Wet weather, low prices put damper on Texas watermelon season

Kevin Crosby, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Research vegetable breeder, professor and associate head of graduate programs in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences, said persistent rains across watermelon producing areas in South Texas have created a suite of challenges for growers.

Meanwhile, prices have made profitability difficult amid the rising cost of production and added costs associated with poor weather conditions.

“Watermelons need water, but too much can be worse than not enough,” he said. “The timing and persistence of wet conditions has created a lot of hurdles this season, and prices added insult to injury. It’s been a challenging season.”

Texas producers typically plant their watermelon fields with expectations to harvest and market their crops when prices peak during the build-up to Fourth of July holiday festivities.

Persistent rains fuel challenges for watermelon growers

Watermelon growers in the Rio Grande Valley reported more than 20 inches of rain over recent weeks in some areas. There were widespread reports that rain affected pollination, which resulted in low fruit sets and/or malformed fruit from the Valley to the Winter Garden region.

“The biggest issue that I’ve seen has been poor pollination,” said Larry Stein, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture specialist and professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Uvalde. “Rain impacts bee activity, but it also creates a wealth of plants where bees can get pollen, and that can mean the watermelon vines don’t get the attention they need.”

Rains also increased weed, insect and disease pressure, and wet field conditions have delayed or prevented control treatments.

Crosby said diseases like stem blight continue to present problems for growers due to the persistent rains and high humidity. Stein said weeds like purslane have become a prevalent problem in fields as they compete with watermelon vines for nutrients.

Cooler temperatures also contributed to poor plant development and fruit production, and wet conditions complicated harvest activities by delaying or limiting access to fields.

Crosby said his own watermelon research plots in Weslaco, Uvalde and Bryan-College Station were experiencing similar challenges and losses.

He expects Panhandle and West Texas melons, which typically harvest in late July, to fare better thanks to drier conditions, but said saturated post-holiday markets can often drive prices even lower.

Lower prices compound grower challenges

Juan Anciso, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, professor and associate head of the Department of Horticultural Sciences, Weslaco, said prices were hovering in the 15-17 cents-per-pound range going into the Fourth of July seasonal demand peak compared to 18-22 cents per pound last year. Growers were realizing 28-32 cents per pound in 2023.

The bulk of Texas watermelon acreage is grown commercially for grocery stores across the state and surrounding region, while smaller-scale producers often supply roadside stands, farmers markets and direct-to-consumer sales.

For consumers, Stein said finding Texas watermelons at roadside stands around the holiday weekend and throughout the summer should not be an issue. Brix counts – the sugar content measurement in fruit – may be a bit low on the early season melons, but to date, melon quality has been good and will get better as sunny days return.

Ideally, watermelons gain brix during sunny, hot, dry days while growers provide specific water rations via drip irrigation as the fruit develops and ripens.

“Growers prefer hot, dry weather because it reduces the potential for problems and intensity of management,” Crosby said. “Rain is a good thing, and a lot of the state still needs it, but in excess and at the wrong time for a grower, it can complicate things.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Panhandle

A cool front pushed through portions of the district, providing two to three consecutive days of lower temperatures that reduced evaporative demand on warm-season crops. The cool front was followed by temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels ranged from very short to adequate. Producers caught up on sorghum planting and made progress on post-emergent spray applications and in-season fertilizer applications. Wheat and other small grain harvests continued to wrap up with poor yields reported. Corn was improving. Pastures and rangeland were in very poor to good condition with livestock conditions ranging from poor to good.

South Plains

Hot, dry and windy conditions dominated much of the district, with temperatures reaching triple digits in several counties and high winds accelerating soil moisture loss. The Lubbock area received high winds and up to 1 inch of rain, providing localized but temporary relief, while scattered rainfall also improved topsoil moisture and pasture conditions in the eastern parts of the district. Cotton conditions were highly variable — ranging from fields that had just emerged following recent rains to stands lost to weather. Some acres were likely to be replanted to grain sorghum. Early planted corn was tasseling in some areas and beginning to silk in others, but the non-irrigated fields could struggle without timely rainfall given the absence of deep subsoil moisture. Dryland crops were under significant stress, and hard decisions were being made about crop viability. Livestock conditions ranged from poor to good, with cattle on native pastures showing modest improvement where rain fell.

