Texas Crop and Weather Report
Texas aquaculture remains strong, with significant growth occurring over the last five years, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Todd Sink, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist and director of the AgriLife Extension Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory, Bryan-College Station, said his assessment of Texas aquaculture contrasts with the findings of the 2023 U.S. Department of Agriculture Census of Aquaculture. The report showed a decline in the number of aquaculture farms and sales in Texas. But producer numbers have increased.
Sink attributed the inaccurate data to low numbers of Texas producers filling out voluntary U.S. Census of Aquaculture surveys.
New opportunity along the Gulf Coast
Sink, who is also an associate professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, said there are currently 130-135 aquaculture producers across the state with roughly 6,200 acres in production. Annual farm-gate sales generate more than $120 million.
More than 20 of those producers are new oyster farms along the coast. That increase in production was made possible by legislation passed in 2019.
“Prior to 2019, oyster mariculture was not allowed in Texas,” Sink said. “Now, the number of oyster farms is growing so fast, the state’s two oyster hatcheries are struggling to keep up with the demand for seed stock.”
More to the industry than catfish
Although many only think of catfish when considering Texas aquaculture, Sink said the industry is much more varied, supporting bait, ornamental and food fish species like pinfish, fathead minnow, koi, tilapia, shrimp, red drum and hybrid striped bass.
Red drum and hybrid striped bass alone generate around $20 million of the state’s annual farm-gate sales, he said.
“There are only around 12 red drum and hybrid striped bass producers in the state, and they’re producing as much as the catfish industry in terms of value and quantity,” Sink said. “Those fish are considered a higher-value product.”
The current farm-gate price for red drum is between $5.50 per pound and $5.70 per pound, compared to the average price of catfish, which has ranged between 80 cents per pound to $1.20 per pound over the last two decades.
Sink said red drum and hybrid striped bass are uniquely Texan aquaculture products, and the state leads the nation in production of both.
“If I go to a restaurant or supermarket anywhere in the U.S. and order red drum, there’s an extremely high chance that I’m going to be eating a farm-raised Texas product,” he said.
Market status and current trends
As Texas producers establish stronger holds in aquaculture markets, Sink said recent tariffs on imported seafood products have helped.
“Many producers are now getting orders from companies that previously dealt exclusively with China, Vietnam or Mauritius,” he said. “Competition from foreign seafood imports has been an ongoing issue in the industry.”
Sink said overall, the number of farms and sales for sportfish and food fish has remained relatively stable, with a few notable exceptions, including tilapia, which has expanded significantly in both the number of farms and sales.
“We’re also seeing food fish producers who previously specialized in a single species, such as catfish, hybrid striped bass or red drum, diversifying the species they grow to better protect themselves from any production failures such as disease, freeze events or market collapses,” he said.
Another industry trend Sink noted is producers joining together to form larger cooperative farms.
“It may only be two producers, or it may include eight, but they are partnering,” he said. “That offers buying power, better market access and supply, and species diversification.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Panhandle
Widespread thunderstorms across the district brought additional precipitation during the week. Rains added to moisture soil profiles throughout the district, but overall, soil moisture levels were still short to adequate. Daytime high temperatures were in the upper 80s and low 90s, which helped moderate evapotranspiration rates. Most warm-season crops were transitioning from vegetative to reproductive growth and demanding more water. Overall, crops were in fair to good condition. Spraying and tillage of fallow and harvested wheat ground continued. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Cattle gains were excellent.
South Plains
The area received rainfall from 0.5-2 inches over the week, benefiting all crops but also promoting weed growth. Temperatures were fair to hot. Timely rainfall helped move crops along through the season. Corn was pollinating, and grain sorghum was getting ready to flower. There were reports of leafhoppers and mites. Cotton was growing, and growth regulators were necessary in some areas. The potato harvest was about 50% complete with great quality being reported. Rain made the pastureland and cattle thrive, and most were in good to excellent condition.
Rolling Plains
Conditions were hot and dry with some locations receiving a bit of rain. Daily high temperatures were in the 90s. Atmospheric humidity was still facilitating sporadic, pop-up showers. Most counties reported crop and soil moisture levels persisting, but those conditions were deteriorating quickly. The late summer months are expected to be harsh for crops and livestock.
North
Conditions were hot, humid and dry for the most part. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels ranged from short to surplus across the district. Summer grass growth was slowing, but hay harvest was still in full swing. Pastures, ponds, livestock and gardens were all in good shape. Beef cattle supplementation increased. Crops, including corn and soybeans, were in good condition overall. Grain sorghum was in good shape and rapidly approaching harvest. Winter wheat harvest was complete, with producers reporting an overall successful season.
