http://droughtreporter.unl.edu/

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Conditions in South Texas were hot and dry for most of the week with some midweek rain showers that brought a couple of inches of rain to parts of the district. Some areas continued to suffer from extended drought, and irrigation through local water canals was closed due to a lack of available water. Stock tank levels remained a concern for some producers, and soil moisture was short. Crops and rangeland began to show drought stress due to the lack of significant rainfall. Corn grew steadily, cotton was being planted, and fieldwork for peanuts began. Strawberry producers continued harvesting and moving produce. Row crops that survived the flooding rains at the beginning of the month recovered and progressed well. Follow-up rains will be needed to sustain crops through the hotter part of the growing season. Wheat and oat crops continued to mature, and fields were prepared for harvest. Onion harvest continued. Corn, grain sorghum and cotton crops progressed and showed very little insect pressure. Sunflowers were in full bloom. Sesame emerged with good stands. Hay producers baled their hay meadows, and recent moisture, well-timed herbicide and fertilizer applications contributed to good bale-per-acre yields. Some citrus orchards were removed. Livestock and wildlife were in good condition and benefited from moderate temperatures, though supplemental feeding remained necessary. Pastures and rangelands continued to recover and improve with recent rainfall. Local livestock markets reported average volumes this week with steady and strong prices for all classes of beef cattle, and feed prices remained high at local feed stores. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 29, 2025 The week of April 7 was dry in South Texas. Conditions remained cool with hot afternoons, as temperatures and wind gusts increased. No rain was in the extended forecast. Drought conditions persisted. Local agricultural irrigation canals remained closed due to the low water levels in Lake Amistad. Topsoil and subsoil conditions decreased due to the hot weather. Most fields dried up from the previous rain event and farmers returned for fieldwork. Crops were damaged due to standing water left in several fields from flooding in early April. Many fields had no crops, and soil erosion increased. However, the extent of the damage was still being evaluated. Crops that did not experience prolonged standing water responded well to the moisture. Pastures and citrus also benefited greatly from the rain. Row crop farmers pressed forward with planting and hoped to finish by the middle of next week, though some were still waiting to plant cotton. Producers stayed busy spraying for weeds and fertilizing crop and pastures. Growers also made fungicide, and foliar nutrient applications. Others cultivated and side-dressed fertilizer. Mesquite and weed activity increased. Wheat and oat crops continued to mature, and fields were being prepared for harvest in the coming weeks. Field activity increased as farmers began preparing for peanut planting. Hay producers cultivated fields and planted hay grazer. Vegetable farmers harvested carrots, cabbage, onions and leafy greens. Sunflower fields showed much improvement, and some fields began flowering. Some grain sorghum fields showed signs of iron chlorosis. Corn and sorghum fields continued to progress. Sesame was being planted and expected to continue for another two weeks. Rains from the previous week helped green up grass, but more rain was needed for long-term improvement in rangeland and pasture conditions. Brushy plants were fully leafed out and in various stages of bloom, and prickly pear was in full bloom. Rangeland conditions improved, but heavily stocked pastures still required supplemental feeding, and pest pressure was an issue. Supplemental feeding for cattle was expected to decrease as grass production increased. Local sale barns reported smaller numbers of sales but good prices across all classes of cattle. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), April 15, 2025 Temperatures rose above 90 degrees each afternoon in South Texas, depleting topsoil and subsoil moisture. Rain was badly needed. Windy, dry and hot conditions with low humidity created fire risks, and small fires were reported in Frio County. Dry, windy conditions hindered planting, fieldwork and pesticide spraying. Row crop farmers planted to meet deadlines. Germinated corn and grain sorghum showed moisture stress. Citrus trees finished blooming and set fruit. The onion crop neared harvest, and cantaloupe planting was in full swing. Dryland wheat was in poor condition. Vegetable farmers harvested leafy greens, cabbage, onions and carrots with good yields reported. Watermelons were transplanted and off to a good start, but moisture was needed for the young crops. Rangeland and pasture forages were poor as the early green-up last month declined. Brush bloomed, and mesquite leafed out. Pastures were dry with little grass for grazing, leading to continued hay supplementation. Prickly pear turned yellow and struggled, making it unusable for cattle. Supplemental feeding of beef cattle and wildlife continued, with producers culling herds in preparation for extended drought. Auction barns reported plenty of lightweight calves selling early, though cattle prices remained high. Beef cattle producers weaned calves at lower weights, and some moved cattle to other pastures due to water shortages. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 18, 2025 South Texas soil moisture conditions varied, with some areas retaining topsoil moisture while others remained dry. Strawberries flowered and grew fruit, and growers using row covers started harvesting. Bermuda grass was sprigged. Farmers were slow to plant due to cold and dry conditions. Local irrigation water canals remained closed for agricultural irrigation, with no production crops to report. Leafy greens were still being harvested. Row crop farmers resumed planting after the last freeze threat passed. Sorghum and corn stands looked good but needed additional moisture soon. Citrus and vegetable harvests continued. Cotton producers hoped for improved soil moisture to begin planting. Livestock and wildlife remained in good condition, but some producers provided water to ponds for them. As temperatures rose, rangeland areas greened due to blooming trees and shrubs, while grass and forb species remained unchanged. Ranchers continued to provide hay and supplemental feed. Some ranchers reduced herd sizes due to drought. Local markets reported average volumes this week, with stronger prices for all classes of beef cattle. AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), March 4, 2025