Pasture forage quality starting to decline in Central Texas
8/13/2025 3:25:55 PM
CATEGORIES:
Plants & Wildlife
AFFECTED AREAS:
Bell County, TX
Bosque County, TX
Comanche County, TX
Coryell County, TX
Eastland County, TX
Ellis County, TX
Erath County, TX
Falls County, TX
Freestone County, TX
Hamilton County, TX
Hill County, TX
Hood County, TX
Johnson County, TX
Leon County, TX
Limestone County, TX
McLennan County, TX
Milam County, TX
Navarro County, TX
Robertson County, TX
Somervell County, TX
Williamson County, TX
Start Date: 8/12/2025
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Hot, dry conditions prevailed across Central Texas with moderate drought developing in some counties. Corn and grain sorghum harvests were in full swing with above-average yields ranging from 120-188 bushels per acre for corn and 5,000-7,000 pounds per acre for sorghum. Cotton matured well with bolls opening. Hay cutting continued with good tonnage reported. Armyworms were reported in areas that received moisture, and there was some heavy weed growth in mature corn fields. Scattered rain showers midweek provided brief relief and benefited forage. Pastures showed signs of stress from high temperatures and lack of moisture, with forage quality was beginning to decline. Stock tanks remained full from early summer rainfall. Livestock remained in good condition on pastures despite heat stress concerns. Cattle markets were holding extremely strong, but grain and cotton markets continued to struggle.
AgriLife Today (College Station, Texas), Aug 12, 2025
Sources