http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Some counties were still in dire need of moisture, while others received multiple inches of rain. Cotton harvest started but may be delayed by wet field conditions. Pasture conditions were still declining in dry areas, but moisture should improve grazing in areas that received rain. Supplemental feeding continued, and the search for hay broadened. Producers continued to cull herds, and some sold out completely. Forecasts called for large amounts of rain across the district for the coming week. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 23, 2022 Extremely dry conditions dominated Central Texas. Soil moisture levels were very short. An unrelenting streak of record heat and dry conditions continued with more than 30 days of temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Stock tanks were seriously low or dry. Overall rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor. Hay prices were escalating. Producers were selling livestock due to the extreme drought conditions, and body conditions were fair. Crop conditions were poor overall. Crop yield expectations were all over the board but trending lower than previous years. Corn harvest continued, and yields were widely variable. Sorghum was maturing rapidly. Cotton growth and development was slowing, and fields were showing visible drought stress. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), July 12, 2022 Record hot conditions continued with no rainfall. There were 20 100-plus degree days reported so far. Crop drought stress continued with virtually no soil moisture. Watering restrictions were now in effect. Corn crops were burning up rapidly and otherwise showing widespread insufficient kernel fill. Pastures and rangelands were in poor condition. Stock tanks were becoming drastically low, and local ranchers were purchasing hay bales to supplement pasture growth. There were reports of round bales selling for $150 each, with some reaching $200. Some culling of beef herds was occurring due to the high feed and forage costs. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 28, 2022 The district experienced record drought and record high temperatures in May. Those dry, hot conditions continued. Recent rainfall events helped pastures and rangelands, and most areas were in fair condition. Soil moisture conditions were adequate in the majority of counties. The corn crop was trying to fill but fields were showing signs of stress. Corn conditions were deteriorating with plants on lighter texture soils showing leaf firing from the extreme heat and dryness. Hay baling operations were wrapping up a second cutting and yields looked light. Stock ponds were drawing down and water restrictions were starting. Sorghum looked decent; cotton looked average. Pastures were in fair condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), June 14, 2022