Cotton is planted, emerging and growing in parts of the Lone Star State. But others are still waiting to plant.
Fields in the southern and eastern parts of the state are faring well, said Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service cotton specialist, in a recent crop report. Spring rains have also improved soil moisture profiles in West Texas and Panhandle just in time for planting.
Morgan expects cotton acreage in Texas to be down slightly from 2014, but nearly double South and East Texas planted acres in 2015, according to Southwest Farm Press.
“The 2016 crop has had its challenges with excessive rain, but nothing compared to the prolonged wet weather observed in 2015,” he said.
Down in the Rio Grande Valley, cotton is also doing well, Morgan said.
Aphids have been an issue in the area, but farmers are taking the necessary steps to eliminate them.
Morgan considers cotton in the Coastal Bend area to be in good standing right now, even though farmers had to replant due to excessive rainfall.
“Planting dates have varied a lot in the Blacklands also,” Morgan said.
He noted numerous cotton fields in Williamson and Milam counties are in the cotyledon stage, and far northern Blackland-areas are behind due to the wet spring.
Planting of irrigated cotton in the Northern Rolling Plains has started, but dryland farmers still need a rain to have sufficient moisture for planting.