Texas citrus undersized, but yield outlook good as harvest begins

Juan Anciso, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension vegetable specialist, professor and associate head of AgriLife Extension in the Texas A&M Department of Horticultural Sciences at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Weslaco, said growers have started harvesting grapefruit, early oranges and navel oranges.

Shipments of both grapefruit and early oranges bound for fresh fruit aisles are at less than half of last year’s pace, Anciso said. As of Oct. 24, the Rio Grande Valley had shipped 80,445 40-pound cartons of fresh fruit this season, compared with 219,613 at the same point last year. Those totals do not include citrus fruit going to juice.

“It’s kind of complex, but I would say the primary culprit is the drought,” he said. “We were very dry this summer, so fruit sizes in oranges, even early oranges, and of course grapefruits, haven’t sized up.”

There was virtually no rain in June, July and August, Anciso said, and the Rio Grande Valley endured intense heat for months with extended consecutive days above 100 degrees. Meaningful rains did not arrive until September and October.

Expect more fruit as harvest continues

Despite the slow start, the crop load on citrus trees is larger than last season’s, Anciso said. The first crop estimate from the Texas Valley Citrus Committee projects grapefruit production at about 10% above last season and early oranges, about 50% higher. Late oranges, such as Valencias, are expected to be about the same.

“The crop loads look good, but the fruit on the trees just hasn’t sized up,” he said.

That leaves time for improvement. The Texas citrus harvest typically runs from October into May and sometimes early June, depending on how much fruit remains.

Pest pressure has been light this season, Anciso said. Producers have been proactive and stayed ahead of citrus rust mite infestations.

Melanose, a fungal disease, remains a problem, especially in groves with dead trees and wood left behind by Winter Storm Uri in 2021. The fungus lives and reproduces on dead wood, and rain splashes it onto fruit, leaving blemishes that keep it out of the fresh market. That fruit can still be juiced, Anciso said.

Weighing strong prices against rising costs

Florida’s citrus declines due to citrus greening have opened the door for Texas oranges in broader markets, though the effect on grapefruit has been smaller, Anciso said.

Short supplies of oranges nationally have pushed prices higher. Anciso said he has heard of wholesale prices of $38 for a 40-pound carton. Grapefruit prices are less clear due to lower demand, though Texas varieties, like Rio Red, are sought by many consumers for their sweeter flavor.

But growers also face higher input costs, and today’s prices may not hold, he said. Prices may be high now partly because few orchards are being harvested, and they could decline as more groves are picked.

“With those kinds of prices, you should come out ahead,” he said. “But if those prices tend to slide, then that’s where you start getting into situations that, depending on the yield and input costs, profits could be challenging.”

Irrigation water remains a concern for Rio Grande Valley growers, Anciso said. Fall rains have improved conditions in reservoirs that provide water allotments for growers. Watershed inflows from the Pecos and Devils rivers lifted Amistad Reservoir from about 30% to more than 50% of capacity, Anciso said. Falcon Reservoir sits at about 20%.

Much of the moisture from this season’s Pacific hurricanes tracked into New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah instead of the Rio Grande watershed, he said, and the El Niño rains expected this fall have mostly gone to the desert Southwest so far.

“There’s no doubt Texas is still in the citrus business,” Anciso said. “It’s just been a tough run of seasons for growers.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Panhandle

The previous week’s humid, overcast conditions gave way to cool, sunny days. Highs reached the low 70s and lows dropped to 37 degrees, with 0.32 inches of precipitation reported in one county. Topsoil moisture levels were short to adequate while subsoil conditions ran short to surplus. Rain delayed harvest for some growers for at least two weeks. Fields remained wet and muddy in parts of the district, but a few days of drying allowed harvest to resume afterward. Cotton and feed grain harvest picked back up. Cotton harvest was nearly at the halfway point, and corn harvest was nearly complete. Forage sorghum harvest resumed everywhere ground conditions permitted, and growers were reaching the end of the season on acres cut for silage. Small grain planting resumed as well. Winter wheat was 85% planted, and 73% emerged and was in very poor to excellent condition. Improved and native grass pastures responded to the precipitation over recent weeks. Livestock conditions were poor to good.

South Plains

Over 1 inch of rain early in the week delayed cotton harvest across much of the district, and cooler, breezy weather gradually dried fields enough for a few producers to get back in by week’s end. Cotton harvest reached about 42% complete, with bolls 87% open. Yields from irrigated cotton were very low, and one producer reported harvesting three-fourths of a bale per acre on an irrigated field. Some defoliated cotton may have to be resprayed, and much of the crop in parts of the district will not be stripped because of poor quality and quantity, though rain over the past month helped dryland cotton in some areas. The wheat crop continued to thrive on recent moisture and was 85% planted and 79% emerged. Winter wheat was in poor to excellent condition overall. Cattle grazed winter wheat where it went in early, and elsewhere livestock were fed a mix of wheat, native grasses and hay. Some summer forages were cut for hay, and pockets of silage harvesting finished. Pastures improved slightly, and livestock conditions were very poor to good.

