Today we are experiencing record
high temperatures in the Plainview area, in the low 90’s. With such warm weather, it can be difficult
to fight the urge to head to the field with the planter. Most cotton producers seem to be holding off
with another blast of cold air and one more chance for some snow on the way
later this week.
Cotton
gets off to its best start when planted in a recommended 68°F consistent
temperature soil (roughly 64°F bare minimum).
This spring the soil temperature has followed the trends of the air
temperature fairly closely. Higher
moisture content in the soil usually slows the soil’s response to air
temperatures, but that just is not the case today. The best time to take your soil temperature
is between 7 AM and 10 AM. That early
morning period is when the soil temperature should be at its lowest,
guaranteeing that the soil will remain consistently at that minimum
temperature.
Out
of curiosity, and to answer several producer presented questions, I took some
soil temperature readings in several locations during the heat of the day
today. Please keep in mind that these
readings are during the heat of the day, and another cold front is expected
soon. Temperatures will not rebound to
these levels until several days following the eventual return of warm weather.
-
66°F. Two
miles southwest of Hale Center, Texas.
Potential cotton field / plowed / very dry topsoil / under a pivot.
-
63°F.
Two miles southwest of Hale Center, Texas. Current wheat field / recently irrigated
under a pivot.
-
69°F. One
mile east of Edmonson, Texas. Potential
cotton field / plowed / pre-watered / dry topsoil / furrow irrigated.
-
66°F. Two
miles east of Edmonson, Texas. Potential
cotton field / no-till (2012 cotton ground) / pre-watered / moist topsoil /
under pivot.
By
my best estimation, sometime between May 8th and May 12th
should be near ideal soil temperatures for planting cotton. Please feel free to call if I can be of any
assistance.
Blayne
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