http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

v 2.4.3.0

Conditions in South Texas fluctuated in terms of temperature with very warm to cool days. Mornings were foggy and afternoons were clear. No significant rainfall fell, except for Dimmit County which reported light rain over two days. Drought conditions continued to persist with no rain in the forecast. Topsoil and subsoil conditions were very short. Row crop producers continued planting corn and grain sorghum as they tried to take advantage of whatever soil moisture remained. Cotton planting should follow soon. Citrus harvest continued, and producers reported minimal damage due to last month’s freeze. Some citrus trees were beginning to show new blooms for the coming year. Leafy greens were being harvested. Range and pastures remained in poor condition. Winter weeds were thriving in some areas and provided some grazing for beef cattle and wildlife. Beef cattle producers continued supplementing their herds with hay, range cubes and molasses/protein/mineral tubs. Local markets remained strong with above-average offerings and steady prices for all classes of beef cattle. Beef cattle producers continued thinning herds amid dry conditions and to take advantage of good market prices. Feed prices were still high, and hay demand continued. Ranchers and deer producers continued to supplement their livestock and wildlife, with some producers supplying water to their ponds for cattle and wildlife. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 19, 2025 South Texas temperatures were as low as 38 degrees at night with daytime highs in the 70s. No measurable rainfall was reported, though some areas reported fog and morning dew. Topsoil moisture conditions were still poor in most areas with some reports of adequate conditions. Most parts of the district needed additional rain to prepare for the upcoming planting season. Farmers and row crop producers prepared fields to plant corn and sorghum in hopes of taking advantage of adequate soil moisture. Planting should pick up over the next few weeks, with a few farmers planting corn already. Citrus producers continued to harvest and evaluate potential damage to fruit and trees after the recent freeze. Oat fields continued to progress and were in excellent condition. Onions and other vegetables looked good and recovered from the freeze while leafy greens showed signs of freeze damage. The local water irrigation canals remained closed with no available water for the local agriculture due to water scarcity in the Rio Grande River. Range and pastures continued to suffer due to the recent freeze with most pastures displaying burnt tops. Standing forage was dry and was posing a fire danger. Conditions were very tough on livestock and wildlife with the wet and cool weather and poor range and pasture conditions. Producers continued to supplement livestock diets with hay and protein, and some producers were hauling water. Some cattle producers burned prickly pear for their cattle. Hay was in high demand, resulting in price increases. Feed costs were also high at local stores. One local beef cattle market reported above-average sale volumes after the winter storm prevented the previous week’s sale. Feeder calf prices continued to climb and were at an all-time high. Prices on cull cows and bulls were strong as well. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Feb 4, 2025