http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Scattered rain was reported throughout South Texas. Corn and sorghum planting was wrapping up, and most of the planted fields had emerged. Most crops and croplands were being irrigated. Some cotton was still being planted, and sesame planting was underway. Strawberry harvest was underway, but damp conditions were slowing harvest. Onions were doing well. Wheat and oat crops were in the soft dough stage. Some producers were tilling to prevent wind erosion. Winds were causing erosion, but also reducing soil moisture and stressing young plants. Fields were being prepared for spring food plots of sorghum and sunflowers. Spinach planting was complete, and harvest continued. Citrus, sugarcane and cool-season vegetables, including onions, were being harvested. Moisture has slightly helped some pastures, but more rain is needed. Pasture and rangeland conditions improved in a few areas but continued to decline due to a lack of moisture in most areas. Supplemental feeding continued for livestock. Producers continued to cull herds. Cattle markets were reporting above-average sale volumes, but prices continued to be strong in all classes of cattle. Feed and hay prices continued to increase. Pastures were being fertilized and recovering from winter dormancy and moisture stress. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 28, 2023 Corn and sorghum planting continued in South Texas, with most corn acres planted already with slow germination reported. Cotton planting was underway, with some fields already emerging. Some cotton and sorghum plantings were delayed as producers waited for rain, but other cotton and corn fields were being dry planted. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to improve, but forage availability was poor, and livestock supplemental feeding continued. Farmers with irrigation were watering crops. Citrus farmers were irrigating trees where water was available, and some will be harvesting their late-season oranges soon. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 14, 2023 Soil moisture levels in South Texas were very short to short. Windy conditions were reported in some areas. Temperatures were above normal. Strawberries were starting to flower and put on fruit. Other fruit crops were also budding out and flowering. Some producers were preparing crop fields, and planting was underway in parts of the district. Most corn planting was complete in southern parts of the district, and sorghum planting was in full swing. Some early planted corn and sorghum established good stands. Citrus, sugarcane and winter vegetable harvests continued. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor to good, but most areas were declining. Crops were being irrigated. Supplemental feeding continued or increased to maintain good body condition scores in all livestock. Prices for feed, hay and supplements were still high and increasing. Cattle prices were steady. Mesquite trees were leafing out. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 28, 2023 Soil moisture conditions in South Texas were very short to adequate. Temperatures were cooler with windy conditions reported in some areas. Some producers started planting corn according to soil moisture levels in fields. Most growers were expected to wait for rain over the next two weeks. Some planted fields germinated but were stressed by high winds. Crops under irrigation continued to progress. Growers with irrigation were planting corn, sorghum and sunflowers. Some late-planted onions were being irrigated. Rangeland and pasture conditions were very poor to fair. Conditions were improving in some areas but continued to decline in most areas. Wildfires were a concern in areas with standing grasses. Supplemental feeding continued for livestock, and body conditions were good. Prices for feed, hay and supplements continued to increase. Some producers continued to cull their herds. Beef cattle prices were steady to higher with above-average sale volumes. Landowners continued to provide wildlife with supplemental food. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb 22, 2023 Soil moisture levels in South Texas were very short to short in most areas with some southern areas reporting adequate soil moisture. Producers were preparing for planting and monitoring soil moisture levels. Corn planting should begin when soil moisture becomes adequate for germination. Corn, sunflowers and sorghum were being planted in southern areas of the district with adequate moisture, but a rain would help those fields. Some planted fields were irrigated. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor, and grazing was limited in most areas, but some decent grazing was reported in southern parts of the district. Hay and feed prices continued to increase as producers continued to supplement livestock rations. Producers continued to cull bulls and cows, and market prices were strong to steady. Livestock were in decent shape. Wheat and oat fields were in good condition but dry conditions and freezing temperatures were showing in some fields. AgriLife (Texas A&M) (College Station, Texas), Feb 14, 2023