High fertilizer prices and dry weather have many Texas wheat farmers facing critical decisions regarding the viability and profitability of their crop, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Calvin Trostle, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist, Lubbock, said wheat producers around the state, especially those in areas experiencing drought, need to consider ways to minimize inputs and maximize crop output potential.
Trostle said wheat producers in the Texas High Plains are dealing with extreme to severe drought and face a decision on whether dryland fields are worth saving. Many laterplanted fields across the region have not emerged, and dryland field trial wheat plots Trostle planted Nov. 5 have only produced about a 2% stand so far.
Earlier-planted fields around the region have fared better and are at least established, he said, but still need rainfall badly.
“Producers are talking about input prices, especially fertilizer, and the potential for their wheat,” he said. “Wheat may look like it’s not worth saving, but we’ve been surprised in the past. Wheat is tough and can take off, but it will need moisture at some point.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summary for the Central Texas district:
Dry conditions continued but rainfall was in the forecast. Isolated small wildfires occurred. Burning bans were in effect. Fields were prepped for corn planting. Heavy frost occurred over the past two weeks, which resulted in Bermuda grass pastures finally going dormant. The heavy frosts damaged winter oat fields that were at or approaching elongation stage. Oat tops were browning with no available soil moisture to recover. Grazing quality and quantity was impacted and will be slower to recover. Winter wheat also showed frost damage on the upper leaves but much less than winter oat fields. Growers were waiting for cold conditions to promote successful preemergence herbicide applications to pastures with sandburs and other spring-germinating broadleaf weeds. Seeds for certain cotton varieties were booked, and growers were looking for decent alternatives and herbicides because availability may be an issue. Fertilizer prices were up 200% from last year, and crop prices had not improved, which may impact corn acres and/or yields. Stock tanks were showing major level drops throughout the fall and winter. Supplemental feeding was necessary for all livestock.