Wheat production across Texas looks better than in years past, providing producers some optimism despite low wheat prices. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialists said several opportunities could exist for cashing in on good forage.
Mark Welch, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension economist-grain marketing in the Texas A&M Department of Agricultural Economics, said while the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t start its national winter wheat conditions reports until April 1, updates from the Southern Plains, which include the biggest winter wheat-producing states – Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado – are showing conditions are really good, much improved from last year.
“We’re setting ourselves up for what could be a really good winter wheat crop,” Welch said. “Prices have struggled for several years now, with the lowest wheat prices in three years, but the counterbalance to that is what the production possibilities might be. If we are looking at dollars per acre, how much does the improved production prospects make up for weakness in the price outlook.”
Welch said the wheat price outlook is tough and still revolves around Russia. A couple of years ago, there was concern about the invasion of Ukraine. Wheat prices skyrocketed over concerns about production and participation in the global grain markets.
“But since then, Russia is supplying record wheat exports at really cheap prices,” Welch said. “That’s the overall price-depressing feature of the world market.”
The area received rain measuring up to 3 inches in some areas, but some areas still needed more to fill tanks, rivers and lakes. Temperatures remained warm throughout the week. Pastures were green due to warm-season forages breaking dormancy and actively growing. Trees broke winter dormancy and began to green up. The weather encouraged small grain and native pasture growth. Producers completed or prepared for spraying weeds and fertilizing hay fields. Corn and sorghum started to emerge, and sorghum had a good stand. Some oats began to head out, while wheat was still a few weeks from heading. Some producers sprayed for rust in wheat as rust became a greater threat due to recent weather patterns. Those weather patterns also pushed back many farmers from planting sorghum. The cattle market was very strong for lightweight cattle, slaughter cattle and packers. Some supplemental feeding was carried out. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Some wheat and oats were grazed.