Texas peach and blackberry producers are reporting above-average fruit sets, good growing conditions and very few issues as they near harvests, and are expecting high demand, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Uvalde, said there was fear among growers that Winter Storm Uri might impact Texas peach production significantly, but all signs point to an above-average crop. Blackberries, another significant fruit crop for the state, were also expected to produce a bumper crop.
“I wasn’t sure there would be a crop this year, but barring any unforeseen weather calamities, Texas producers are expecting a good crop in both quality and quantity,” Stein said.
Conditions have been good overall since the freeze for Texas’ fruit crop, Stein said. Dry conditions helped trees avoid disease issues, and timely rains have provided good additional moisture as fruit begins to fill out. So far, spring storms have produced minimal hail and turbulent winds that can cause yield loss.
While some early peach varieties and trees actively emerging from winter or that had opening blooms suffered crop loss and some tree damage or kills, Stein said Texas’ commercial production orchards fared well. But it will likely be next year before producers truly know the extent of any tree damage suffered during Winter Storm Uri.
“The extent of tree tissue injury is the only unknown,” Stein said. “Will those injuries be significant? When the heat sets in, will they still be able to transfer moisture? If not, we could see some more dead trees, but I think most trees that made it through the freeze and set fruit are showing signs that they are OK.”
CENTRAL District:
Soil moisture levels continued to improve. The emergence of cotton and forage grasses and replanted corn were excellent. Pastures looked good, and livestock were doing well. Stock tanks were filling somewhat. Winter wheat and oats that suffered freeze damage filled well. Most winter wheat turned color and was maturing rapidly.