Adaptability and resilience remain key as drought covers much of the state’s rangeland
Texas Crop and Weather Report
Most of Texas’ rangelands remain under drought conditions, but timely spring rains in some areas have set the stage for recovery, according to Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
“Much of the Cross Timbers, Concho Valley and Hill Country are in pretty good shape this year in terms of forage production,” said Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management and Texas A&M AgriLife Research assistant professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, Bryan-College Station. “This would be the year for those livestock producers to build in some recovery time for rangeland pastures that have been dealing with ongoing drought.”
Removing the stress of grazing while forages and plants are actively growing allows the plants to allocate their energy reserves into leaf growth and root development, said Morgan Treadwell, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service rangeland specialist and professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, San Angelo.
This rest period is critical for the health and overall resilience of the state’s roughly 92 million acres of native rangelands that support ecosystem services, including forage and browse for livestock. Vegetation recovery and diversity are also critical for wildlife that rely on rangelands for food and habitat — especially during critical periods like rearing young.
“At the end of the day, producers are in the business of stewarding rangeland resources,” Treadwell said. “Part of that is maintaining ground cover and building up organic material in the soil.”
Recovery for some, implementing drought contingency plans for others
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 81% of the state is in some form of drought. However, fewer areas are experiencing the extreme to exceptional drought conditions seen this time last year.
For regions experiencing pockets of extreme or exceptional drought, like South Texas, Northeast Texas and the Panhandle, Goodwin recommends producers continue strategically evaluating forage availability as a part of their drought contingency plan.
“Evaluate where you are on forage productivity compared to your projections,” Goodwin said. “Based on what you have available, you may need to begin thinking of next steps, such as adjusting stocking rates and prioritizing pastures with surface livestock water.”
He added that while it may not be the time for some producers to make stocking decisions just yet, the good news is the cattle market remains strong, even for older or cull cows.
While these decisions are not easy, Goodwin said adaptability is critical to maintaining the ecological resiliency of the land, which supports the economic sustainability of operations.
Cautious optimism for El Niño weather pattern
The National Weather Service predicts an El Niño weather pattern may emerge later this summer, potentially bringing wetter conditions for the southern U.S.
While the prospect of abundant precipitation is a great relief, the benefits of rain aren’t distributed equally. Goodwin and Treadwell said rangelands that have been managed well will benefit the most.
“When you have vegetative cover, you give the rain somewhere to go — it will infiltrate the soil profile and drive forage production instead of just running off,” Treadwell said.
Goodwin also stresses the prospect of rain does not translate to a management plan.
“As soon as some people hear, ‘Oh, it’s going to start raining in September,’ their drought management plan becomes hope — and hope is not a great management plan,” Goodwin said. “We see more success with folks focusing on managing and adapting to what’s in front of them than what might come in four or five months.”
Goodwin and Treadwell encourage producers struggling with drought conditions to stick to the core grazing principles that serve the land, and ultimately, their operation.
“It’s really easy to abandon those principles and practices when you’re in the thick of challenging times, but part of being a steward is knowing this is the time to really step in and actively manage your native pastures,” Treadwell said. “When we take care of that forage and soil resource, we give the pasture something to work with when rainfall is finally received.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Panhandle
The district continued to experience extreme drought conditions. Overall soil moisture ranged from very short to short, and hot, windy conditions prevented irrigation from building a soil moisture profile. Some irrigated wheat showed freeze damage, and overall crop condition was poor due to lack of moisture. Pasture and range conditions were very poor to poor. Protein and hay supplementation continued for cattle. Fire danger was very high.
South Plains
Dry conditions persisted, with subsoil and topsoil moisture levels very short to short. Average temperatures were near 65 degrees, with daytime highs reaching the 90s. Only irrigated corn and sorghum emerged successfully following planting. Cotton planting began; however, fields remained extremely dry, limiting establishment potential. Producers expressed concern regarding planting operations without adequate rainfall. Wheat conditions declined as triticum mosaic virus and wheat streak mosaic virus were reported to be widespread and severe. Disease pressure contributed to reduced yield expectations. High winds and dry conditions prompted multiple fire weather alerts throughout the week.
