http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Small showers allowed West Central Texas temperatures to drop into the upper 90’s and 80’s. The forecast showed moderate chances of rain and cooler temperatures for the coming week. Some producers began field preparation for small grain planting, while others waited on rain so they could start plowing fields. Cotton crops and hay were in mostly poor to fair condition. Late-planted sorghum was struggling due to drought stress. Trees of all species were showing signs of drought/heat stress, with leaves browning and starting to fall. Some pecan producers were expecting pecan trees to struggle. Lake/stock tank water levels were dropping. Supplemental feeding of livestock increased due to the drought. Another cow herd sold out this week at a local auction barn. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Sept 12, 2023 Hot and dry weather conditions persisted in West Central Texas. Although some parts of the district received rainfall over the weekend, the drought intensified and moved the district into exceptional drought. Farmers began field preparation to plant small grains. Pecan trees were showing drought stress and dropping nuts. Row crops were suffering from extreme heat and lack of moisture. Forage and hay crops were in poor condition with limited cutting and baling of hay. Ranchers continued supplemental feeding for the livestock they kept. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 29, 2023 Temperature highs were over 100 degrees daily in West Central Texas. Conditions remained very dry in most areas. Several fires were reported. Some areas received 0.5 to more than 1 inch of rainfall. Producers continued to prepare fields for wheat, but rain will be needed before planting. Some hay cutting and baling continued, but most production ended due to dry conditions. Rangeland and pasture conditions were poor and continued to worsen. Stock tanks were declining, and some were dry. Livestock were stressed by heat, and some cows were having difficulty calving in the intense heat. Most producers continued to feed livestock or sell them. Livestock body conditions were holding, and market prices were steady to higher with good demand reported. Row crops were struggling in the hot, dry conditions. Cotton fields were blooming, but plant growth was limited. Dryland and irrigated cotton fields were struggling, and yield projections were declining. Corn and sorghum harvests finished with mixed results on yields. Pecan orchards were suffering even where irrigation was available. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 15, 2023 Hot and dry conditions continued in West Central Texas with high temperatures around 100 degrees daily. No precipitation was reported, or in the forecast. Water levels in tanks and lakes were dropping. Severe drought conditions were giving way to extreme drought levels. Some producers were cutting and baling hay fields. Hay yields were lower this cutting, and more rain will be needed for another. Some other field cultivation was underway. Cotton fields were off to slow start but in mostly fair to good condition. Dryland cotton looked poor with some reports of fields lost to heat and drought. Livestock looked good, but some were losing body condition due to the intense heat. Most classes of cattle sold $3-$8 higher per hundredweight with good demand for heifers, pairs and bred cows. Most forages without irrigation were not growing. Insect problems continued, especially grasshoppers. Trees were dropping leaves. Corn harvest was expected to start soon. Most stock tanks were still in good shape, but pastures were in poor to fair condition and declining. Burn bans were put into effect for some counties. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 1, 2023