http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Temperatures in Southwest Texas remained seasonably cool. Most areas received 1-1.75 inches of rainfall, which improved soil moisture levels. Earlier planted sorghum fields were heading. Pollination was underway in corn fields. Vegetable gardens were doing well. Oats and wheat harvest were underway, but some producers were delayed by rain. Rangeland and pasture conditions were improving, and warm-season grasses were growing. Grazing conditions were fair overall. Spring flows improved following the rainfall. The moisture slowed hay cutting. Hay crops looked good, and cutting and baling activities were underway where possible. Beef cattle body condition scores averaged 4-5. Livestock and wildlife were in fair to good condition and supplemental feeding was light. Cooler weather and a chance of rain was in the forecast. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 23, 2023 Thunderstorms delivered large amounts of rain quickly. Some Southwest Texas counties reported hail. Some areas did not receive moisture. Conditions continued to decline. Widespread cloud coverage and relatively moderate temperatures slowed moisture losses, but 100 degree days were reported at the end of the week. Some tanks caught a good deal of water. No major crop or livestock hail damage was reported. Pasture conditions were good in some areas, however forage density in some pastures was not ideal. Producers were spraying weeds and fertilizing improved pastures. Rangelands remained dry, and significant acres were destocked and being cleared of brush to open areas for grazing. Livestock and wildlife were in good shape. Sheep shearing continued. Corn and sorghum fields were tillering and looked good. Some corn started tasseling. All irrigated crops looked good. Oat pastures were maturing with wheat harvesting right around the corner. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), May 9, 2023 Parts of Southwest Texas reported no rain up to 3 inches, and more precipitation was in the forecast. Some flooding was reported. Recent rains should help planted dryland crops and ease irrigation demands. The rain should also improve pasture and rangeland conditions. Creeks and ponds were still low. Much of the dryland wheat was disked under, and the remaining irrigated wheat should yield well. Relatively cool temperatures and overcast skies mitigated soil moisture losses but were holding back grass growth. Row crops benefited from recent rains and fertilizer applications. There were some reports of rust in wheat and oats, and producers were spraying fungicide. Producers were fertilizing and controlling weeds in pastures and hay fields. Corn and sorghum looked good with the rain. Livestock conditions were fair to good and continued to receive feed. Wildlife were in good shape, and several turkey sightings were reported. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 25, 2023 Many areas of Southwest Texas received some moisture with amounts ranging from a trace to 2 inches. Temperatures were slightly above average. The moisture should improve conditions for all agricultural operations, but more rain was needed. Runoff-producing rains were needed to fill stock tanks. Pastures and rangelands were showing signs of improvement but burn bans remained in some counties. Livestock were in good condition. Corn and sorghum emerged and looked good. Irrigated crops looked good. Sheep and goat markets were down last week while the cattle market remained high. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 11, 2023