Parched sorghum crop withers under blistering heat

Published: Sunday, July 22, 2001

COLLEGE STATION {AP}— Dry conditions throughout Texas have caused the sorghum crop to suffer, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service reports.

Travis Miller, extension agronomist in College Station, said producers across Texas have seen a low yield because of drought conditions.

"The far South region had an extremely short crop," Miller said. "The sorghum crop in the Plains hasn't been harvested yet, but it is suffering from the drought and we don't know how well it will turn out."

Miller said the sorghum crop in Central Texas is being harvested with an excellent yield. Sorghum is a warm weather crop that usually fares well in drought conditions, Miller said.

"We typically plant sorghum after we plant corn and cotton," Miller said. "It is more drought tolerant and that's why it is popular in areas where drought enters into the equation."

Sorghum, a grass crop that producers in Texas harvest for grain, is exported to other countries for use as food and feed.

"While in the United States sorghum is used for feed and hay, worldwide it is a food crop and a popular feed source for poultry," Miller said. "In the United States, we use sorghum primarily for feed, but in many countries they make bread and tortillas with it."

Miller said Texas is usually No. 1 or No. 2 in the United States in sorghum production, and that the crop is grown throughout the state.

"The biggest sorghum crop is in the Gulf Coast from the Rio Grande Valley north to Wharton," Miller said.

Calvin Trostle, extension agronomist in Lubbock, said conditions have been typically hot and dry, causing stress on this year's sorghum crop.

"The early planted sorghum was planted when we had good soil moisture, and it did well but now lacks the moisture during grain fill to make a decent crop," Trostle said. "The late planted crop is suffering from lack of rain."

Trostle hopes rain will come soon enough to save the late planted sorghum, which will be harvested in September. Although producers are concerned with the lack of moisture, Miller said insects and disease haven't caused too many concerns this year.

"The crop in South Texas had some charcoal rot, which causes stalks to fall over. Charcoal rot is often present in drought," Miller said. "Overall, I don't think disease and insects have been a major consideration in the crop."

Jett Major, district extension director in the South Plains, reported that early planted sorghum is now in bloom but replanted sorghum has not received enough moisture and is now drought-stressed.

In the Panhandle, Bob Robinson, district extension director, reported that dryland sorghum has died and the remainder is severely moisture stressed.


PANHANDLE: Soil moisture is short to very short. Sorghum rated mostly fair to good. Some dryland sorghum has died and the remainder is severely moisture stressed. Onions are being harvested. Carrots, beans and peas are doing well. Corn is being heavily irrigated.

SOUTH PLAINS: Soil moisture is very short. Cotton in fair condition. Sorghum is in fair to good condition. Early planted sorghum is now in bloom. Replanted sorghum has not received any rainfall and is drought-stressed. Sunflower fields in good condition.

ROLLING PLAINS: Soil moisture is short to very short. Cotton needs rain and is wilting during the heat of the day. Karnal Bunt is a topic of concern. Grasshopper damage is heavy in some areas. Dryland peanuts are in need of rain.

NORTH TEXAS: Soil moisture is very short to adequate. Crops need rain. High insect pressure in all areas. Spotty sorghum fields will interfere with yields. Peaches continue to do well with little insect damage. Grasshoppers are a significant problem.

FAR WEST TEXAS: Soil moisture is short. Dryland cotton is in severe water stress. Most planted sorghum has not yet emerged and needs moisture. Watermelon and cantaloupe harvest is in full swing. Pecans making good growth. Onion harvest is complete.

WEST CENTRAL TEXAS: Soil moisture is very short to short. Dry conditions have caused wildfire warnings. Cotton fields are progressing well. Sorghum planting is complete. Plants are showing drought stress and some prussic acid is showing up. Peach harvest almost complete.