http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

South Texas reported generally hot weather conditions with very short soil moisture levels. Hot, dry and windy weather conditions prevailed, but spotty rains helped some crops develop, though many fields were two to three months behind schedule. Sporadic rains helped pastures, but producers still relied on supplemental feed and hay. Producers were still hauling hay and water. Ranchers and deer breeders were supplementing their livestock and wildlife. Irrigation was taking place on most crops. Corn had begun to tassel but yields may be low due to lack of moisture. Farmers were irrigating corn and sorghum crops, but some were holding off watering cotton in expectation of irrigation water likely being limited. Dryland pastures were overgrazed and distressed. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 10, 2022 Most areas of South Texas reported very short moisture levels. Fire dangers remained due to dry conditions. Scattered rains delivered scant moisture. Crop and rangeland conditions were very poor. Most dryland sorghum fields had been abandoned. Irrigated row crops, including corn, sorghum, cotton and soybeans were receiving water. Dryland cotton emergence was spotty. Pest and disease issues were very light. Cattle and wildlife continued to suffer due to lack of forage. Some producers were reporting fair rangeland and pasture conditions and summer grass growth. Cattle producers continued to sell calves at lighter weights and cull their herds. There were reports of herd liquidations. Producers continued to haul hay and provide supplements, and some were hauling water. Sale barns were reporting average sale volumes and steady prices. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 26, 2022 Northern and eastern parts of the district reported very short moisture levels, while southern and western areas reported short soil moisture. Some planted sorghum fields were abandoned. Cotton and sorghum fields were showing spotty emergence. Irrigated corn fields looked moisture stressed. Some farmers were preparing to irrigate as further restrictions by water districts were likely around the corner. Pasture and rangeland conditions were mostly poor and continued to decline. Livestock and wildlife producers were providing heavy supplemental feed for their animals. Producers were hauling hay, cubes and water. Hay and feed prices continued to rise. Cattle prices were steady as producers continued to reduce herd numbers. Increased numbers of deer were being hit along roadsides as they sought forages. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 19, 2022 Northern parts of South Texas reported very short moisture levels, while southern areas reported very short to adequate moisture. Eastern and western areas reported short soil moisture. Irrigation pivots were running on wheat and row crops, including corn and sorghum. Some planted sorghum fields were already abandoned. Emergence in some planted sorghum and cotton fields was spotty. Some Bermuda grass fields were being watered. Those fields were green and nearing their first cutting. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor in most areas, while a few areas were reporting fair to good rangeland conditions. Wildfire potential was high. Some producers were dealing with small brush fires, but Duval County reported around 11,000 acres burned. Stock tanks were low. Producers were hauling hay, and some were hauling water. Hay supplies were declining, with bales around $60-$80 each. Cattle producers were culling cows and calves deeper. Wildlife foraging increased along roadsides. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 12, 2022 Northern and eastern parts of South Texas reported very short moisture levels while western and southern areas reported short to adequate soil moisture. Conditions were windy and dry, and temperatures were rising. Farmers were starting to dry-plant fields before insurance deadlines pass. Rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor across most of the district. Ranchers were providing heavy supplemental rations to cattle. Producers continued to cull herds, and some were hauling water. Some water wells were running dry, and stock tanks were low. Coastal Bermuda grass was being irrigated. Hay supplies were declining, and feed and hay prices were rising. Cattle prices at market remained steady, but body condition scores were declining in some areas. Wildlife deaths along roadsides were climbing due to lack of forage and browse beyond road ditches. Fire potential was very high due to dry conditions and winds, and some fires were reported. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 5, 2022 Most areas of South Texas reported short soil moisture levels, but some parts of the district reported very short or adequate soil moisture conditions. Most farmers continued to wait for significant rainfall before planting, but some had already planted corn and sorghum and were preparing to plant cotton. Some planted sorghum acres failed to create stands. Sunflowers, corn and grain sorghum looked good in some areas but will need rainfall soon. Some corn was under irrigation. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor. Ranchers continued to provide heavy rations of supplemental feed to livestock. More producers were looking for hay as supplies continued to dwindle. Feed and hay prices continued to rise. Stock tanks were low, and some producers were hauling water. Some producers will be forced to cull deeper if drought conditions persist. Cattle prices were steady for all classes, and sale volumes were normal. Some hay fields were being irrigated. Fire activity was rising across the district, with more than 4,000 acres reported burned in two counties. Fires have caused widespread damage to ranching operations. Wildlife were browsing along roadsides. