http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Rain was received, which should help Southwest Texas pastures and provide moisture for upcoming row crop plantings. Temperatures fluctuated, with rainfall ranging from trace amounts up to 1.25 inches. Colder temperatures, including a hard freeze and precipitation, were expected this week. The freeze may temporarily set back early germinating warm-season plants, though no major damage was anticipated. Livestock conditions remained good. Cattle and sheep prices were high, and producers were managing the cost of winter feed. Supplemental feeding and livestock number reductions continued regularly. Spring lambing, kidding and calving were ongoing. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 19, 2025 A cold front brought moisture, with rain shower totals ranging from 0.5 to 2 inches. Some areas reported flowing rivers. Warmer temperatures over the weekend should help pastures green up. Further freeze damage was being observed in rangeland and some small fruit trees. Overall, range and pasture conditions remained dry. Cool-season forages were baled, and cool-season range plants were showing late winter to early spring growth. However, little forage growth had occurred due to cool weather conditions. Winter wheat emerged and was in good condition. Livestock markets remained steady to high. Some gardeners began preparing for spring planting. Producers continued to reduce livestock numbers. Lambing and kidding were underway. Livestock were receiving supplemental feed and were in mostly fair to good condition. Warmer temperatures were expected next week. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 4, 2025 Conditions remained very dry across most parts of Southwest Texas. The cold front delivered 0.30-1.5 inches of precipitation, with no runoff reported. Rivers were flowing slightly more compared to the previous week. Temperatures warmed slightly, with lows in the 40s at night and daytime highs in the upper 50s. Although temperatures had returned to more mild conditions, a hard freeze was reported on back-to-back days, causing minimal damage. Dry conditions contributed to declining pasture and range conditions. Small grain plantings had largely failed due to insufficient rainfall. While some tall grass remained in pastures, winter weeds were absent, and standing grass lacked in nutritional value for livestock. Dry conditions combined with high winds increased wildfire risks. Lambing and kidding began under cold temperatures, and supplemental feeding of livestock had resumed. Livestock body conditions remained fair to good overall. A strong arctic front was expected to bring frigid conditions but limited precipitation. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Jan 22, 2025