Rolling Plains
Producers across the district faced ongoing challenges due to persistent dry conditions. Crop, livestock and range conditions remained fair, but extremely dry weather and hot, windy days caused outlooks to decline. Wheat harvest was set to begin soon, although anticipated rainfall may delay the start. Grain sorghum planting started, and the corn crop showed signs of moisture stress. Rain forecast over the next 10 days could significantly benefit both corn and sorghum, as well as late cotton planting. Pasture conditions declined, and many farmers supplemented livestock with hay due to insufficient forage. Wildfires caused by dry lightning strikes occurred. With the planting window for cotton approaching, producers were hopeful for rain, as adequate soil moisture was essential. Without drastic weather changes, there are expectations of reduced cotton planting and potential culling of cattle herds.
North
Sporadic rain occurred across the district, but overall, weather conditions were warm and dry. Subsoil and topsoil moisture levels were short to adequate. Spring vegetables and fruits showed good growth and development. Corn, oats, rice, sorghum and winter wheat were fair and good. Most corn had emerged, with some silking. Sunflowers and peanuts were planted. Oats, winter wheat and sorghum had formed heads, and soybeans had emerged. Pasture and range conditions were fair to excellent. Many fields of mixed cool-season forage were cut and baled. Livestock conditions were good overall. House flies, stable flies, mosquitoes and most warm-season insect populations flourished.
East
Drought persisted despite a few showers across the district. Areas that received some precipitation reported improved forage growth and volume. Bermuda and Bahia grass showed strong spring growth despite drought conditions. Hay production began in many areas, and some producers began to prepare for their first cutting. Livestock markets were strong.
West Central
Parts of the district received up to 2 inches of rain along with hail. Despite some precipitation, soil moisture dissipated quickly. Additional rain was anticipated, along with normal seasonal temperatures. Hail took out a significant amount of wheat acreage in the northern part of the district as harvest was slated to begin. Cotton planting began, and sorghum planting continued. Pecans were off to a good start. Producers began cutting hay fields that were dry enough to access. Range and pastures were mostly in good condition, and temperatures have created good growth in coastal Bermuda and Sudan grass fields. Cattle and livestock conditions were good in general, with good forage available.
Central
Timely rains continued, and areas of the district received 0.25-3 inches. Some heavy hail damage was reported. Wheat harvest was in full swing with highly variable yields. Corn and sorghum continued to progress as expected with good soil moisture. Cotton suffered a bit with cloudy, wet and cool conditions. There appeared to be fewer planted acres of sorghum, cotton and winter wheat for grain. Pasture and range conditions continued to improve with growth picking up significantly. Some producers began first hay cuttings. Stock tanks and reservoirs filled. Cattle and other livestock remained in fair to good condition. Corn leaf aphids were present, but very few fields were at threshold. Fly pressure increased with warmer temperatures.
Southeast
Precipitation supported soil moisture, pasture growth, crop development and improved pond conditions across much of the district. Soil moisture levels varied from short to surplus. Corn progressed across the district and was good overall. Rice emerged and ranged from fair to good. Sorghum, cotton, soybean and sunflower planting was completed. Oats and winter wheat were headed and were in good condition. Producers were monitoring for heat stress, fly pressure, parasite activity and muddy conditions associated with warm temperatures and elevated humidity. Pasture and rangeland conditions were good overall, and livestock conditions remained mostly stable across the district.
Southwest
Rainfall totals were less than 1 inch where reported. Recently planted dryland crops, such as grain sorghum, were doing well. Earlier-planted crops, such as corn, were growing, but were initially stunted due to the lack of moisture during early growth stages. Fungal infections in trees and plants were present due to high moisture. Wildflowers were in full bloom. Producers actively applied fertilizer and herbicides. Pest presence remained fairly low in pastures, but horn fly counts were high. Livestock was in mostly fair condition, and markets remained high. Pasture conditions continued to improve. Wildlife activity was high due to rapid forage growth. White-tailed deer were ready to have fawns, and bucks began to grow this year’s antlers.
Coastal Bend
The district averaged 1.5 inches of rainfall. Early planted corn was not expected to fare well this year due to the initial lack of moisture, but corn planted later should yield well because of the rains. Additional rain will be needed to improve crop potential. Grain sorghum headed and flowered. Cotton progressed well, but a wide range in maturities and overcast conditions limited some growth. Rice developed panicles, and fields will be flooded soon. Precipitation received over the last four to six weeks greatly improved range and pasture conditions. Early hay cutting began. Cattle body conditions improved, but producers remained concerned due to limited soil moisture. Livestock water levels in earthen dams were still of concern for portions of the district.
