May 1, 2023

Combines started running in South Texas between Corpus Christi and Uvalde on Saturday, April 29. Elevators were expecting first loads this week. Initial reports were good, with custom harvesters reporting 20-50 bushels per acre.

May 2, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, wheat progressed nicely thanks to moisture and warm daytime temperatures. Fields with significant Hessian fly damage were being assessed. In the Coastal Bend region, leaf smut was reported in wheat, but fungicide treatment was not necessary yet. Wheat harvest should begin in two weeks with warmer, drier days. In the South Plains, farmers were spraying wheat to prepare the ground for cotton planting. Producers were struggling to irrigate enough. Some winter wheat was being harvested for hay. In the Panhandle, most dryland wheat fields failed. Some producers were moving cattle to wheat in hopes of grazing it. Wheat crop conditions were improving with the moisture and maturing in North Texas. In the southwest, row crops looked good, and some producers were starting to harvest wheat. Rust was in the wheat and producers were spraying. Wheat and oat crops continued to mature or dry down, and field preparations for harvest were underway in South Texas.

May 3, 2023

According to Gulf Coast Cooperative in Corpus Christi, harvest had been well underway until rains slowed progress. Yields were 20-30 bushels per acre and test weights were 59-60 pounds per bushel. Many producers were trucking grain to Houston due to better transportation costs.

May 9, 2023

Harvest activity along the Coastal Bend had slowed significantly due to rain. Yields dropped slightly to 18-20 bushels per acre and test weights were about 59 pounds per bushel. Harvest was about 80% complete if additional rains are received, as producers will struggle to get equipment into fields.

Custom harvesters reported yields of 35-40 bushels per acre in the Rio Grande Valley.

May 10, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, some hail damage to wheat was reported. Wheat was maturing but will need a few weeks before harvesting begins. Forecasted rainfall was a concern for rapidly maturing wheat. In the Rolling Plains, stocker calves were starting to be shipped off winter wheat grazing, and many counties were reporting wheat being cut for hay, as well as the first spring hay cutting. Farmers were spraying wheat to get ready for cotton planting at the end of the month in the South Plains. In the Panhandle, recent rains improved pastures, rangeland and winter wheat and oat fields, but their overall condition was very poor to fair. Winter wheat looked good and leaf rust was reported in wheat in North Texas. In the far west, dryland wheat and cover crops were extremely poor. However, irrigated wheat looked decent. Wheat was maturing quickly, and many wheat and oat acres were baled for hay in the west central region. In the southwest, wheat harvesting was right around the corner.

May 16, 2023

Harvest was progressing slowly in South Texas and the Coastal Bend. Warmer, drier days were forecast for the end of the week and many producers were hoping to finish once field conditions were workable. Harvest in the Central Texas region was not expected to begin until June 1.

According to TEMCO (Cargill) Houston, test weights had been dropping due to the heavy moisture, although about 45% of loads had test weights of 60 pounds per bushel and above. Protein ranged from 13-19%, with very few loads in the 12% range. Producers had not seen any sprout damage, but were concerned about the potential.

May 17, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, wheat fields were coloring and continued to dry down, but recent moisture caused concerns about sprouting in early maturing varieties. Harvest was expected to begin in the coming weeks. Wheat across the Rolling Plains looked close to harvest. Wheat fields were drying down and producers were reporting issues with thrips and stink bugs in the South Plains. In the Panhandle, most dryland wheat failed and was adjusted by insurance. Irrigated producers continued to apply water to wheat. Wheat looked good in North Texas. In the west central region,  wheat conditions were fair to good. Grain wheat fields were being harvested or nearing harvest. Some hail damage in wheat fields was reported.

May 19, 2023

There were some test cuts in the Rolling Plains mid-week, but the rains delayed further progress. Test cutting began in the southern Blacklands.

May 22, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 5% complete, compared to 10% last year.

Harvest began in the Rolling Plains around Throckmorton on Sunday, May 21. Yields were 30-45 bushels per acre and test weights were 62-63 pounds per bushel. Rain was forecast, so producers expected to slow down throughout the week.