Rolling Plains

Recent rains gave winter wheat and pastures a timely boost, and soil moisture conditions continued to improve. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Cooler days slowed evaporation and let planted wheat thrive, and the crop was 89% planted and 77% emerged. Stock tanks filled in some areas. Subsoil moisture remained the larger concern, and more rain will be needed to make the best wheat crop possible. Prolonged dry weather through the growing season shaped conditions in parts of the district, where many dryland cotton acres were zeroed out. Cotton bolls were largely open and about 36% harvested, with wet weather holding up progress and defoliation just beginning on some acres. Native pastures improved but were not growing much, and some areas were drying out again. Calf movement to sale slowed, and reporters noted that good wheat prospects could bring an influx of grazing cattle to the district after the first of the year. Most producers were still feeding hay and supplements. Livestock conditions were very poor to good, and winter wheat conditions spanned very poor to excellent. Wildlife food plots were thick and full.

North

Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Around 1 inch of rain fell early in the week in parts of the district, which helped soil moisture but did nothing for pond levels. Other areas remained in extreme drought, with burn bans in place and ponds extremely low or completely dry. Cold fronts were expected to drop temperatures, though no freeze had occurred and none was expected for at least a couple of weeks. Winter wheat was 73% planted and 45% emerged, and some producers were dry sowing and waiting on rain to get a stand. Winter wheat was in very poor to fair condition. Corn, sorghum and soybean harvest was complete, and some mixed grass hay fields were cut a final time. Winter vegetables started well for the season, including greens, lettuce and hydroponic tomatoes, with carrots and radishes planted. Okra and melon harvests ended, while persimmon and winter squash harvest was active. Livestock were in fair to good condition, and most spring-born calves had been weaned. Hay feeding had already started where forage was short, and livestock were moved to pasture with supplemental water sources. Nuisance flies remained active at moderate levels; pasture mealybug was reported in some areas of the district.

East

Rainfall of up to 2 inches was reported across the district, with lows in the 50s and highs in the 80s. Standing water was observed in a few locations. The rain improved topsoil moisture and helped lift burn bans in several areas. However, ponds, lakes and rivers remained low, and much more precipitation was needed to catch stock water. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Winter pasture planting continued, mainly small grains and ryegrass, and producers who timed planting with earlier rains saw excellent germination and planned fertilizer applications. Final hay cuttings of the year wrapped up. Armyworms continued to impact forages, feral hog damage increased again, and producers continued scouting for pasture mealybug. Grasses began turning brown as temperatures cooled and slowed growth. Livestock conditions were very poor to excellent, with supplementation taking place. Cattle prices were up and down across classes, with average prices for feeder steers and heifers weighing 400 pounds and under finishing $8-$12 per hundredweight higher. Heavier classes were steady, and slaughter cow and bull prices finished $3-$5 lower per hundredweight. Auction markets were weaker to steady on most classes of calves, though the cow market stayed fairly strong. Timber harvesting, mostly pine plantation timber, increased.

Far West

Another week of slow, steady rain delivered 0.5-2 inches in many areas. Temperatures were about average for this time of year, ranging from the high 40s to the low 80s, with above-average humidity. Topsoil moisture levels were very short to surplus, while subsoil conditions were very short to adequate. The moisture was welcome but slowed cotton harvest and wheat planting tremendously. Cotton was about 58% harvested, and in the El Paso area harvest moved quickly on a small crop, with very good Pima yields reported. Wheat was in poor to excellent condition where it had emerged. Pasture grasses greened back up under the warm weather, and winter weeds and green grass continued to emerge. Pecan growers prepared orchards for harvest, and alfalfa producers were taking a final cutting ahead of an anticipated freeze. Feral pig damage increased again. The threat of New World screwworm remained a concern for many livestock producers in the area. Livestock conditions were poor to excellent.

West Central

Rain continued across the district, with totals from a quarter of an inch to a little over 2 inches. Temperatures were mild early in the period, with highs in the lower 80s before falling into the 50s and 60s by the weekend. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were short to surplus. The moisture slowed cotton harvest, which stood at about 44% complete, and delayed some wheat planting. Winter wheat was mostly planted and emerged; emergence was very good, and stands were in good to excellent condition in some areas, though fields planted into dry soil may need replanting. Winter grasses were growing well and provided good grazing. Warm-season grasses and forbs slowed toward dormancy as cool-season grasses emerged. Stock tanks still needed runoff water. Pecan harvest was underway, with the crop shaping up similarly to last year after early expectations of higher yields. Commercial pecans were bringing $2-$2.40 per pound. Few cattle were turned out on grain, and stocking rates remained light. Livestock conditions were poor to good.

