http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Exceptional drought conditions continued in Central Texas with another week of record high temperatures, which were 10-15 degrees above normal in most areas. There were heavy rains throughout the district, which brought anywhere from a third of an inch to 3 inches, as well as cooler temperatures. Tanks that were not already dry continued to dry up. Pastures were extremely dry, and tree conditions declined. Producers feared hay wouldn’t make another crop this year. The cotton harvest neared completion, yielding around a third to a half bale per acre. Producers started thinking about planting oats for grazing but will have to wait for additional rainfall. Winter wheat planting was delayed until later in the fall to avoid as much of the first flush of Hessian flies as possible. Cattle prices remained good, along with sheep and goat prices. Livestock were being heavily supplemented. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 12, 2023 Drought conditions persisted in Central Texas with extremely hot and dry weather. Stock tank levels were steadily declining, major reservoirs drew down to critically low levels, and water restrictions became more widespread. Fire conditions persisted. A few localized, scattered showers dropped some rain but only helped lower daytime temperatures a few degrees. Heat continued to deteriorate forage, trees continued to burn, and woody brush turned yellow. The soil in pastures was cracking, and hay was being shipped in. Producers were unable to plow due to the low soil moisture. The cotton crop deteriorated near the point that additional rainfall will not help yields. Growers began seeking sources of winter cereals to plant when moisture conditions improve to establish grazing land this winter. Retailers expressed their expectations of seed shortages of both fall and winter rye and oats. Livestock producers switched supplemental feeding with little to no grazing left. Producers continued to sell and liquidate herds. The body condition scoring of cattle was thinning. The sale of steers dropped, cows were selling well, and the sale of heifers rose. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 29, 2023 Central Texas was in severe drought with persistent hot and dry weather conditions. Soil moisture levels were very short. There was zero significant rainfall. Temperatures remained over 100 degrees during the day. Native and irrigated pecan orchards were affected by heat stress, causing yield losses. Cotton plants also suffered, and bolls were opening while still small. Corn and hay harvests continued but slowed down. With the exception of a few irrigated fields, pastures and meadows were in very poor condition. Stock tanks and lake levels were low and grass fires increased. Due to the poor pasture conditions and lack of forage to graze, livestock diets were being supplemented. Livestock were in fair to good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 15, 2023 Brutally hot and dry conditions dominated Central Texas. Soil moisture levels were very short to short. Counties were setting records for the most consecutive days over 100 degrees with no rain in the forecast. Pastures and rangelands were in very poor to fair condition with many looking dried out and turning yellow. The soil was visibly cracking in pastures. Tank water was evaporating quickly. Hay feeding and supplementation began for beef herds. Livestock were in good condition, and some cattle were being shipped off pastures. Hay producers needed another rain to make a cutting of hay. Sorghum harvest was well underway. Corn harvest was progressing rapidly with above-average yields reported. Yields for the earliest corn planted in March were excellent with some reports of more than 220 bushels per acre while those planted in April were 40-60 bushels per acre. Overall, the corn yields were above average. Cotton conditions declined somewhat with the intense heat and drought. Some spider mites were showing up but were not at treatable levels yet. Trees were shedding leaves. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 1, 2023