Crop and Weather

Texas wine grape growers wrapped up an early, weather-battered 2026 harvest that Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts forecast to be an outstanding vintage. Widespread spring frost, heavy disease pressure and a long stretch of summer heat and drought made for another challenging season, but growers who kept ahead of the problems ...

Texas aquaculture remains steady despite seasonal challenges of drought and excessive heat faced by many producers, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.   “Not much new has happened in Texas aquaculture in the last year — no new farms, no new species added, no new laws or regulations — and ...

Based on available population surveys and precipitation trends across much of the state, hunters can anticipate an average-to-good fall hunting season across key game species, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. This relatively positive outlook comes at a time of heightened concern for wildlife following confirmed cases of New World screwworm in ...

Texas rice crop harvest continues with steady yields and relatively mild insect pressure, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. Going into the crop season, challenges such as insect pressure and market prices were concerns, but producers are optimistic as harvest rolls on, said Sam Rustom, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist and ...

The 2025-2026 Texas wheat season was characterized by drought and heat stress as well as viral and fungal infections across the state, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist. Sporadic rainfall around planting allowed for good and quick establishment in some areas, while drought conditions prevented germination until February in ...

Texas rice producers enter a new crop year with a watchful eye on prices, yield potential and the threat of rice delphacid, an invasive planthopper that wreaked havoc on the 2025 crop, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts. “The Texas rice crop is showing great progress as we reach the midpoint of ...

The combination of a late freeze and a lack of chill hours will likely lead to reduced fruit yields across the state, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Tim Hartmann, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension statewide fruit specialist and assistant professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of ...

Texas producers of crops, including hay are facing a sharp rise in fertilizer costs this spring, adding pressure to already tight margins as global instability continues to ripple through agricultural commodity markets. Fertilizer prices, which remained relatively steady early in the year, began climbing in March amid escalating conflict in ...

Texas ornamental horticulture remains a national leader with positive prospects for both industry producers and consumers despite increased input costs and intermittent supply chain disruptions, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts. Also referred to as the “green industry,” the ornamental horticulture industry in Texas is diverse and far-reaching, encompassing sectors ranging from ...

Texas sheep and goat producers are seeing strong prices this spring as seasonal supply patterns tighten markets while demand remains steady, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert. Premium lamb and goat prices at Texas sale barns recently exceeded $4 per pound and in some cases, approached $5 per pound, said Jake ...