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Temperatures in Central Texas remained mild, and there was much-needed rain. The rainfall improved soil moisture levels that were short to adequate. Topsoil moisture levels were adequate for planting but too wet to run equipment in fields. More rain was in the forecast. Tanks were filling up but still needed runoff. Rivers and streams were flowing for the first time in a while. There was still a bit of cotton to plant and planted cotton was slow growing due to cool, wet conditions. Wheat and oat fields were mature; however, harvesting was very limited due to the moisture. Winter wheat was starting to die in the field. Some planted oats were grazed off. Corn and sorghum crops benefitted from the moisture and cooler weather patterns, but some producers noticed some corn chlorosis. Disease, insects and weed pressure were a big concern. The AgriLife Extension agent in Erath County received several calls about mesquite cutworms. Most peanuts were planted last week. Pecan growers started spraying for pecan nut casebearer. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Areas that dried out enough got a good hay cutting in. Livestock were in good condition. Fly numbers were gradually increasing. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 23, 2023 Rain across Central Texas ranged from traces to 1.5 inches with spotty hail and high winds. Soil moisture levels were adequate to surplus. Pastures looked good and were improving. Producers were preparing for hay season. Runoff rainfall was still needed to fill some tank levels. Temperatures rose into the 90s toward the end of the week creating very humid conditions. Warm-season pasture growth was delayed with cooler overnight temperatures over recent weeks, but native and improved grasses were starting to respond well. Pasture and rangeland were very poor to excellent. Cattle were in good body condition and grazing cool-season pastures. Livestock fly numbers steadily increased with warmer temperatures. Crop conditions were good to excellent. Some hail damage to wheat, oats and corn was reported. Corn and sorghum crops were developing rapidly. There were some fertility deficiencies in corn with the wet conditions and lack of opportunity to top-dress nitrogen. Wheat was maturing but will need a few weeks before harvesting begins. Excess moisture was slowing cotton growth and delaying replanting. Forecasted rainfall was a concern for rapidly maturing wheat. Corn planting concluded. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 9, 2023 Some Central Texas counties received beneficial rainfall while others saw very little to none. Soil moisture levels were adequate to surplus. Two lakes in the district received some runoff and water levels have increased slightly, but most stock tanks were still not full. Recent heavy rainfalls over eastern parts of the district allowed cotton planting into good moisture. There was hail and rain damage to about 5% of the corn and grain sorghum stands. Temperatures remained mild. The week started off warm, then turned cool with cold nights. Cold nights slowed corn growth. Green-up was delayed, and heavy winter weed growth was reported. Stock tanks were observed with abnormally high amounts of algae and other vegetation. Rust and armyworms below thresholds were observed in some wheat crops in one northern county. Wheat was mostly grazed out. Warm-season grasses were slow growing due to the cool evening temperatures, but the rainfall should help them as temperatures warm. Spring-planted oats have headed out, but very little. Producers were in the middle of planting cotton. Cotton needed warmer weather to break the soil and come up. Wheat crops were not turning, a result of crop fill and heavy feeding damage by Hessian fly pupae. Wheat leaf rust pressure continued to intensify under moderate temperatures and moisture. Corn and sorghum were developing very well. First hay cuttings continued, and forage volumes looked good. Pastures were being grazed, and supplemental feeding was declining. Fly numbers on livestock were elevated. Producers were doing spring cattle work. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor to fair, and livestock were in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 25, 2023 Temperatures in Central Texas were mild with windy conditions. Southern counties received more rain than northern counties, with some southern counties receiving more than 3 inches of rainfall. The northern counties remained very dry with some reporting they are 16 inches below normal expected rainfall for the past year. Soil moisture levels were very short to adequate. Tanks were low and some were dry. One county may see river and lake irrigation cut off without rainfall to recharge water levels. Counties that received rain reported very little runoff. Rangeland and pasture ratings were poor to fair. Spring and summer grasses were coming out of dormancy along with most weeds. Weed pressure in untreated areas was above normal. Some tree damage was caused by high winds during storms in southern counties. There was minor hail damage to some crops as well. Zinc sprays on pecan trees were underway. Corn and sorghum planting was nearly finished, and producers were getting ready to start planting cotton. Warmer conditions and improving pasture conditions resulted in strong sheep, goat and cattle markets. Supplemental feeding was slowing gradually in some areas. Livestock were in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 11, 2023