I hope you were some of the fortunate who received rainfall over the last week. Recent systems have generally favored the east side of the region. Forecasters have some modest rain chances for this upcoming weekend and early next week, so let’s hope that actually happens.
Attached are the TX Panhandle and Southern HP Planting Conditions Forecasts for this week. Here are some highlights:
TX Panhandle Planting Conditions Forecast:
- Colder temperatures are the trend for this week.
- Time to park the planters in the panhandle until early next week.
- Soil temperatures in the Panhandle at 8” generally in the mid-60s; when warmer air temperatures return, the seedbed should warm quickly.
Click on the image above to download the PDF.
Southern HP Planting Conditions Forecast:
- Plainview: similar to the Panhandle locations, I recommend waiting until at least Saturday (5/11) or preferably later (hopefully we get some rain by then).
- Lubbock: Monday through Wednesday this week (5/6 through 5/8) look tempting to plant cotton, but the cooler temps later this week and into the weekend cause concern. Monday, 5/13, brings warmer temperatures and hopefully moisture. Next week is when most growers will consider starting traditionally, and I am hopeful that conditions will improve by that time.
- Lamesa: Similar to Lubbock, conditions at Lamesa look very tempting Monday through Wednesday this week (5/6 through 5/8) to plant. But cooler temps are forecasted for later this week and into the weekend with increasing chances of rain. A warming trend is forecasted for next week. Again, our data indicate that latter May and early June have produced higher yields in the entire area south of Lubbock, so we have plenty of time to plant the crop.
- Soil temperatures in the Southern High Plains are in the mid-60s to lower 70s; when warmer air temperatures return, the seedbed should warm quickly.
Click on the image above to download the PDF.
If you want your specific location (down to the field level), you can access your own tailored planting conditions forecast on demand with a calculator from North Carolina State University. Go to: https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/ag/cotton-planting/ The map will default to a location in NC, but you can scroll the map to your specific location and click on a field. Click ‘submit’ and the tool will provide a 2-day planting conditions forecast with commentary.