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Farm & Ranch Happenings

published: April 2nd 2010
by: Harvey Buehring

Will April Keep The Spring Green and Growing?
    This year’s Easter Sunday was enjoyable once again.  Of course, we should rejoice in the fact that it is a blessed holy day no matter what the weather conditions.  But last year’s drought had farmers and ranchers in a totally different mind set when Easter arrived. And little did we know at that time we had nearly six more months of intensified drought conditions ahead us.
    This year in South Texas green pastures and wild flowers were still abundant over Easter weekend.  Granted, most locations south of San Antonio were in a more colorful stage of bloom a couple of weeks earlier during the mid to latter portion of March.    Compared to the conditions last Easter the scenery across the Texas country side this year is truly a heart-warming sight to behold. 
    Farmers and ranchers across South Texas are again optimistic about the up-coming seasons production potential.  Farmers in the lower Coastal Bend counties have been steadily seeding their crop land during the latter part of March.  Most of the earlier planting activity center around getting corn and grain sorghum acres seeded.
    Those crops have now emerged to a good stand.  Now growers are working to protect the tenders plants from wind damage caused by blowing sand.
    Many  farmers in the coastal counties waited for warmer soil temperatures to  improve before planting cotton.   Planted acres of cotton is expected to increase from the previous three year average, particularly in the eastern portions of Nueces, San Patrico, Kleberg and Refugio counties.  Most of the cotton planting is expected to be completed in South Texas this season by the end of the first week of April.
    For producers of warm season grass hay crops a wet winter is somewhat of a mixed blessing because it typically means that winter weeds will create problems and rob nutrients and moisture that the grass crop could use to its benefit in the spring.  The control of these weed pest is best done shortly after emergence.  At that point they have done little damage and are easy to control with a low dose of herbicide which reduces cost and is typically highly effective.   But this year when weeds were germinating pasture conditions were very wet in most locations.   That limited the use of ground spray rigs when weeds were at the optimum stage for spray treatment.  The latter part of March has had more than it share of windy days that were not suited for spray applications.  
    Mowing weeds in pastures is an option that is not limited by wind or the stage of growth of weeds.   It is an alternative that has a lot of hidden expenses.  To some it appears cheaper because they don’t factor in the cost of ownership, maintenance, and repairs on the tractor and mower.   Also with mowing the perennial, warm season weeds seldom die from getting a “hair cut” .  Another factor that is a down side of pasture mowing is the loss of desirable forage that falls to the ground in the mowing process and is not utilized by livestock. 
     This is not to say that mowing is all bad.  It is not!  In certain instances it may well be the best and most reasonable alternative.  That is particularly true if the neighbors are growing crops like cotton, sunflower and soybeans that can potentially be harmed by drift from a number of the more economical hormone-type herbicides.   Mowing eliminates the risk of drift damage.  It also leaves the pasture with a neat manicured appearance which is  very important to many operations.   But we need to remember that when all cost are figured-in, including the collateral damage desirable grass production that falls to the ground with the weeds, mowing is typically more expensive as a weed control practice than a well-timed application of an economical herbicide for those who produce quality hay.     
    Now that the soil has warmed to a favorable level for grass growth, lets hope that April showers will bring enough moisture to replenish what the weeds and winds have removed during March.  That additional moisture will be critical in the recovery of pastures this spring and summer.  Many of the desirable grass species were heavily damaged during last years drought.  
    Some pasture are candidates for re-seeding.  That practice also comes with a bigger price tag than it did, say eight to ten years age.   Land preparation is much higher today because of fuel, labor and machinery cost.  Seed is also more expensive for many of the more desirable warm-season grasses that can tolerate dry-spells and steady grazing pressure.  
    If you are considering re-seeding pasture land make sure you have ample soil moisture and are not planting in a dry seed bed going into the hot summer months.   Always start with a clean and firm seed bed with ample moisture for germination.  Those factors and high quality seed that is planted at the proper depth and seeding rate with a planting device that will insure good soil-to-seed contact will greatly improve the success of getting a good stand when re-seeding pastureland.
     Until next time, lets hope that your part of Texas remains green and productive throughout the months ahead.