Central

Scattered showers brought from half an inch to 1.25 inches of rainfall across much of the district, but the rain was not enough to put running water in stock tanks. Topsoil moisture levels were short to surplus while subsoil conditions were very short to surplus. Cooler mornings, heavy dews and warm afternoons had cool-season crops doing well. Pastures trended downward with shorter days and cooler temperatures, as warm-season forage growth tapered off. Winter weeds increased. Producers started planting wheat for grain while the already-planted wheat for grazing looked poor to good. The crop was mostly planted, and more than half of planted acres had emerged. Ryegrass was up in livestock pastures but was slow to progress without moisture. Hay baling wrapped up for the year, and hay feeding increased as forage growth slowed. Armyworms were still showing up in a few pastures early in the week, and reporters noted ongoing pasture mealybug problems in some areas. Cattle and other livestock remained in very poor to good body condition. Calves were being weaned, and the cattle market showed good activity, although some prices have softened. Dry vegetation and limited rainfall kept wildfire potential a concern for producers and landowners.

Southeast

Conditions remained very dry across much of the district, with burn bans still in place in several areas and drought holding on. Enough rain arrived in parts of the district to improve topsoil moisture only in some areas. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Corn harvest was complete, and second-crop rice cutting started. Pastures were in fair condition. Many producers held off planting winter forage because of dry soil, and wheat that was planted had not all emerged. Pasture mealybugs continued to be found in pastures. Cattle producers increased supplemental feeding as warm-season forages went dormant, and livestock conditions were fair to good.

Southwest

A widespread storm system brought soaking rain across the district, with reported totals from trace amounts up to as much as 9 inches depending on the area. The weekly average was above 3 inches in some counties, and draws began to flood in places. The slow, steady rain should improve soil moisture profiles but did not produce runoff to improve pond levels in some areas. Temperatures cooled into the 60s, preventing much evaporation. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to adequate. The rain improved outlooks for winter forage plantings and rangeland conditions. Producers resumed planting winter wheat. Small grains were up and doing well, and last cuttings of hay came in, with most acres planted and emerged. Rangeland and pasture started greening up with the moisture, though spots of pasture mealybug damage showed up in some areas. Livestock prices held steady, and producers continued supplementing grazing cattle. Livestock conditions were very poor to good. The rain also encouraged feral hog movement. The general deer season opened slowly because of the rain, but deer were in good condition, and the whitetail rut had begun.

Coastal Bend

Around 1 inch of rain fell across much of the district, with more than 2 inches reported in some areas, greatly improving soil moisture. Topsoil moisture levels were short to adequate while subsoil conditions were very short to adequate. Several showers were enough to stop harvest on remaining cotton fields, and cotton, corn, sorghum and soybean harvest was otherwise complete. Producers prepared fields for next season, applied fertilizer and planned to resume fall bedding work. Pecan harvest continued in areas where the crop was mature. Winter pasture planting of wheat, oats and ryegrass continued and progressed well on the improved moisture. Weeds and grasses flushed following recent rains, and pasture forage increased. Warm-season grasses slowed with shorter day length and cooler night temperatures, and some late-season hay was still being made between showers. Livestock conditions were fair to excellent.

South

A cool front ended a hot, dry and humid stretch and brought widespread rain, with totals from about 2 inches to as much as 9 inches in some areas. Other areas got little or no measurable rain and remained in moderate to severe drought. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to surplus. The moisture should improve range and pasture conditions, though cooler temperatures will reduce grass yield in the near term. Pasture and rangeland had started to decline in some areas. Rain delayed the peanut harvest, with nearly all fields mature. The leafy green harvest was on hold as well. Strawberry planting slowed, but plants already in the ground benefited from the moisture. Citrus harvest began, and cool-season vegetable crops continued to look good. Row crop farmers were bedding rows, applying herbicides, spraying overgrown fields and deep tilling. Some producers baled hay and harvested buffelgrass seed where forage production remained strong. Beef cattle producers supplemented herds at a higher rate while looking to secure hay for winter. Livestock conditions were very poor to good overall. Feeder cattle and live cattle futures declined again, and cash markets for all classes of cattle weakened a few cents from the previous week. Producers continued monitoring for New World screwworm, with cooler weather helping reduce fly populations. Deer season opened slowly because of the rain, but wildlife conditions were favorable. Quail and deer numbers looked strong and wildlife managers reported higher numbers of whitetail twins this fall.