http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Extreme drought conditions in the Texas Panhandle continued to affect crop and pasture conditions in the region negatively. Growers continued making good progress on cotton harvest and followed up on planting cover crops after they harvested warm-season crops. Any additional moisture from precipitation, including snow, will be highly beneficial for the early growth of cool-season small grain crops. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Nov 28, 2023 The Panhandle continued to have very dry conditions. Corn harvest was completed in most counties. Most late sorghum and corn for silage had been harvested. Tillage operations continued, especially on fields where a warm-season forage was chopped and harvested for silage purposes. Additional precipitation was needed to boost the emergence and early growth of recently planted cover crops, including acres of winter wheat planted for forage, grain or dual-purpose use. Winter wheat plantings were ongoing, with some early planting being irrigated for pasture cattle. All dryland wheat suffered from lack of rainfall; only irrigated wheat had progressed. Cotton was limited this year due to weather conditions during planting. Pasture and rangelands were reported as fair to very poor. Producers continued supplemental feeding their herds. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Nov 14, 2023 There were high winds and arid conditions in the Texas Panhandle. Some producers dusted in wheat crops in hopes of some moisture. Irrigated wheat progressed and several producers started wells for grazing. Fieldwork continued as producers prepared for the harvest of corn and sorghum. Silage choppers continued, with some producers wrapping up the year very quickly. Dry conditions were affecting pastures and rangelands. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 17, 2023 Hot and dry conditions continued across the Panhandle. Above-average temperatures and little to no rainfall caused many crops to struggle through the last part of the summer into the fall. The small amount of rain received the previous month did not last long. Most of the corn harvested was going to silage instead of grain. Producers began to defoliate cotton; irrigated acres were in good condition. Dryland cotton that survived was harvested. Pastures and rangelands were in fair condition but needed moisture. Rangelands continued to dry down and go dormant. Livestock were in good condition as ranchers fed hay and supplements daily. Hay supplies were replenished due to timely rains throughout the growing season. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Oct 3, 2023