http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Far West Texas had another week of extremely hot conditions, with temperatures in the 100s. Scattered showers provided a few tenths of an inch in the northeastern and southwestern corners of the region. Cotton was maturing quickly, with some fields close to 100% open. A few areas had defoliants sprayed on them. Overall yields were expected to be well below average. Grain sorghum crops were expected to be a loss and not harvested. Fields were resting, with most kept in place to prevent wind erosion. Pastures were all brush, with no grass in sight. Hay was being fed to livestock regularly. Livestock were in poor to fair condition. Area beef cattle producers were in full swing of weaning/shipping season, but many were having trouble keeping livestock cool, hydrated and well-fed. Dove season started with large amounts of dove noted. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 12, 2023 Daytime temperatures in Far West Texas were in the low 90s, with overnight temperatures in the lower 70s. Isolated areas received 1.5-3 inches of rain. The heavy rain saturated the soil, causing producers to take a couple of days to get into the fields. Subsoil moisture had improved, varying from short to adequate. Although it was cooler this week, this season’s extreme heat had this cotton crop deteriorating. Bolls were beginning to open prematurely with immature seeds and lint inside. Other fields continued to shed bolls, some up to eight days old. All corn was harvested, and sorghum was nearly complete. Pecans were growing well, though the wind knocked many off the branches. Rainfall encouraged a small amount of reliance on rangelands and pastures. Livestock were in poor to fair condition. Ranchers continued to take their cattle to the sale barn. Livestock producers continued supplemental feeding for the animals they have kept. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 29, 2023 Temperatures were 104-110 degrees in the lower basin areas of Far West Texas. Widespread rainfall and cooler conditions were reported in the Davis Mountain area. Some areas received up to 2 inches of rainfall. The district was in desperate need of rain to improve rangeland and soil moisture conditions. Subsoil moisture remained short to adequate. Cotton conditions were declining rapidly due to extreme heat and drought. With most fields at peak water demand, growers could not provide enough water and plants were shedding quite a few squares and small bolls, and yield potential was decreasing rapidly. Heat stress and lack of rain set sorghum behind. Corn harvest was beginning, and yields were not as good as expected. Melon harvest continued but yields were starting to decline. Sunflowers and pumpkins were growing. Pastures were completely bare except for a few patches of broomweed. Livestock producers were supplementing with hay and feed, and cattle were losing some body condition. Livestock were eating mesquite beans. Some wildlife had moved into town to graze on homeowners’ lawns. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 15, 2023 Temperatures cooled somewhat in Far West Texas but were still in the upper 90s with nighttime temperatures in the low-to-mid 70s. Lower temperatures were beneficial to crops, but the lack of rain doomed all dryland acres. Conditions continued to worsen for more producers who were forced to make drastic decisions. Crop adjusters were looking at cotton to decide if growers should keep it or take it out. Irrigated cotton continued to grow very slowly. Corn was finished and drying down, and sorghum was getting close. Melon harvest continued and yields increased with each picking. Pastures were completely bare in some areas, supplemental feeding continued. Most livestock were sold off after two years of drought conditions. Doves were moving into the district. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 1, 2023