East
Soil moisture levels declined with continued high temperatures and little to no rainfall. Subsoil and topsoil moisture conditions were adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were good overall. Hay production remained in full swing. Pond and creek levels began to drop. Cattle markets were strong and active in some counties. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Feral hog control was underway to mitigate damage.
West Central
With hot and dry conditions, flood recovery was in full swing as fields and pastures began to dry out enough to get back into; however, many were still too muddy to begin repairing damages. Some field preparation for fall small grain planting has started, with some being side-dressed with fertilizer after the rains. Hay cutting and baling was underway in many areas, and some corn was harvested for silage. A few row crops were showing signs of heat and moisture stress, but the rain helped the cotton crop. Sorghum was maturing with good yield potential, with harvest expected to begin next week. Corn was mature and ready for harvest. Pastures were in fair to good condition. Range and pasture conditions were declining slightly but were mostly fair to good. Most cattle continued to gain weight.
Central
The district experienced hot temperatures with minimal rainfall, causing soil moisture levels to decline and drought stress to emerge in some areas. Burn bans were in place for some counties. Pastures showed mixed conditions with some areas maintaining good grazing while others began showing stress. Stock tanks and reservoirs remained full. Corn reached maturity, and harvest operations began. Hay production remained active with armyworms present in some hayfields. Some grasshopper activity was also reported. Cattle maintained good body condition with minimal supplemental feeding required. The cattle market remained strong, and sheep and goat markets held steady. Producers continued to rebuild livestock herds after previous drought years.
Southeast
Soil moisture levels were adequate to surplus. Dry spells in Chambers, Liberty and Brazos counties allowed producers to resume cutting and baling hay, while wet conditions in San Jacinto County made fieldwork difficult. Rice was in good condition, and some harvesting began in Chambers County, and Jefferson County reported issues with rice delphacid. Cotton was maturing, and corn and sorghum harvests were expected to begin soon. Sorghum was in good to excellent condition. Armyworms and grasshoppers became more prevalent. Livestock in Madison and Walker counties reported favorable forage conditions and moderate temperatures. Overall, crop and livestock conditions showed signs of improvement, with producers closely monitoring the weather. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from fair to excellent. Livestock conditions ranged from very poor to excellent.
Southwest
Seasonal summer temperatures accompanied a few spotty downpours. Rain totals ranged between 0.5-1.25 inches. Most of the rainfall was insufficient to have a meaningful impact on developing crops. Overall, forages, range and pastures were in good shape. Grain sorghum harvest began. Corn was still drying out for harvest. Grass growth slowed down considerably. Hay harvest continued with reports of second cuttings on Sudan and Hegari hay expected soon. Deer fawns were doing well. Livestock body conditions improved steadily with producers having to supplement very little. Livestock markets were steady to high. A slight chance of rain was expected this weekend.
Coastal Bend
Most of the county received rain over the weekend, with totals between 0.5-1 inch. Soil moisture conditions continued to decline in most areas. Rice and corn harvests were in full swing. Grain sorghum harvest was complete with the exception of late-planted acres that followed failed cotton. Cotton harvest started in early planted fields and should progress well, although some fields were still maturing. Range and pasture conditions remained mostly fair to good due to earlier rains. Livestock remained in good condition thanks to earlier high-quality forage production. Pasture conditions began to decline due to dry conditions and heat, and hay harvest continued. Bermuda grass stem maggot and fall armyworms were active in hay fields.
South
Tropical moisture brought hit-and-miss showers, and there was a chance of rain in the forecast. Weed problems were reported. Warmer temperatures and little rain allowed row crop farmers to proceed with corn and grain sorghum harvests. Crops looked good overall. Grain sorghum, corn and sunflower harvests neared completion in some areas and attention was turning to peanuts, cotton and sesame. Peanut fields continued to progress under irrigation and develop pods. Sesame harvest was awaiting the appropriate harvest window. Cotton bolls were setting and beginning to open in most fields. Cotton defoliation was expected to begin soon. Some citrus orchards were irrigated, and fruit was developing. Range and pasture conditions were still good, but soil moisture continued to decline due to extremely high temperatures. Falcon Reservoir levels remained critically low, affecting water quality for municipalities, irrigation and livestock. Beef cattle supplementation was increasing, and beef cattle prices remained very high. Wildlife such as deer, quail and turkey remained in good shape, but water and cover will be critical going into August.