May 23, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, wheat and oat fields were mature; however, harvesting was very limited due to the moisture. Winter wheat was starting to die in the field. In the Rolling Plains, rains delayed wheat harvest, but most producers looked as though they would get started soon. Wheat, corn, grain sorghum, soybeans and cotton all looked good in North Texas. In the west central region, wheat farmers were harvesting grain, and fair yields were reported. Some wheat producers reported above-average yields. Oats and wheat harvest were underway, but some producers were delayed by rain in the southwest. In South Texas, wheat harvest was delayed, and delays were expected to impact yields.

May 24, 2023

Some harvest progressed around San Angelo, Wind Gap and Haskell. Producers continued to be pleased with quality.

May 26, 2023

Harvest was finished up in the Rio Grande Valley and along the Coastal Bend. Rain lowered test weights slightly but there was no significant sprout damage. Harvest began in Central Texas as far north as Waco. Test weights averaged 58-59 pounds per bushel and yields ranged from 30-50 bushels per acre. Protein was high but widely variable, from 10-19%. Producers in the Wichita Falls area expected harvest to start next week.

May 30, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 18% complete, compared to 20% last year.

Harvest progressed in the Rolling Plains and Blacklands. In the Rolling Plains, yields were good at 30-50 bushels per acre and test weights were 62-63 pounds per bushel. Protein was above average, but variable. The Attebury Grain facility in Wichita Falls began taking in loads. In the Blacklands, dryland yields were 30 bushels per acre and irrigated yields were 40-60 bushels per acre. Hessian fly damage was present. Soft red winter wheat harvest would begin soon.

May 31, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, wheat quality was standing well and holding on without sprouting, however any additional rain may result in further harvesting delays. In the Rolling Plains, wheat grain harvest was delayed in most areas due to the rainfall and ground moisture. Some wheat was able to be harvested, but producers in most areas were waiting for drier weather. Wheat was in fair to excellent condition with harvesting underway in the South Plains. In the Panhandle, winter wheat and sorghum conditions were poor to fair. Winter wheat was close to being harvested in North Texas. Wheat was drying down and should be ready to harvest soon in the far west region. In the west central region, wet conditions halted most planting activities and other fieldwork including wheat harvesting. There were some concerns about sprouting in wheat. In the southwest, dry weather was needed to get the wheat crop out before it starts falling over or sprouting. Wheat harvest continued in South Texas.

June 5, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 29% complete, compared to 34% last year.

June 6, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, wheat harvest continued with yields ranging from 29-80 bushels per acre with many producers reporting 70 bushels per acre. In the Rolling Plains, heavier rains in some areas slowed or stopped wheat harvest until ground conditions dry. Wheat was either terminated or awaited harvest, and fields need to dry down before equipment can begin in the South Plains. In the Panhandle, the rain has set back planting dates, but the moisture was much needed for finishing wheat and rangeland forage growth. Rangeland conditions were improving, and late-season wheat development was excellent. Winter wheat was being harvested in North Texas. In the west central region, wheat harvest continued, but fields needed to dry out for many producers to enter. There was a report of 12 bushels per acre of wheat. In the south and southwest, wheat harvest was in full swing.

June 7, 2023

Harvest in South and Central Texas was wrapping up. Test weights were lower at 55 pounds per bushel or better. No sprout damage had been reported yet.

Harvest continued through the Blacklands and Rolling Plains. Yields in the Rolling Plains were excellent, averaging 50 bushels per acre around Abilene and up to 95 bushels per acre around Wichita Falls. Test weights were 58-63 pounds per bushel. In the Blacklands, yields were 40-60 bushels per acre. Protein was above-average at 11.5-15%. Moisture was relatively high at 13.5%. The area was approximately 30-50% complete with harvest.

June 9, 2023

Farmers were about 50% complete with wheat harvest in Wilbarger and Foard counties. Yields averaged 30-35 bushels per acre, with some as high as 65 bushels per acre. Test weights were 62-63 pounds per bushel. With warm and dry weather in the forecast for parts of the Panhandle, the crop was expected to mature quickly.

