http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

The Panhandle remained dry. The overall topsoil and subsoil moisture was very short to short. Wheat and oat conditions were very poor to fair and continued to deteriorate. Producers with irrigation were applying water and barely keeping up. Soil conditions were worsening. Spring plantings were still undecided due to poor planting conditions. Dirt in dryland wheat fields was blowing on windy days. The high winds caused erosion to occur in dry fields, county roads and some native rangeland. Cattle diets were being supplemented. Preplant activity was minimal, especially tillage. The overall condition of pasture and range was very poor to poor. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 28, 2023 The Texas Panhandle needed moisture. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels were very short to short. Producers continued field preparations, including fertilizer, manure and compost applications. Mild weather and wind negatively impacted soil moisture. Producers were wondering what to plant due to the lack of moisture and how crops might progress without moisture. Winter wheat was in very poor to fair condition. Small grains should be jointing but were not, which likely means low yields. It could also mean wheat may not get tall enough to harvest. Irrigation was in full swing for wheat and pre-watering for summer crops. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to poor. Spring rangeland and small grain forages were declining sooner than normal. Cattle were being pulled off the limited pasture available and hauled to feed yards or sale barns. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 14, 2023 Dry conditions continued across the Texas Panhandle, though some areas received light rains. High winds dried the moisture quickly. Soil moisture levels were very short to short. Wind gusts between 75-114 mph were reported. Damage included downed power lines, trees and several roofs destroyed. Constant wind made it extremely hard to plant wheat. Most farmers were having to replant fields that were blown out, but expectations were low due to low moisture. Pastures and rangeland were in poor condition, and producers continued to feed hay and supplements. Producers may start moving herds soon due to short hay supplies and little to no wheat for grazing. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 28, 2023 Dry conditions persisted across the Panhandle. Soil moisture was very short to short. Very little farming activity was reported. High winds caused a lot of dust in the air and damaged some wheat fields with marginal stands. Rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to poor. Cattle on rangeland were being supplemented. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 22, 2023 The Panhandle received some snow flurries, but no major accumulation was reported. The district remained very dry. Soil moisture levels were very short to short. Winter wheat was struggling due to the lack of moisture. Pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to poor. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb 14, 2023