Friday, December 19, 1997

Let the rain come even if it gets messy this weekend

By J.T. Smith / Abilene Reporter-News

John Turner (widely known as rock 'n' roll weatherman Stubby Baldwin) met me on the stairway of the Reporter-News lobby and paused to give me the forecast.

"It's going to get bad -- and I mean bad -- this weekend," Stubby allowed.

With seven stock shows in the area Saturday, I wasn't surprised.

Stubby said it was some more of El Nino...originating from Honolulu or thereabouts.

"I think they're calling it the Pineapple Express," Stubby said.

Wheat growers and cattlemen would welcome rain

Stubby noted there could be some "messy" moisture mixed with a cold invasion.

With a bumper cotton crop virtually harvested, farmers and ranchers would welcome the much-needed moisture.

Taylor County Extension Agent Gary Bomar of Abilene said moisture has become short here.

Bomar allows that almost all of the cotton in the county has been harvested.

"Most wheat that was planted is emerging but needs more moisture" Bomar reported.

Bomar said some greenbugs are now being found in area wheat.

Most of the pecans have been harvested, and the crop was great this season, Bomar noted.

Down in Brown County, Lonnie Jenschke said greenbugs also are being found in wheat fields.

Jenschke said moisture has been short in the Brownwood area.

The CEA indicated that both wheat and oat fields could benefit from a timely rain.

Over in Jones County, CEA Todd Vineyard of Anson said cotton yields and quality have been excellent.

But he said winter wheat pasture has been at a standstill.

"Only a few stocker cattle are turned out on wheat (grazing)," Vineyard reported.

Zachary Wilcox, CEA for Nolan County, said the cotton harvest is winding down with some major cotton yields reported there.

Many producers already have finished cotton harvest and are shredding cotton stalks and plowing them under in the Sweetwater and Roscoe area. This should help with the boll weevil battle.

But there is concern over the grain crop.

"Most wheat is suffering from lack of moisture," Wilcox said.

To the south, moisture also has been short in the Winters and Ballinger area.

Mike Mauldin, Runnels County ag agent, said rain would boost the spirits there.

"Cotton harvest is all but complete," Mauldin said. "The weather has been perfect. Yields were better than expected."

But the wheat and oat crops desperately need rain, Mauldin said.

So if radio weatherman Stubby is on target about things getting bad this weekend....

Then bad is good.