Berrys Picks

I am seeing more Texas Squaw weed than I remember in many years. While there are lots of yellow flowered weeds, most of what we are seeing is either Texas Groundsel, commonly called Texas Squaw-Weed or Tansy Mustard.

I see the Squaw-Weed more in hay fields and the Tansy Mustard in ditches and other undisturbed areas. Both can appear anywhere, but they really like our sandy soil.

The good rainfall and soil moisture we have had this spring has resulted in the abundance of these plants as well as many other spring annual weeds.

While it has been nice to see something green this spring and the yellow flowers are pretty, both yellowed flowered plants are considered toxic to cattle.

The Squaw-Weed is a little more toxic than the Tansy Mustard which is only moderately toxic.

Poisoning of cattle with both species is uncommon and can be reduced by providing hay and supplemental feed. Cattle would typically only graze the plant during the rosette stage and then only if hungry.

Though they are both considered toxic, to be honest I have never heard of any cattle deaths because of these two weeds.

Both are also now out of the rosette stage, and it is unlikely cattle will graze them anymore this year.

Goats and sheep will help control them in rangeland and pastures without any negative effects.

It is too late to spray either of these weeds leaving your only options to either let them run their course or to shred them.

Occasionally we have a year where we have a hard time getting enough chill hours for good fruit tree production.

The closest weather station to us that keeps up with chill hours is at San Saba. The current chill hours recorded at that station is 609 hours, I feel like we are pretty close to the same. That is a little short for our area, but hopefully close enough for most fruit trees. Most of the peach trees planted in our area require 600 to 800 chill hours for good fruit production.

Chilling hours for plums, pears, and other fruit trees can vary, but most are 700 hours or less.

Most vineyards only require 150 chill hours. As you can see, we are on the borderline for chill hours this year, we will have to wait to see what effect it has on production if any.