b'WEATHER WILD CARDS Texas storm, temperature and precipitation extremes challenge seed production. Barb Baylor AndersonALTHOUGH MARK TWAINwassays Bryan Gentsch, executive vice presi- did not seem to have any large-scale referring to New England with hisdent for Texas Seed Trade Association. detrimental effects on small grain seed famous if you dont like the weather now,Although the winter was unusuallyproduction. Small grain seed producers in just wait a few minutes quote, manychilly, Gentsch says many seed producersthe West believe wheat seed supply this Texas seed producers may wish it appliedwelcomed the moisture that came with it.fall should be adequate, reports Gentsch. to them this year. Extreme temperaturesLots of Texas had three, distinctHe queried members following the and precipitation have challenged thesnowfall events and that is three morestorm, and none reported any lingering industry. than we usually experience, except for thelosses related to winter weather. However, Extreme weather has become moreHigh Plains, he says. some seed businesses had difficulty common. There is no extreme anymore,There are still many as yet unknowngetting employees to work during the quips Carson Ward, general manager, GWand lingering effects of Winter Storm Uri,cold and snow while delays, shipping and Seed based in Hereford, Texas. It bringsadds Monty Dozier, AgriLife Extensionsupply problems were unrelated to the another set of challenges which continuesprogram director for disaster assessmentweather. with drought, flood, high temperaturesand recovery. What we can say is theseEast Texas Seed in Tyler, Texas, says and who knows what in the end yet.figures are conservative and we expectwinter temperatures did not create havoc The first shake-up in 2021 wasmore losses long-term from this disaster.for their wheat and oat seed production Winter Storm Uri, which struck the stateSamuel Zapata, Texas A&M AgriLifein the eastern part of the state and in in mid-February. Texas A&M AgriLifeExtension economist based in Weslaco,Arkansas. However, spring rainfall 10-11 Extension Service officials estimate theTexas, agrees there is a ripple effect to theinches above normal fell in late April and storm caused at least $600 million ineconomy from winter storm damage. May, creating other problems.agricultural losses across Texas. FreezingSummer drought conditions put evenWheat and oat combines could not temperatures and ice killed or harmedmore pressure on parts of Texas produc- get into the fields in a timely manner many crops, and residual issues continuedtion, he says. It will be a slow recoveryduring the spring and so some seed to affect company and producer pocket- for the industry, although annual cropsshortage is possible, says sales person books well into the new year.can bounce back more quickly. Andy Young. It could be a tough fall Extension officials noted 2021s winterCorn and grain sorghum planted inwith possible short crops for some conditions rivaled the historic stormSouth Texas and the states Coastal Bendsmall grains. Flooding in Mississippi and that affected Texas crop production inbefore the storm had to be replanted,Alabama may affect millet seed produc-December 1989. It is still considered theZapata notes, although the most signifi- tion as well, which would limit our ability worst winter for crop losses in the region.cant grain crop at risk during the stormto sell that seed to customers.Other notable freezes in 2004 and 2011was wheat, since the majority of it hadYoung is also concerned about forage also damaged South Texas crops.started to grow. Statewide losses of oats, Many old-timers claim they remem- rye grass and triticale were also included ber times just as cold, but not as cold forin the total state crop loss estimate.as long. The extended sub-freezing tem- Crop production effects were largely peratures were a once every 50 or morelimited to winter wheat seed crops. Cold years experience for most of the state, 68/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2021'