In the PANHANDLE, warm days early in the week were followed by below-average temperatures and overcast, foggy conditions. Land preparation for spring planting was limited due to wet fields. Soil moisture was rated mostly adequate to surplus. Cotton ginning continued, and wheat was rated mostly fair to good with excellent moisture. Range conditions were very poor to good with most areas reporting poor to fair. Cattle are in fair to good condition.
In the SOUTH PLAINS, soil moisture was adequate. The weather was sunny most of the week with temperatures in the seventies, but the highs dropped into the low forties toward the end of the week. Wheat is in fair to good condition. Variations in temperatures have hurt wheat growth, but wet, cool temperatures are helping maintain underground moisture. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition. Cattle are in good condition and supplemental feeding was less due to warmer weather.
In the ROLLING PLAINS region, cold weather, rain, sleet and snow gave western parts of the area another taste of winter. The “arctic blast” led to increased supplemental feeding of livestock as pasture conditions worsened. Winter grazing was not sufficient to support cattle, and hay supplies are still extremely low. Wheat looks good, and a large number of cattle have been grazing on some wheat pastures. Many producers still trying to apply fertilizer to pastures. Large ranches began fall-born calf branding.
In the NORTH part of the state, soil moisture was adequate to surplus. Some areas were too wet for farming activity to take place. Ground preparation for planting corn will begin later in the month if the weather permits. Winter wheat was in good condition, and most producers were able to fertilize it. In other areas, the wheat was "waterlogged," but warmer weather has helped wheat and pastures improve. Hay supplies were tight and, in some cases, exhausted. No insect damage was reported, and ponds and lakes have filled.
In EASTern Texas, ponds and lakes are full and soil moisture has improved. Producers continued to supplementally feed cattle. Calf prices were up, but corn prices continued to hurt them to some degree. Preparation for vegetable planting was under way, but was hampered in some areas due to wet conditions. Early-week temperatures were in the 20s F, but increased as the week progressed. Warmer temperatures and sunlight improved forage conditions. Pond levels are at or near normal. Hay supplies are short. Cattle are in good condition thanks to supplementation, and winter forage has made good growth.
In the WEST CENTRAL region, temperatures fluctuated and light, scattered showers were reported in a few areas. Wheat and oat crops were doing well with the recent moisture, though some wheat crops remained in poor condition. Range and pastures improved after recent rains. Winter forbs and grasses are growing. Livestock are in poor to fair condition. Supplemental feeding continued. Some producers are running out of hay. Stock tanks remained very low to dry. Cows are calving. 4-H’ers prepared for the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.
In CENTRAL Texas, warm weather and sunshine allowed small grains and winter grasses to grow, which was a boost to livestock producers. Some land was prepared for corn and vegetables. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued. Runoff is needed to insure adequate irrigation water.
In the SOUTHEAST area, sunshine during the middle of the week helped dry out soils and promote winter annual growth. Ryegrass or legumes were growing slowly. Excessive rains caused wet conditions. Pastures without winter rye and/or clover are losing livestock; some animals have starved. Hay availability remains low so hay sales were limited. Rains continued to delay spring land preparation.
In the SOUTHWEST, surface moisture conditions were excellent, but the soil profile remained dry. Cold weather helped conserve moisture, and forage availability has improved due to recent rainfall. However, it has prevented major forage production. Fields are now ready for early corn, cotton and sorghum planting. Planting is normal, but crop and forage production will not be sustained unless additional rainfall is received. Potatoes were planted and cabbage was harvested; spinach and carrot planting was resumed as fields dried.
In the COASTAL BEND, temperatures warmed but little rainfall was reported. Most row-crop farmers need to apply fertilizer for their spring crops, but field work has been limited due to excess soil moisture. Corn planting will begin as soon as fields dry adequately. Winter forages such as clovers, ryegrass, winter wheat and oats are in good shape, but need more sunshine. Wet pasture conditions have stressed livestock; producers continued to provide supplemental feed to cattle.
In the SOUTH, soil moisture conditions were short to very short. Moisture was low enough in the western parts of the region to allow some controlled pasture burning. Sugarcane, citrus and vegetable harvests continued. Spring crop preparations continued.
For Texas Cooperative Extension, I'm Robert Burns, reporting from East Texas
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