. The moisture helped farmers who found plenty of subsoil moisture but were lacking moisture in topsoil as they prepared fields for crops. Rainfall also helped pastures and rangeland as grasses began to emerge, plus helped suppress any wildfire threat. Livestock were in good to excellent condition with plenty of grazing in pastures and winter wheat. Producers said they likely could make a wheat crop if stripe rust doesn’t become a problem. Certain wheat varieties looked really good while other varieties suffered. Some producers have been chopping green silage.

COASTAL BEND: Some areas received significant rainfall, and heavy rains were forecast. Crops began to shoot up due to the moisture received, and growing conditions were becoming more favorable in some areas. Fertilizer was applied to pasture and hay fields, and herbicide were applied to some fields. Livestock prices fell compared to earlier this year.

EAST: Conditions across the area have been windy with lower temperatures. Forages continued to transition from cool to warm season. Cool temperatures at night allowed cool-season forages to hang around and continue to make good growth. Warm-season grasses and weeds began emerging. Some producers prepared for the first hay cutting. Applications of herbicides and fertilizers continued in pastures and hay fields. Recent rainfalls improved soil moisture conditions. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were mostly adequate with only Henderson and Smith counties reporting a surplus. Pasture and range conditions were mostly good with a few counties reporting fair conditions. Smith County reported heavy rain in some areas. Peach growers were seeing problems primarily due to low chill hours on some varieties of peaches. Vegetables were making good progress in Henderson County. Growers were planting gardens. Spring cattle work was underway. Livestock were in good condition with hay and supplemental feeding decreased. Feral hog damage increased.

SOUTH PLAINS: Cochran County subsoil and topsoil conditions improved with recent rains, which was expected to improve pasture, range and winter wheat conditions as well. Producers continued to prepare for spring planting. Very small amounts of rain fell across Crosby County. Parts of Floyd County received between 0.5-2 inches of rain while southern portions of the county received no measurable precipitation. Light rain fell across Garza County with amounts ranging from 0.2-0.5 inches. Weather was mostly mild with temperatures in the 70s. More rainfall was expected in the region. Cotton fields were being prepared for May planting. Rainfall was needed to fill the soil profile enough for cotton crops to get off to a good start. Range and pastures were in fair to good condition with rainfall needed for warm season forage growth. Cattle were in mostly good condition. A few scattered showers were seen in Hale County, but no significant accumulation occurred. Measurable rain was received in Hockley County and more was expected. Field work stopped there for a few days because of rains. A severe weather event missed Lubbock County, but fields there also missed out on expected moisture. Lubbock County did receive some scattered rainfall and pea- to marble-sized hail. The majority of heavy rains and severe weather was in counties to the east. There was concern over wheat leaf and stripe rust with the recent conditions. Widespread moisture was needed prior to spring planting. Scurry County received from 2-5 inches of rain. Snyder fields were expected to be planted when it dried up enough for field work.

PANHANDLE: The region experienced near-average temperatures and some moisture in most areas. Rainfall ranged from trace amounts to 1.5 inches, but more rain was needed as soil moisture levels were mostly short. Carson County received spotty showers to heavy rains and some small hail. Collingsworth County received rain and cooler, cloudy conditions which replenished moisture levels. Areas of the county received upwards of 2 inches. Wheat and pastures looked replenished and lush thanks to the moisture. Deaf Smith County producers were hoping for a major rain event but only received rainfall amounts of less than 0.2 inches. Corn planting will probably begin soon, and irrigation pivots will run right behind the planters. The winter wheat crop was still hanging on, with the irrigated crop being watered in anticipation of shifting to the corn. Grain sorghum and cotton plantings were still in limbo. Weekend rains in Hutchinson County were beneficial for producers preparing for the upcoming crop season. Wet weather is forecast, and planting should begin soon. Randall County weather conditions remained extremely dry. Producers planted some corn and were ready to begin in other corn fields, as well as cotton and sorghum fields. Range and pasture conditions continued to be mostly fair. Cattle on range were still being supplemented and were in fair condition.

NORTH: Topsoil moisture varied from adequate to surplus. This week brought some rain to the area. Winter wheat was doing well across the counties. Some areas in some wheat fields were pretty thin. Some wheat began to head out. Corn was being planted across the counties. Bottoms remained flooded and pastures improved as temperatures increased. Livestock were doing well. Spring-born calves were growing well across the counties with the amount of winter pasture available. Horn flies started to show up in cow herds. Some grasshopper activity was reported and wild pigs were active.

