Recent rainfall boosts grazing pastures

Staff Photo by Barry Halvorson Packing part of this year's crop, Tifford Dickerson seals off a parcel of cotton at the Hungerford Growers Gin.

Rainfall that swept through portions of the state this week should help improve wheat pastures used for stocker cattle grazing, according to Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

Prior to the rain showers, calf prices were adjusting accordingly to slow-growing wheat pastures.

The following are condition reports from Extension offi- cials:

SOUTH PLAINS: Severe weather in Castro and Hale counties reported.

Hail destroyed some fields in the eastern portion of Castro County. In the western portion of Hale County, an estimated 30,000 acres of cotton were damaged with almost 10,000 acres lost. Structural damage to homes, vehicles, equipment and center pivot sprinkler systems from wind and hail reported. Corn harvest nearing completion with record yields reported in food corn and feed grains, corn and grain sorghum.

Cotton harvest under way with good yields reported. Grain sorghum harvest continues - good yields reported. Peanut harvest in full swing, most peanuts should be dug in next 10 days. Pumpkin harvest nearing completion and yields continue to be above average; strong demand.

Winter wheat is in good condition and growth and development steady. Pastures and ranges in fair to good condition. Cattle conditions are good with some light supplemental feeding.

EAST: Hot, dry conditions continue. Winter pastures are being planted in some areas but on smaller scale.

Other producers are waiting on rainfall before planting. Winter pastures in the ground are suffering from too little moisture. Hay baling continues, but coming to an end with good yields and fair quality. Cattle are in good condition.

In Wood County, horn flies still a problem, but armyworm problems have decreased. Calf weaning continues with beef prices declining somewhat. Homeowners winterizing lawns.

SOUTHEAST: Most of the fields in the county received rainfall, which should increase topsoil moisture for planting of winter grasses. Soil moisture too short to do much planting. Temperatures are cool enough to encourage planting activity. Most first crop rice has been harvested. Preparations for second crop are under way.

COASTAL BEND: Cotton harvest is nearing completion. Rain delayed harvest of late fields for some producers. The late cotton fields are producing better yields than earlier harvest reports. Hay - though plentiful - is being cut. Livestock in good condition.

SOUTH: Soil moisture conditions throughout most of the region still adequate. Vegetable planting activities continued in the central portions of the region. Sugarcane harvesting for the season has begun. Spinach, cabbage and onion planting active west of the region. Oat and wheat producers busy pre-watering for planting crops, while dryland producers holding off for a chance of rainfall to help begin planting. Range and pasture conditions have been ideal for grazing with a combination of warm season forage and early growing and cool season vegetation. Good to excellent livestock conditions remain as a result of good vegetation.