In the PANHANDLE, temperatures were above average before a mid-week cold front caused them to plunge to zero. Two to 3 inches of snow fell, limiting land preparation for spring planting. Soil moisture is rated mostly adequate to surplus. Cotton ginning continues to be active. Wheat is rated mostly fair to good with excellent moisture. Range conditions run from very poor to excellent with most areas reporting fair. Cattle are in fair to good condition.
In the SOUTH PLAINS, soil moisture is adequate. Mild temperatures and wind started the week, followed by a cold front pushing through on Tuesday bringing rain and snow and through Thursday. Wheat is in fair to good condition. Pastures and ranges are in fair to good condition. Extreme cold temperatures are causing stress to area livestock. Supplemental feeding continues.
In the ROLLING PLAINS, cold temperatures returned, lowering forage growth and increasing supplemental feeding. Lice infestation on cattle continue to cause problems in weight gains and thriftiness. In parts of the district, winter wheat has been grazed heavily due to poor range conditions, hay is in short supply and the unpredictable weather has been hard on livestock. Other counties report range and pastures in good condition and livestock are gaining well and are in good condition.
In the NORTH, soil moisture is adequate. It is still too wet for spring seed and bed preparation. Winter wheat is in good condition. Top dressing wheat and other winter pasture is underway. The extended cold snap slowed pasture and crop growth. Heavy feeding of livestock is in progress. Producers are concerned about short hay supplies. Range and pasture conditions are fair. Winter pastures are holding on, but need more rainfall, along with sun and milder temperatures.
In the EAST, some disease problems are showing up on wheat due to wet humid conditions, as well as freeze damage in early planted vegetables. Producers cannot top dress wheat because it’s too wet. Ryegrass and clovers are making good growth and should improve with warmer temperatures and sunshine. Cattle are in good to fair condition. Lice are a problem in some herds. Winter pasture progress has been slowed due to cold weather. Cattle supplementation continues, as does calving season.
In the FAR WEST, soil moisture ranges from very short to surplus, and crops and pastures are in very poor to good condition. Winter wheat varies from very poor to excellent conditions. Oats are in poor to good condition. No significant moisture was reported.
In the WEST CENTRAL, the cold temperatures were back this week, with some small amounts of snow and rain. Soil moisture is improving. Some field preparation is underway for spring hay crops. Cold winter conditions have slowed most rangeland and pasture growth, but some winter grasses and forbs are starting to show. Supplemental feeding continues. Hay and feed is in very short supply. Stock tanks need water. Livestock are in fair condition.
In the CENTRAL, very cold temperatures last week put further pressure on livestock producers with limited grazing and short hay supplies to keep up adequate supplemental feeding programs for livestock herds.
In the SOUTHEAST, cold overcast conditions have stressed hay supplies and stopped winter annual growth. The ground is still wet and temperatures dropped to a low of 25 degrees. This winter has been extremely wet, with rainfall every week. This is making conditions hard for ranchers, who are having to feed hay. Most ranchers sold the hay they are now needing to others that were in drought conditions.
In the SOUTHWEST, cool, open weather conditions continue with good surface moisture. The soil profile is still dry. Forage availability has improved and fields are ready for early corn, cotton and sorghum planting. More rainfall is needed to sustain the agricultural production momentum this spring. Potato planting is about complete. Harvesting of cabbage, spinach and some carrots continues. Good spinach quality and yields are being reported.
Not report was available for the COASTAL BEND region.
In the SOUTH, soil moisture conditions are short to adequate throughout most of the region. Pasture conditions are fair. Planting of crops has been delayed in most of the area due to cooler than normal weather conditions. The harvesting of citrus, vegetables and sugarcane is still underway. Some producers in the western region are still preparing for spring planting, while others have already started planting grain sorghum.
For Texas Cooperative Extension, I’m Kay Ledbetter reporting from Amarillo.
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