FAR WEST: Parts of Glasscock County received between 0.3-1.3 inches. High winds associated with the storms toppled several telephone poles in the western part of the county while the southern part received small hail. Wheat looked good, and one last fungicide treatment may be needed on rust-susceptible varieties. Corn and sorghum was coming up, and soil moisture for the upcoming cotton crop was excellent. Howard County also received a surplus of rain and reported high winds that damaged crops, houses and barns. Preparation of cotton fields in Pecos County continued. Presidio County had cooler temperatures with freezing temperatures recorded in the northern part of the county. Most cattle were still on supplemental feeding due to very dry conditions. Reagan County received a good amount of rainfall which should improve pasture and range conditions. Ward County stayed warm and dry as spring livestock branding continued. Andrews County received light rains which benefited range and pasture conditions. Winkler and Loving counties received 0.5 inches of rain which resulted in the emergence of weeds, but range and pasture conditions looked good. Range and pasture conditions across the district were fair to good. Topsoil and subsoil moisture was surplus in the eastern part of the district and adequate in the western half of the district.

WEST CENTRAL: Most days were warm with cool nights. Rainfall was scattered to very heavy around the district. A few areas reported some hail. Producers were unable to go into the fields and evaluate crops due to wet conditions. Field conditions were expected to be unworkable for days. Tank and creeks were full from run-off. Weeds in pastures continue to be an issue. Many producers sprayed to control weeds as they prepared for warm-season grasses to emerge. Crops and fields benefitted from the rain, which will also provide a good seedbed for cotton planting next month. Some small grain fields were cut and baled. Spring seeded hay crops were planted before the rain, and more will be planted as fields dry out. Grain sorghum emerged well with recent moisture. Corn crops emerged and were in good condition. Wheat crops were in fair to good condition. Winter wheat perked up this week after the rainfall. Range and pasture conditions continued to improve. Pastures were green, and wildflowers were in full bloom. Warm-season grasses started to break dormancy. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Yearling cattle on graze-out were getting heavy and were ready to go to market as prices held steady.

SOUTHEAST: Hay producers welcomed rains in Chambers County, but the same rains will slow rice plantings down. In Walker County, the rain helped forage grasses and gardens. In Hardin County, the weather was good which allowed workable conditions in the pastures and fields. Soil-moisture levels throughout the region varied widely, mostly in the adequate to surplus range with adequate being the most common. Walker County reported 100 percent adequate. Rangeland and pasture ratings varied widely too, mostly from excellent to good, with good ratings being the most common. San Jacinto County reported 100 percent good soil moisture.

SOUTHWEST: Some areas received significant rainfall which may affect crops. Pastures looked good. However, some areas received just enough rain to enhance spring green-up. Livestock was in fair condition, and spring shearing continued.

SOUTH: The eastern parts of Atascosa County received a good amount of rain – with more expected – and 100 percent of the planted corn crop has emerged. Oat crops were in good condition, and about 90 percent of sorghum crops were planted. Corn crops in Frio County progressed well. About 25 percent of the upland cotton crops were planted. All sorghum fields were planted, and oat crops were in good condition with 100 percent headed out. Soil moisture conditions remained mostly at 100 percent for the past week, with McMullen County reporting the least adequate soil moisture at about 70 percent. In Jim Wells County, 100 percent of corn crops were emerged, 70 percent of cotton upland has been planted and 90 percent of the sorghum crop had been planted. Crops were also doing well in Kleberg and Kenedy counties, where 100 percent of the corn crops emerged, 90 percent of cotton upland was planted and 100 percent of sorghum crops were planted. Soil moisture conditions were 75-100 percent adequate in the Jim Wells County area and 70-75 percent adequate in Kleberg and Kenedy counties. Range and pastures were in good condition. Days were suitable for good range and pasture conditions in the Dimmit County area. In Zavala County, 100 percent of corn crops were emerged, 100 percent of cotton upland was planted, and oats were in good condition with 100 percent of the crop headed. All sorghum crops were planted and in good condition. Soil moisture conditions were reported at 80-85 percent adequate in Dimmit County, 50 percent adequate in Zapata County and 100 percent adequate in the Zavala County area. Producers in Hidalgo County continued to harvest sugarcane, citrus and vegetables, and row crops needed rain. Irrigation of crops picked up throughout Hidalgo County, and 100 percent of corn had emerged while 100 percent of sorghum crops have been planted. In Starr County, 100 percent of all corn was planted and in good condition. Soil moisture conditions remained adequate, with Hidalgo County reporting 100 percent adequate subsoil moisture conditions and 90 percent short topsoil moisture conditions. Starr County soil moisture conditions remained at 90 percent adequate.

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Farm & Ranch

American Lotus

Published

6 days ago

June 18, 2026

NTFR

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 82^nd 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.

Farm & Ranch

Tracks in the Sand

Published

4 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

NTFR

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.

Farm & Ranch

Leopold’s Legacy: The Five Tools That Shaped Conservation

Published

1 month ago

May 14, 2026

NTFR

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.