Texas crop conditions in mid-July 2025 reveal a diverse agricultural landscape, shaped by variable weather and shifting acreage. According to the USDA Crop Progress report released July 21, farmers across the Lone Star State are contending with fluctuating moisture, heat-driven maturity, and pest pressures-all while trying to stay on pace with historical averages.

Weather patterns vary across Texas, influencing fieldwork windows and crop performance. In the Central and Rolling Plains, a return to sunshine and warmth allowed renewed access to fields following weeks of rain, enabling growers to finish cotton planting and bale hay. However, in the Coastal Bend and East Texas, ongoing rain continues to impede fieldwork, leaving soils saturated. Meanwhile, the South Plains and Panhandle face rising temperatures and high winds, accelerating soil drying and prompting increased irrigation. Some growers are debating whether to replant cotton or switch to sorghum, according to Texas AgriLife.

Field conditions were reported as 63% topsoil adequate, with 14% surplus, while subsoil moisture was similarly positive at 67% adequate and 12% surplus. Farmers had an average of 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork, nearly matching last year's pace of 5.8 days.

Corn, one of Texas's largest row crops, is showing strong progress and good quality. With 2.3 million acres planted-up 150,000 acres from 2024-USDA reports 88% of the crop has reached the silk stage, ahead of the 84% five-year average. Seventy-four percent is in the dough stage, surpassing last year's 65% and the historical average of 64%. Crop condition is favorable: 53% rated good, 17% excellent, and just 6% poor or very poor, mirroring national averages.

Texas AgriLife reports late weed germination due to higher-than-normal rainfall and some corn leafhopper activity in central regions. Armyworms and grasshoppers have also been spotted, while herbicide applications resumed in calmer weather conditions.

Cotton, in contrast, is behind historical progress. The state planted 570,000 acres, a decrease of 250,000 acres from last year. Only 65% of cotton is squaring, compared to 74% last year and below the five-year average of 69%. About 31% is setting bolls, slightly ahead of the average but still trailing 2024's 37%. Soil saturation has led to square shedding in some fields, and pest management remains a high priority, especially to mitigate sand damage in the Rolling Plains. Condition ratings show 43% good, 9% excellent, and 18% poor or very poor, similar to national levels.

Sorghum, a rising crop in Texas, continues to hold steady. Farmers planted 1.75 million acres, a 50,000-acre increase from 2024. Seventy-eight percent is headed, matching last year and the five-year average. Coloring reached 62%, on par with the 60% average. Crop condition is strong: 47% good, 20% excellent, and only 6% rated poor or very poor. However, pest pressures are growing, including headworms, stink bugs, sorghum aphids, and grasshoppers. Johnsongrass infestations are also increasing in some fields.

Peanut producers are seeing stable progress. Forty percent of the crop is pegging, slightly ahead of last year and in line with the five-year norm. USDA rated the peanut crop at 83% good, 4% excellent, and none in poor or very poor condition.

Rice production is also progressing well, thanks to favorable rainfall. Texas planted 143,000 acres, a slight decline from last year. As of July 20, 87% of the rice had headed, well ahead of the 80% five-year average and far above the national average of 40%. Crop ratings are promising: 71% good, 10% excellent, with zero reported as poor.

Winter wheat, with 5.5 million acres planted, is nearly fully harvested at 97% complete-just behind the five-year average of 100%. Dryland wheat experienced higher disease pressure, while irrigated fields fared better, AgriLife reported.

Oats are largely harvested, with 98% complete, outperforming the nine-state average of 20%. However, quality lags behind: 23% very poor, 26% poor, and only 5% excellent. These figures represent one of the weakest oat quality ratings in the country.

Texas pastures and ranges are holding steady: 39% rated good, 19% excellent, and 16% poor or very poor. Total hay acreage stands at 4.8 million, down 100,000 acres from last year.

As Texas nears the peak of the summer growing season, the divergence between strong performers like corn, sorghum, rice, and peanuts, and weaker areas like oats and cotton, is becoming more apparent. With harvest approaching, all eyes are on pest control, moisture levels, and yield development to determine how the season will close.