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 29, 2022 Northern, eastern and western parts of South Texas reported very short to short moisture levels while southern areas reported adequate moisture. Crop fields were being irrigated. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to decline, and producers continued to provide hay and feed. Stock tanks were low, and some producers were hauling water. Beef cattle markets saw high volumes as producers continued to cull herds. Cull cow and bull prices were high. Body condition scores continued to decline. Several fires were reported. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 22, 2022 Fieldwork continued in South Texas, but most growers were delaying planting until rains improve soil moisture levels. Soil moisture levels were very short to short in the northern, eastern and western areas of the district and mostly adequate in southern parts. Pastures and rangelands were bare in many areas. Ranchers continued to provide heavy supplemental feed rations and cull herds. Stock tanks were low. Cattle sale volumes were above average with reports of feeder cattle prices dropping $20 per hundredweight. Pastures and rangelands were greening up some in areas that received moisture. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 15, 2022 Soil moisture levels in South Texas ranged from very short to adequate, but dry, windy conditions prevailed. Conditions were extremely dry in some areas. Farmers planted some corn, but many were holding off on grain sorghum due to very dry conditions and lack of soil moisture. Producers continued to provide supplemental feed to livestock and were selling cattle due to drought. Wildlife were browsing along roadsides. Rangeland and pasture conditions continue to decline. Stock tanks were declining, and some were dry. Hay prices were $60-$80 per bale. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 8, 2022 Northern and eastern parts of South Texas were very short on moisture while western and southern areas received short to adequate moisture. Irrigated food plots of oats looked good, but non-irrigated were no longer growing. Farmers in some areas were hesitant about planting because soils were powder dry. In other areas, farmers were slowly planting according to the amount of soil moisture available in fields. Livestock producers were providing heavy amounts of supplemental feed, marketing calves and culling cows in drier areas. Many pastures have little to no grass. Reports of fires increased, and ungrazed pastures pose a fire danger. Stock tank levels were fair. Areas with more moisture reported mixed pasture conditions with grasses and forbs emerging from dormancy. AgriLife (College Station, Texas), March 2, 2022 Soil moisture levels in northern, western and eastern parts of South Texas remained very short. Field conditions were deteriorating. Wind speeds increased and fire hazards were high. A few fires were reported. One fire consumed more than 200 bales of hay. Rangeland and pasture conditions were mostly poor. Livestock and wildlife were receiving heavy rations of supplemental feed. Feed and hay were in higher demand. Ranchers were selling calves at lighter weights, but prices were steady. Coastal Bermuda grass remained dormant but was being irrigated. Producers in southern areas of the region with more moisture were reporting decent pasture conditions and good body scores in cattle. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 24, 2022 Northern, eastern and western parts of South Texas reported very short to short soil moisture levels while southern areas reported adequate moisture. Conditions were drier than normal. Fields were dusty and dry. Producers were expressing skepticism about spring planting without significant moisture. Pastures looked dry and dormant, and livestock producers were providing heavy supplemental feed. Stock tanks were low. Cattle sales were above normal, but prices were steady. Round bale hay prices were $50-$95. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 15, 2022 Fall oat and wheat crops in South Texas were beginning to improve slightly due to the recent rainfall but the moisture was expected to be short-lived. Rangeland and pasture ratings ranged from very poor to good with some producers reporting above-average conditions for this time of year. Livestock producers were busy feeding cattle and putting hay out due to very cold weather and dry conditions. The cold weather drove local wildlife to browse near roadsides. Ranchers were marketing livestock in higher-than-normal volumes. Prices for feeder cattle and quality cull cows were steady to a slightly higher. Stock tank levels were fair. Hay prices were increasing. A small percentage of Bermuda grass pastures remained in good condition, but most acres were brown following the frost. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 8, 2022 Northern areas of South Texas remained very short on moisture, while western areas reported short soil moisture levels despite rainy conditions. Row crop fields will need significant rainfall for preparation and planting. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 1, 2022 The northern, western and eastern parts of the district continued to experience dry weather and very short soil moisture levels. Southern areas reported wet conditions and adequate soil moisture. Farmers were idle and waiting for rainfall to be forecast so they could apply preplant fertilizers and chemicals. The lack of rain was impacting oat field production. Rangelands were dormant due to lack of moisture but looked good in areas with moisture. A freeze around three weeks ago knocked back green grasses in some areas, and while some were recovering, dry conditions were slowing the process. Ranchers were feeding cattle and other livestock and providing protein for wildlife. Cattle were beginning to browse pear cactus, and cattle body conditions were declining in some areas. Stock tanks were low and declining. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 25, 2022