Writer: Ellen Klostermann, (979) 862-1556,workn1@tamu.edu
Contact: Edith Chenault, (979) 845-2886,e-chenault1@tamu.edu
COLLEGE STATION – Cooler temperatures are helping put the finishing touches on the Texas spinach crop, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.
A warmer-than-usual fall made for a less-than-ideal growing season, said Jose Peña, Extension economist in Uvalde.
“The recent warm weather with high humidity caused above-average disease incidence in the crop,” he said. The warm weather has also contributed to unusually heavy worm problems throughout the region.
But “the recent cool weather should reduce disease problems, improve quality and increase yields,” Peña said.
The freeze that occurred a week ago was both beneficial and detrimental to the spinach, said Marcelino Valdez, Extension agent in Zavala County. “Fresh market spinach quality is fair due to a good freeze that we had in the region about a week ago.”
On the plus side, the region has experienced considerably less problems with insects, he said.
Ideal growing conditions include cool, sunny days with adequate soil moisture.
The spinach currently harvested is being sold on the fresh market. Farmers started planting the spinach in late September.
“There are about 1,500 acres of fresh market spinach, and a little over 2,500 acres of processed spinach planted in this area,” said Valdez.
“The difference between fresh market and processed spinach is mainly in the leaves. Fresh market spinach leaves are crinkly, whereas processed spinach leaves are more flat and smooth,” Pena said.
Most of the spinach in the state is grown in the Winter Garden in Southwest Texas, Pena said.
“Spinach planting in Southwest Texas normally begins in late September, with planting staggered from fall through late winter,” Pena said. “This is so we have steady spinach supplies starting from around the middle of November through mid-March.”
Currently, yields are slightly lower than last year. Despite this, farmers should be pleased with prices.
“Prices for spinach for the fresh market have been slightly above last year. Prices for the spinach for the processed market are about the same as last year,” Peña said.
“Processed spinach is currently selling for about $78 per ton, whereas fresh market spinach is selling for about $10 per 30-pound plastic container,” Pena said.
Texas leads the nation in fresh spinach production, but falls second behind California in processed spinach production.
In other parts of Texas, producers are busy getting warm-season crops out of the field and are preparing land for winter planting.
Dr. Dale Fritz, district Extension administrator in Bryan, said growers continue harvesting pecans before the next rain in Southeast Texas.
According to Jett Major, district Extension administrator in Lubbock, cotton and sorghum harvest is wrapping up with good quality and yields.
The following specific livestock, crop and weather conditions were reported by district:
PANHANDLE: soil moisture very short to adequate. Sorghum harvest continues. Cotton harvest continues with good yields. Wheat is rated fair to good but is in need of rainfall. Wheat pasture is rated excellent in most areas. Greenbugs have been reported in a few isolated fields. Range condition is mostly poor to fair. Cattle are rated in good condition.
SOUTH PLAINS: soil moisture short. Field operations have resumed after freeze. Cotton and sorghum harvest should be completed within 10 days; yields continue to be above-average. Peanut harvest is almost complete. Winter wheat is in fair to good condition, but needs moisture. Ranges and pastures are in poor to fair condition. Supplemental feeding continues.
ROLLING PLAINS: soil moisture short to adequate. Majority of wheat crop is in fair condition but needs rainfall. Pecan crop has been above-average. Range and pasture conditions continue to deteriorate due to lack of rainfall. The recent freeze has put all the summer grasses into annual dormancy. Livestock conditions are fair with supplemental feeding increasing due to freeze.
NORTH TEXAS: soil moisture short to adequate to surplus. Wheat is rated fair to excellent. Soybean and sorghum harvest is complete. Pecan harvest continues. Cotton harvest is coming to a close. Winter pastures are still in need of moisture. Some ryegrass has been lost due to dry conditions. Pasture and range are rated poor to fair.
EAST TEXAS: soil moisture adequate. Colder temperatures; no rainfall. Summer pasture growth was halted by frosts. Winter pastures are improving. Livestock conditions remain good; hay and supplemental feeding is under way.
FAR WEST TEXAS: soil moisture very short to adequate. Pasture and range conditions are poor due to lack of rainfall.
WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture short to adequate. Temperatures dropped this week into the teens at night bringing the season’s first hard freeze. Most cotton has been sprayed and is ready for harvest. Green bugs continue to be a problem. Livestock remain in good condition. Some producers have begun supplemental feeding.
CENTRAL TEXAS: soil moisture short. First killing frost was received this week. There has been some insect pressure on small grains. Livestock producers are feeding cattle additional hay.
SOUTHEAST TEXAS: soil moisture adequate. Temperatures have been near normal. Pecan growers are busy harvesting before the next rain. Winter pastures benefitted from rain; condition is improving. Wheat is looking good. Fall land preparation continues. Cattle prices are strong.
SOUTHWEST TEXAS: soil moisture adequate. High winds are causing problems for pastures and ranges. Region remains green with above-average forage conditions for this time of year. Small grain planting is almost complete. Spring wheat will be planted in January. Harvest of spinach, cabbage, pickling cucumbers and other winter vegetables continues. Pecan harvest is complete.
COASTAL BEND: soil moisture adequate. Weather has been dry with cool temperatures. Field activities are under way, including fertilizing and winter herbicide applications. Pastures are in excellent shape. Livestock is in good condition.
SOUTH TEXAS: soil moisture adequate. Conditions have been mild. Preparation of fields for spring planting continues. Citrus harvest is in full swing. Sugarcane harvest continues.
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