Saturday, February 15, 1997

Rains pave way for wheat crop this spring

By J.T. Smith / Farm Editor

With the Big Country Farm & Ranch Show in town earlier this week - and the <I>rains<I> - you could just feel the enthusiasm.

Virtually all the wheat fields that were mighty thirsty for rain going into February now have had ample rainfall.

Ranges and pastures should improve dramatically and be ready for spring green-up.

Marty Gibbs, Coleman County Extension agent, says moisture is adequate there.

"Recent rains have improved the small grain outlook," Gibbs says. "Grazing is still available."

Gibbs says there have been greenbugs in wheat, but no severe damage has been noted thus far.

Louis "Red" Chedester, Texas A&M Extension entomologist, Roby, says moisture is adequate in the Fisher County area.

Chedester says greenbugs are still active in wheat there. Some of the wheat has provided limited grazing.

Jones County is wet, wet, wet ...

Jones County is saturated.

Todd Vineyard, Jones County extension agent, Anson, reports a "surplus" of moisture in the county.

"Wheat pasture has received the much-needed precipitation," Vineyard reports.

Zachary Wilcox, Nolan County Extension agent, Sweetwater, says the moisture will benefit the wheat - most of which was in "fair to good" condition when the rains came.

Wilcox says the moisture also will be a boon to pastures. Meanwhile, some supplemental feeding of cattle by ranchers continues.

The CEA adds that the oat crop in Nolan County looks good after the rainfall.

Meanwhile, moisture has halted field activities in the region.

Mike Mauldin, Runnels County Extension agent, Ballinger, reports moisture is ample there.

"The rain which fell across the county was exceptionally beneficial for wheat," Mauldin says.

Albany area splashed with rain

The ranching country of Shackelford County has been blessed with good rainfall.

Rocky Vinson, Shackelford County ag agent, says the grain outlook is good.

"Wheat should respond to recent moisture rapidly," Vinson says. "Greenbug populations remain light."

Rocky says some good prescribed burns were made in recent weeks - that, and the rainfall - should really improve the countryside.

"Cattle are in good condition," Vinson reports.

Here in the immediate Abilene area, Taylor County Extension Agent Gary Bomar says moisture is more than adequate.

By the way - congratulations to Gary for putting together an excellent two days of seminars during the 5th annual Big Country Farm & Ranch Show. These things don't just happen, and the veteran CEA used his contacts to put together some of the top specialists in agriculture from production to marketing.

Also, my hat's off to Lindy Patton, executive vice president of the Rolling Plains Cotton Growers, Stamford, for his usual superb job of organizing the annual RPCG meeting in conjunction with the big Farm Show.

The 30-county group represents the best in the cotton industry.

Randy Carson, president of Abilene Livestock Auction, reports a powerful recovery in the cattle market. Other surrounding auction barns are witnessing the same strong demand and strength in prices as we head closer to spring.

Overall - there's plenty of enthusiasm out there.

The wonderful rains have set the stage for farmers and ranchers in 1997. With the flexibility in the farm program, it will be interesting to see the direction producers take this year.