http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Average rainfall in West Central Texas ranged from 1-2 inches this past week with soil conditions looking good. Several small grain fields were cut but were waiting to dry to bale. Warm season forages were being fertilized, and herbicide applied for weed control. Sorghum fields were starting good and some baling of wheat and oat fields continued as producers try to replenish depleted hay stocks while others were choosing to graze out fields. Weeds were abundant due to the rain and last two years of drought. Tree damage was seen on multiple species, including pecans having die back and live oaks dying from hypoxalon canker. Wheat remains in fair to good condition and cotton producers were spraying weeds and preparing fields for planting. Winter wheat has headed across the county and many producers have planted sorghum and sudan and have established stands. Pecan crops remain hopeful. Cattle were good as spring and summer grasses began taking off. Livestock remained in good condition. The market opened with good demand on most classes of calves and yearlings. Stocker steers and heifers both sold $5-$10 higher. Feeder steers and heifers sold steady from last week, as well as packer cows and bulls. Pairs and bred cows sold in good demand on a limited test. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 30, 2024 Severe thunderstorms hit parts of West Central Texas with high winds and hail. Temperatures ranged from the upper 60s to lower 90s. Producers cut some small grain fields for hay and increased field preparation for warm-season forage planting. Most pecan trees broke winter dormancy. Many producers were planting Sudan grass. Winter wheat needs moisture within the next week. Stock tanks needed good runoff to fill up before summer arrives. Weed management was an ongoing issue. Pasture and rangeland conditions were declining due to drier weather. Spring cattle work continued; cattle remained in good condition. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 16, 2024 Light rainfall in West Central Texas helped replenish topsoil and subsoil moisture, but more was needed to create runoff and improve rangeland and pasture conditions, as well as fill tanks and ponds. Winter wheat was improving and in good condition. Fieldwork continued in preparation for spring planting. Livestock remained in good condition as spring grasses were starting to grow. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 19, 2024