http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Soil moisture was very short to adequate in Central Texas. Conditions were windy and dry, and temperatures were mild. Wheat and oats were holding on. There were some reports of leaf rust and Hessian flies. Cotton planting was underway. Corn and sorghum were emerging extremely well. The light frost last week caused some concerns about potential crop losses, but many counties reported less than 1% of crops lost. Pecan and mesquite trees have started to bud and leaf out. Stock tank levels continued to drop with the lack of rainfall. Producers were spraying weeds and fertilizing in hay fields. Pastures were greening up with some summer grasses coming out of dormancy. Warmer conditions and improving pastures resulted in higher prices in the calf market, but supplemental feeding continued. Overall, rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to fair. Livestock were in fair to good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 28, 2023 Dry conditions persisted in some parts of Central Texas while most areas received scattered rains ranging from trace amounts to 1.5 inches. Soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Additional moisture was still needed to fill stock tanks. Pastures were improving and starting to green up, with a notable emergence of broadleaf weeds. Warm-season grasses were emerging as temperatures warmed. Coastal fields were breaking dormancy with warming soil temperatures. Ornamental and shade trees started to bud. Trees stressed by drought have yet to break bud and bloom. Winter wheat looked good, and grain wheat was looking better than it has in two years. Corn silage planting was past the halfway point but slowed due to intermittent rains. Growers were expecting three to four good days of planting before the next cold front brings additional rain. Plantings should be very close to completion before the rains. Cattle were turned out into oat fields, and supplemental feeding continued. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor to fair, and livestock conditions were fair. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 14, 2023 Soil moisture in Central Texas was very short to adequate. Pastures were starting to green up with warmer temperatures, but growth was mostly weeds. Soil temperatures began to rise, but Bermuda grass remained dormant. Producers were top dressing oat and wheat fields and planting corn. Runoff from recent rains improved stock tanks, but water levels were still very low. Calving season began. Rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to good. Supplemental feeding was still necessary for livestock. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 28, 2023 Some moisture was received in Central Texas, followed by very high winds. Soil moisture was mostly adequate. Overall rangeland and pasture conditions were poor. Livestock were in fair condition and received heavy rations of supplemental feed. Producers were preparing for spring planting with some already planting corn. Wheat and oats were in fair condition after the recent moisture. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 22, 2023 Most of Central Texas received 0.5-1.5 inches of rain. Recent precipitation improved soil moisture, but pastures were still in poor condition due to the hard freeze and drought. Livestock were receiving heavy supplemental rations. Hay supplies were extremely low. Wheat and oat conditions were improving. The moisture should help the upcoming corn plantings. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb 14, 2023