by Mary Jane Buerkle
As the first final planting date approaches for the Plains Cotton Growers
service area, conditions across the region are mixed, with some growers
enjoying beneficial rains that will boost their early crop and others
experiencing everything from painfully dry conditions to severe weather
that will force some to start over – or plant something else altogether.
Planted acreage for the PCG service area is expected to be about normal,
but it remains to be seen how much will be viable. In the northern parts
of the PCG service area, where the May 31 final planting date is in
immediate sight, most cotton has been planted and in some areas, has been
for two weeks. Generally, central counties have until June 5 to plant, and
southern counties have until June 10. For information on a specific
county’s final planting date, contact PCG.
Garza County was the target for severe weather over the Memorial Day
weekend, with a confirmed tornado, damaging hail, high winds, and anywhere
from 3 to 8 inches of rain in three hours. Growers from the affected area
report that the ground is packed and they likely will not be able to save
their planted acres. Severe storms have impacted several other counties
across the region as well.
Some areas in the region still are in desperate need of a rain, especially
on dryland acreage. For example, West Texas Mesonet stations in Seminole,
Denver City, Muleshoe, Amherst, Welch, and Plains have recorded only a few
hundredths of a inch of rainfall in the month of May.
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IMPORTANT PROGRAM DEADLINES
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE KEY PROGRAMS
ARC-CO and PLC Election and Contract 2020 Crop Year
June 30
Crop Acreage Certification Deadline
July 15
Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Application
August 28
Yield Update for PLC Program
September 30
Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program+ (WHIP+) Application
December 31
(program funds will remain available until expended or December 31)
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION KEY PROGRAMS
Paycheck Protection Program
Signup Ends June 30
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
Signup Ends December 31