Rolling Plains

Rainfall across the district was scattered, ranging from brief showers in some counties to 1-2 inches in other areas that filled stock tanks and improved rangeland conditions. Temperatures were consistently in the upper 90s and above 100 degrees on many days and accompanied by high winds. Cotton planting was almost complete across the district, but scattered thunderstorms damaged some stands and required replanting, and overall the crop was running behind normal development for the season. Wheat harvest was wrapping up or completed in most areas, with summer tillage getting underway. Some wheat pastures continued to provide grazing. Sunflower fields were being prepared. Corn and sorghum were in good condition in the eastern portions of the district, with corn silking and beginning to dent. Some sorghum and corn fields sustained severe damage from feral hogs. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to excellent, with stocker cattle dealing with fluctuating temperatures, and supplemental feeding continued in the drier areas. Grazing conditions improved significantly in areas that received earlier rain. Some producers were cutting and curing Bermuda and Sudan grass.

North

Saturated soils and persistent rainfall continued across much of the district, with flash flooding reported in some western and northeastern areas and standing water remained in low-lying fields. Wheat harvest was mostly complete but stalled in a few counties, with roughly 20-25% of the crop unharvested due to wet conditions. Reported yields ranged from 30-50 bushels per acre with test weights of 50-58 pounds per bushel. Hessian fly damage had a significant impact on susceptible wheat varieties. Corn was in fair to excellent condition, with fields silking, tasseling and advancing into the dough stage under good pollination conditions. Soybeans were blooming across much of the district. Sorghum remained mostly in the vegetative stages. Blackberry and fig harvests were beginning; peach harvest continued, and okra had emerged alongside continued squash, tomato and pepper production, while local pecans were set but still small. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to excellent. Haying operations remained difficult between rain events. Mosquito and fly populations were growing due to wet conditions.

East

Rainfall was scattered to heavy across much of the district, with totals ranging from 1.25 inches to more than 6 inches in some locations, filling ponds, pushing rivers to their banks and saturating soils broadly. Other areas received no precipitation. High temperatures reached the low 70s overnight and into the 90s during the day in parts of the district. Forages were growing well and pastures were green, but hay producers struggled to find consecutive dry days to cut, cure and bale, and some hay that had been cut was rained on while still on the ground. Watermelon yields were excellent, and vegetable harvest included peas, squash, tomatoes and cucumbers. Fall armyworm activity was being scouted in hay fields following the recent rains, with at least one confirmed report. Cattle markets were strong, with feeder heifers and steers reported $6-$10 per hundredweight higher than the prior week and slaughter cows were $7 per hundredweight higher in one county, while producers kept a watchful eye on the New World screwworm situation. Livestock conditions were fair to excellent across the district, with ample grazing available. Producers were scouting for armyworms with one outbreak reported in Anderson County.

Far West

Conditions were sharply divided across the district, with extreme heat exceeding 100 degrees in the east, stressing crops and pastures, while isolated heavy rainfall events brought relief to western portions of the district. Some flash flooding was reported. Corn on irrigation was holding on but fields pollinating during the peak heat were not doing well. Sorghum was struggling during the hottest parts of the day, and dryland cotton was not emerging in the dried-out topsoil, with some stands expected to be very thin. In the Pecos area, crops and pastures improved with recent rainfall, though excess moisture negatively affected some cotton production and contributed to fly pressure and growing concern about New World screwworm. In the El Paso area, both Pima and upland cotton looked good where water was available. Pecans were in very good condition despite early pecan nut casebearer pressure, and alfalfa was performing well this season. The melon crop benefited from the heat. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to good, and livestock conditions were poor to good across the district.

West Central

Rainfall was variable across the district, with some areas receiving 0.5–1.5 inches late in the week. Stock tanks were full to the brim in some counties, described as unusual for late June. Wheat harvest was almost complete across the district, though yields were poor in some locations. Cotton planting was wrapping up, and sorghum and hay crops were in good condition. Sudan hay and coastal Bermuda grass were being cut and baled where conditions allowed, and hay yields were described as good with second cuttings getting underway in some areas. Some producers were fertilizing for the second cutting. The pecan crop was reported as excellent. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to excellent, and livestock conditions were fair to excellent, with supplemental feeding declining significantly in areas where pastures had greened up.

