Rains continue to slow fall field work

The following are condition reports from Extension officials around the state, according to the weekly Texas A&M Crop and Weather Report:

PANHANDLE: Soil moisture is mostly short across the district. Isolated thunderstorms brought rain to some areas last week, but moisture is needed to improve wheat and range conditions. Corn is still being harvested in some fields. Cotton ranges from very poor to excellent with most areas reporting fair. Cotton harvest has begun. The peanut crop is reported to be good in most areas, and the harvest continues. Sorghum and sunflower harvest continues. Most of the district's wheat is only in fair shape, as are native ranges.

SOUTH PLAINS: Mornings have been cool, with considerable warming in the afternoon and cooling in the evenings. Cotton harvest is in full swing with yields better than expected. Grain sorghum and peanut harvest continues with good yields being reported. Pumpkin harvest is still in progress but should be over soon. Winter wheat is in good condition. Wheat could use some moisture but other crop producers are enjoying the good harvest weather. Cattle remain in good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: Cooler weather has arrived across the Rolling Plains. Cotton producers are worried about getting an early freeze on their late cotton crop. Some cotton harvest has begun on a small scale, with producers defoliating only small areas. Producers are hoping no freeze occurs before early November. Livestock producers need rain, and pastures are beginning to suffer from the lack of any measurable moisture over the past month. With minimal moisture to plant on, some producers are holding off on their wheat planting until conditions improve. The wheat that was planted was mostly blown out by harsh winds across the area Livestock producers need rain, but cotton producers want dry warm weather for the next couple of weeks to complete their crop.

NORTH - not available

EAST: Recent rains eased dry conditions with many areas receiving 1-2 inches of rain. Some producers are planting less winter pasture due to the large supply of hay. The recent rains have producers anticipating good cool-season forage availability. Cattle are in good condition and calf weaning continues. Markets are somewhat weaker over all but demand remains strong. Some tree damage was reported in Henderson County caused by an Oct.15 storm that brought rain and strong winds. Nacogdoches County reported defoliation of trees by caterpillars, while Trinity County reported heavy feral hog activity.FAR WEST: Soil moisture ranges from very short to adequate across the district with range and pastures reflecting the moisture availability. Cotton and peanut crops also range from very poor to excellent. Cotton harvest aid has been applied and harvest has begun. Sorghum harvest is ongoing. Winter wheat is starting to dry out and some is not emerging because of dry conditions.

WEST CENTRAL: Cooler temperatures and very windy conditions remained all week. A few counties reported scattered showers, but dry conditions continued in most areas and wildfires are becoming a concern. Many cotton producers are defoliating crops and preparing to harvest. In some areas, cotton harvest is in full swing. A very good yield of cotton is expected. Field preparations for fall planting of small grains continues. Range and pastures continue to do well.

CENTRAL: not available

SOUTHEAST: Rainfall of up to 4 inches in places greatly benefitted pastures and provided some moisture for winter-planted annual crops.

SOUTHWEST: After an October with record high temperatures, a cold front arrived dropping temperatures to the high 40s, bringing rain showers to break a 50-day dry spell. The rain helped settle dust, but was not economically signifi- cant. The cold weather will help fall crops. Forage availability remains above average for this time of the year, but grasses are showing stress and dry soils are starting to crack. Farmers are irrigating fall crops. The cotton harvest continues, but is behind schedule. The peanut, cabbages, spinach, green bean, pickling cucumber and pecan harvests continue.

COASTAL BEND: Some rain fell early last week, and wet fields continue to be a problem where that occurred. Land preparation and field work continues for the next growing season. Ranchers are working cattle. Livestock are in good condition.

SOUTH: Citrus harvest is gaining steam and vegetable planting continues in the midparts of the region. Fall vegetable crops are progressing well. The lack of rain has stressed some of the early-planted dryland wheat and oat crops. Cotton harvest continued last week and is expected to be completed by late this week. Producers have reported good to fair yields due to the excessive rainfall early in the season. Range and pasture conditions are still good to excellent.