Thursday, August 21, 1997

Some 100-degree readings remind folks it's summer

By J.T. SMITH / Abilene Reporter-News

With most area schools having been open for almost a couple of weeks now, it some times takes some 100-degree days (as experienced this week) to remind folks that there's still more than a month of summer still to go.

Indeed, there were about six weeks of summer left when most public schools reopened their doors for the so-called "fall" semester last week.

Even today, there is still more than a month. (In fact, there's a month and a day - to be precise - since the first day of autumn officially falls on Sept. 22 this year).

Put all the pre-season football on television that you want. Make the kids go back to school. It's still summer. And farmers can tell you that.

Scott Anderson, Brown County Extension agent, reports that moisture is still adequate there.

Anderson notes that peanuts are progressing well, especially irrigated acreage that can take the heat better.

Most grain sorghum plants have headed out there.

Moisture short in Callahan County

Robert Pritz, Callahan County Extension agent, Baird, said moisture has become short there.

Nevertheless, pastures and ranges are holding up well at this point. Grass production also has been good.

Pritz reports a heavy load of pecans with few insect problems at this time.

Mike Mauldin, veteran Runnels County ag agent, said moisture has become short in his Ballinger area.

Mauldin reports that insects are causing problems in some cotton.

"Aphids, bollworms, and budworms are causing damage at this point," Mauldin reports.

Some of the cotton fields have produced all the harvestable bolls that the plants will produce this year as the cotton is cutting out.

Mauldin notes that grain sorghum harvest is near in the Ballinger area.

"Yields should be pretty good," Mauldin said.

Albany area in excellent shape

The Shackelford County area is fortunate to have caught several good rains in August at Albany.

Rocky Vinson, Shackelford County Extension agent, reports good to surplus moisture there.

The countryside near Albany looks mighty good for August.

"Range grass is responding quickly to recent rains," Vinson said.

Vinson said the mid-summer blessing all began back when from 3 to 5 inches of rain was received in Shackelford County on Aug. 6-7.

Numerous showers have followed since in later August.