Central

Hot, humid and wet conditions persisted across much of the district, with rainfall and flooding reported in some counties as rivers and creeks left their banks. Corn was progressing rapidly toward maturity and approaching silage harvest in some areas. Ear rot was more prevalent than normal due to continued wet conditions. Grain sorghum was fully headed across most of the district, but some fields were experiencing heavy midge and stink bug pressure. Cotton was progressing and squaring, with some fields experiencing insect pressure in later-planted acres and wet conditions slowing overall development. Hay cutting and baling were active where field conditions allowed, though some fields were past the best harvest timing. Pasture mealybug continued to spread, with confirmed infestations reported in multiple counties. Chemical applications were being made in some locations. Livestock conditions ranged from very poor to excellent. Stock tanks were full and weed pressure remained elevated across the district with soils staying wet.

Southeast

Hot, wet, humid conditions continued across the district, with some areas receiving over 1 inch of rainfall, and many fields were saturated and holding water. Corn was in fair to good condition and in the silking and dough stages. Root rot was beginning to show in some fields that had looked good prior to the latest round of heavy rain. Rice was progressing and in good condition, with fields advancing toward heading. Pasture mealybug detections continued to increase across the district. Most hay producers had not yet been able to make a first cutting due to persistently wet conditions. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good, and livestock conditions were fair to excellent overall.

Southwest

Rainfall amounts were substantial across much of the district, with most areas receiving 1-2 inches and some areas receiving up to 7 inches or more during the week. Heat indexes reached over 100 degrees by the end of the week. Low areas were holding water. Growing conditions were described as excellent in many areas, with later-planted crops benefiting the most from the moisture. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to improve, and livestock producers were supplementing less as grazing availability remained strong. Cattle were in good condition. Pasture mealybug was reported in multiple counties, with bluestem and some hay fields showing visible damage. New World screwworm continued to be a concern, with at least one county actively managing cases and producers monitoring herds closely. Hay harvest was broadly delayed by wet field conditions, though second cuttings were beginning in some areas. Fawn numbers were high across the district, with whitetail fawns and turkey poults observed on the ground, though one county noted a lower rate of twins compared to the prior year.

Coastal Bend

A tropical system brought substantial moisture to the district, with some counties averaging 4-4.5 inches or more during the week. Rain left fields flooded and crops waterlogged. Corn, sorghum and cotton were at risk of acre losses in the most severely affected fields, especially if more rain arrived before conditions dried. Early planted corn was beginning to dry down in some areas, and plants in saturated low spots showed stress. There were reports of mature grain sorghum sprouting in standing water, though the full extent of damage was not yet known. Rice was progressing and in fair to good condition, with some fields headed. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to excellent and continued to improve with the regular moisture, but hay harvest remained broadly stalled due to wet conditions. Some producers still had not completed a first cutting. Rice delphacid nymphs were found in low numbers in rice fields in one county. Pasture mealybug spread across multiple counties, and New World screwworm monitoring remained a priority for livestock producers, with flies and mosquitoes requiring additional management.

South

Significant rainfall events brought 2-6 inches or more to many parts of the district during the week, including a tropical system that pushed moisture through the Lower Rio Grande Valley, dramatically improving soil moisture, pasture conditions and crop development. Temperatures exceeded 100 degrees on multiple days in several counties, with humid nights adding to heat stress on livestock. Grain sorghum harvest had begun in some areas but was suspended as wet field conditions made equipment access impossible. Some sorghum fields continued to mature. Cotton was squaring across much of the district and benefited from the rainfall. Corn was advancing through silking and dough stages with some early planted fields beginning to dry down. Citrus and sesame also benefited from the rainfall, while watermelon and carrot harvests concluded for the season. Rangeland and pasture conditions were fair to excellent and improving. Cattle and calves were in good condition. Stock tanks were full. Hay cutting was beginning or expected to start soon where producers could find dry windows. New World screwworm monitoring was a central concern, with producer meetings drawing crowds and ranchers actively preparing management responses.