Corn producers still have time to plant before the optimal window closes, a Texas Cooperative Extension specialist reports.

Dr. Juerg Blumenthal, Extension agronomist in College Station, said producers in East, Central and South Texas have about two more weeks before considering a switch to sorghum.

Almost half of the state's corn is grown in the Northwest Panhandle. Producers there still have a month to plant, Blumenthal said, since the area is cooler.

Corn is very sensitive to heat. If the temperature rises over 100 F, pollination doesn't function as well, he said. Sorghum is more heat resistant and a more popular crop in the southern United States.

"This year's planting season is very spread out," across the state, he said.

Central Texas producers have had a challenging year, Blumenthal said.

"We had a dry window in February, but it is very wet now in Central and South Texas," he said.

Although corn is naturally resistant to many diseases, the later it is planted the more susceptible it is to aflatoxin, Blumenthal said.

High amounts of aflatoxin make the crop inconsumable and dangerous to livestock. If high amounts are found in the crop, it must be destroyed.

Dr. Roy Parker, Extension entomologist of Corpus Christi, said delayed planting isn't all bad news from the pest insect standpoint. Late planting means rootworm may be less of a pest for producers in South Texas. Insecticide will be applied closer to the pest's hatch date, killing more of the larvae.

Mexican corn rootworm populations should be particularly low, he said. Last year's infestations were the lowest in 27 years.

Jose Pena, Extension economist in Uvalde, reported that excellent rainfall and mild and cool temperatures are providing an optimistic agricultural outlook in Southwest Texas. However, excess soil moisture delayed some plantings and increased wheat rust disease. Corn planting is on time and almost complete, though, he said.

In the Rolling Plains, wheat has been rated from fair to excellent, said Galen Chandler, district Extension administrator. One producer told him, "My wheat has its Sunday go-to-meeting suit on." Most producers have taken cattle off wheat that they plan to harvest for grain, Chandler said.

Some fields are being treated for greenbug infestations, and most producers are applying fertilizer and herbicides, he said. Fields are being prepared for planting, but no spring crops have been planted, Chandler said.