June 11, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 42% complete, compared to 51% last year.

June 13, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, wheat and oat harvests were nearly complete. Wheat yields from fields with heavy Hessian fly pressure were one-third lower than fields with little to no insect pressure. Good yields were coming in at 50-70 bushels per acre. In the Rolling Plains, areas that remained dry proceeded with wheat harvest. Many counties reported better-than-expected wheat yields. Wheat fields were harvested, and yields were fair to good in the Coastal Bend. Wheat was still maturing, but some fields were beginning to turn color in the Panhandle. In the west central region, producers were harvesting wheat, preparing fields and shredding pastures where they could. Wheat and oats were harvested in the southwest.

June 14, 2023

Producers in the Vernon area were 60% complete with wheat harvest, while other parts of the Rolling Plains were 90% complete. Yields were above-average and test weights were good.

Soft red winter wheat harvest was nearing completion. Some yields were below average, although still better than expected, and some yields were above average at 65 bushels per acre.

Producers in the South Plains expected harvest to begin next week. Harvest in the Panhandle was likely two weeks away.

June 16, 2023

Sprout damage was widespread in South Texas as producers finished harvest, up to 65%. Some producers were also concerned about the possibility of sprout damage in the western Rolling Plains.

June 19, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 62% complete, compared to 69% last year.

June 20, 2023

Producers reported that harvest was about 75% complete across the Rolling Plains. Yields varied from 30-65 bushels per acre.

June 21, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In Central Texas, the wheat harvest was complete with varying yields. In the Rolling Plains, several counties reported better-than-expected wheat harvest yields and test weights. The wheat grain harvest should begin in the next few weeks in the Panhandle. Winter wheat was being harvested in North Texas. In the west central region, wheat fields were being harvested for grain with reports of 30-55 bushels per acre. Some wheat fields were plowed.

June 22, 2023

Harvest moved north into the South Plains and Panhandle. In the Lubbock area, test weights were just over 59 pounds per bushel and protein was 10-12%. Yields were better than expected.

East of Amarillo, test weights were 61-62 pounds per bushel. Protein was 11.5-14%. Yields on dryland wheat ranged from 12-45 bushels per acre. Producers expected to harvest irrigated week over the weekend and into next week.

June 23, 2023

Yields in the South Plains were 8-25 bushels per acre on dryland and 40-50 on irrigated. Test weights were 60.5-62 pounds per bushel.

Some moisture overnight delayed harvest east of Amarillo.

June 26, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 74% complete, compared to 75% last year.

Producers in Terry County reported that dryland yields were14-25 bushels per acre and irrigated yields were up to 60 bushels per acre. Hail damage lowered yields approximately 5 bushels per acre.

June 27, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: In the Rolling Plains, several counties reported a better-than-expected wheat harvest. Some wheat was still being harvested for grain in the South Plains. In the Panhandle, wheat acres left to harvest were taken over by weeds. Wheat and oats were harvested in North Texas. In the far west region, wheat harvest began, and yields were disappointing. In the west central region, most wheat was harvested with yields averaging over 30 bushels per acre.

June 28, 2023

Producers were harvesting across the Panhandle. Protein was 13-14% and test weights averaged 62 pounds per bushel. Dryland yields were 15 to 50 bushels per acre and irrigated yields topped out at 100 bushels per acre on well managed ground.

July 3, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 86% complete, compared to 92% last year.

July 5, 2023

According to the Texas Crop and Weather Report: The wheat harvest was winding down in Central Texas. In the Rolling Plains, wheat harvest and cotton planting were completed. In the Panhandle, wheat harvest was underway with average to slightly above average yields in irrigated fields. Wheat, corn, grain sorghum and soybeans all looked good in North Texas. Wheat harvest was complete in the west central region.

July 6, 2023

Harvest was approximately 70% complete in the Panhandle as some rains moved through. Producers continued to see better-than-expected yields, although yields declined in areas where drought had been more significant. Some dryland acres had significant weed pressure.

July 17, 2023

According to the NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Report, harvest was 100% complete.