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Thursday, March 16, 2000

Downpour is mixed blessing for citrus, other crops

Some Valley growers say rainfall postpones harvesting

Associated Press

It wasn't exactly pennies from heaven, but Rio Grande Valley growers aren't complaining.
   Rain-heavy clouds and thunderstorms soaked the region with more than an inch of rainfall Tuesday, making up for months of clear skies and parched land, said Jeff Philo, a forecaster for National Weather Service in Brownsville. "We were sitting in drought; the farmers needed it," Philo said Wednesday.
   Some areas in the Valley were drenched with record-setting rainfall that put them above typical yearly levels. Brownsville reported 2.38 inches of rain, topping the previous daily record of 1.11 inches, set in 1962. The rain brings the city's yearly rainfall to 3.42 inches, above the average mark of 2.85 inches. Other areas with heavy rain were Harlingen with 2.14 inches, Hebbronville with 2.46 inches and Port Mansfield with 3.20 inches.
   The rain, while appreciated, may have limited effects, said John McClung, president of the Texas Produce Association.
   "In terms of the citrus industry, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference; the season is winding down," McClung said. "The onion guys, while delighted, have a short-term problem. They need warm, hot weather to dry out the bulbs."
   Robert A. Peterson, president of Starr Produce Co., said the rain postponed his planned harvest of his onions, which have grown well in dry, cool weather over the season.
   "The rain helped our dry land green, but that's about it," said Peterson, who also grows melons and potatoes on 15,000 acres near Rio Grande City.
   Harry Shimotsu, general manager of Plantation Produce in Mission, said the moisture will buy some growers a little time.
   "It'll give us about three weeks of free time without irrigation, but we will need more rain to finish our crops," Shimotsu said. "We are still in a stress situation."
   Shimotsu said he scaled back his farming this year because of the drought-like conditions, passing on sugar cane, cotton and grain for cheaper, less thirsty crops such as melons.
  
  

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