NEWS
Weather proves tough for Texas watermelon crops
Written by Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
Winter Storm Uri and subsequent cool, wet weather have made the 2021 growing season tough on Texas watermelons, but decent prices are helping producers, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts.
This season could be a good one for watermelon producers due to good prices, but winter weather this spring and rains heading into harvest have put the crop behind and made harvest difficult. (Stock photo)
Watermelons in South Texas got a late start due to the winter storm in February, said Juan Anciso, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Weslaco. Many fields under hoop tunnels experienced delays and required partial replanting due to the cold weather.
Harvest typically begins April 15 in hoop tunnels and typically peaks with traditional field-grown watermelons by mid-May for Memorial Day weekend, Anciso said.
Rain has also presented delays and challenges during harvesting, he said. Fields were left muddy by 8-10 inches of rainfall, which has made harvest difficult. Trucks and trailers were stuck in fields and crews faced tough conditions, including heavy mosquito infestations. Additionally, hiring workers to harvest has been more difficult than in past seasons.
Anciso said the freeze helped reduce white fly populations, which in turn reduced the transmission of viral diseases. The wet weather caused concerns about fungal diseases, but farmers have been vigilant about spray applications to keep disease infestations down.
The rains, however, have not affected melon quality, Anciso said. Brix counts, the measurement for sweetness have remained at 10-plus. Brix counts of 10 are standard sweetness, while 11 and above indicate exceptionally sweet. Watermelon color both inside and outside were also meeting market standards.
Heavy rains at the wrong time can waterlog melons, which thins their Brix count and the redness of the fruit and causes their outer layer to turn white, Anciso said.
“This year was a challenge early with the freeze and late because of the rain,” he said. “But it looks like quality is still good and prices were pretty good.”
Watermelons: This year vs. last year
Last year, Florida had difficultly with their crop at harvest because COVID-19 impacted their seasonal harvesting crews, Anciso said. The subsequent shortage of melons coming out of Florida made demand and prices for Texas watermelons climb.
Texas watermelon prices peaked at between 33-35 cents per pound at wholesale. This year, Florida watermelons have normalized demand, and Texas watermelons were fetching 20-22 cents per pound at wholesale, Anciso said.
Prices are still markedly better than they were in 2019 when watermelons were at 14-16 cents per pound wholesale and producers were losing $1,000 per acre planted on average, he said.
“The prices are still good, they’re just not as high as they were getting, and all the difficulties between the freeze and pulling out equipment and having trouble finding harvesting crews make margins a little thinner,” he said. “It’s been quite the headache to get them harvested this year, but given how difficult it’s been, hopefully producers can turn a profit.”
Winter Garden watermelons
Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Uvalde, said growing conditions have been similar to those in South Texas and have created similar delays.
The cooler, rainy weather since late April could mean delays in watermelon fields typically scheduled to meet the Fourth of July market demand window. Vines in the Winter Garden region are starting to bloom, and beehives are onsite to pollinate.
Female watermelon flowers typically need 15 visits by bees to deliver enough pollen for proper fruit set, Stein said. The process from bloom to vine-ripe fruit being ready for harvest typically takes 30 days, which means the timing could be tighter than producers prefer.
“It will be good for producers who sell from a fruit stand or let people pick their own,” he said. “But producers typically want them coming off the vine a week to 10 days before the holiday weekend to meet the wholesale orders and get them to grocers in time. But plants are about seven to 10 days behind schedule right now.”
NEWS
Gov. Abbott activates state emergency response resources ahead of severe storms, flash flood threat
AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott today directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to activate state emergency response resources ahead of increased threats of severe weather and flash flooding in large areas of the state through the weekend.
“Texas is prepared to deploy all resources needed to support local communities in South and Southeast Texas as they prepare to respond to severe weather and flash flooding,” said Governor Abbott. “Today, I directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management to activate rescue boats, hoist capable helicopters, search and rescue teams, and other resources to help local emergency officials respond to heavy rainfall and flash flooding. Texans are urged to monitor the weather, make an emergency plan, and heed the guidance of state and local officials to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
According to the National Weather Service, heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding is expected across South and Southeast Texas beginning today through the end of the week. Very hard, dry ground from prolonged drought will cause fast, excessive runoff that can lead to flash flooding concerns. Severe storms are also possible, with primary hazards of damaging winds and large hail expected across South Texas mid to late week. Texans are encouraged to monitor local forecasts over the next several days.
At the Governor’s direction, TDEM activated the following state emergency response resources to support local flood response operations:
- Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (Texas A&M Task Force 1 and Texas Task Force 3): Swiftwater Rescue Boat Squads, Type 3 Urban Search and Rescue Teams, Flood Water Boat Squads
- Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): The State of Texas Incident Management Team to support deployed emergency response resources across the state
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Game Wardens, rescue boat teams, and helicopters with hoist capability to assist with flood rescues
- Texas Department of Public Safety: Helicopters with hoist capabilities, Texas Highway Patrol Troopers, and the Tactical Marine Unit
- Texas National Guard: Personnel and high-profile vehicles to assist stranded motorists
The following resources have been readied for activation to support local severe weather response operations if needed:
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service: Disaster Assessment and Recovery Agents as well as AgriLife Extension Agents to support agricultural and livestock needs
- Texas Department of Transportation: Personnel monitoring road conditions
- Public Utility Commission of Texas: Power outage monitoring and coordination with utility providers
- Railroad Commission of Texas: Monitoring of the state’s natural gas supply and communication with the oil and gas industry
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: Air/water/wastewater monitoring
- Texas Department of State Health Services (Texas Emergency Medical Task Force): Severe Weather Support Packages consisting of medics, ambulances, and all-terrain vehicles
The Texas State Emergency Operations Center remains activated at Level II (Escalated Response) to support requests for state assistance. Additionally, the Texas Emergency Management Council continues to monitor increased wildfire danger across West Texas.
Texans are encouraged to follow instructions from local officials, make an emergency plan, and prepare an emergency supply kit. Texans can access flood information at TexasFlood.org, check road conditions at DriveTexas.org, locate flood safety information at TexasReady.gov, and find general preparedness tips at tdem.texas.gov/prepare.
Saint Jo Mayor Kelly Williamson and Police Chief Harvey Johnson will host an informal town hall meeting from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. on March 29 at The Grazing Grove Restaurant.
All residents are invited to attend to address questions and foster a better understanding of current matters affecting the community.
The Montague County Grand Jury issued 30 indicted cases of its March session last week with six of those sealed awaiting the arrest of a suspect.
The following cases were filed in the 97th District Court Clerk’s office as of March 24.
A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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