AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Much-needed moisture finally arrived with totals ranging from 0.52 inches. Stock ponds were replenished, and soil moisture levels improved. Warmer temperatures were forecast and a strong improvement in grazing pastures was expected. Increased soil moisture also benefited farmers preparing for spring cotton planting.
South Plains
Very dry conditions and wind occurred earlier in the week. Some light rain showers and snow were received in some parts of the district. Other areas received several inches of rain and the snow ranged from 0.5-5 inches. Farmers delayed fertilizing fields due to drought. Beef cattle at local sale barns continued to set price records. Cattle were on supplemental feed. Warm-season grasses were responding to warmer weather. Wheat fields began to head and were being monitored closely for rust symptoms. Discussions on triticale harvest had begun. There was growing interest among farmers around oilseed sunflowers as a cropping option. Corn planting was expected to begin soon.
Panhandle
A cold front brought needed rain showers and a light covering of snow. Preplant tillage and fertilizer applications were underway most of the week until the rain. The short duration of freezing temperatures was not expected to impact small grain crops. The rainfall should help cool-season grain fields, including planted cover crops. Many producers and crop advisers intensified efforts to track soil temperatures for potential planting. Overall soil moisture was reported from very short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were reported from very poor to fair. Overall, crop conditions were poor to fair.
Far West
Conditions at the beginning of the week were hot and dry but changed drastically by the weekend. A strong front moved in, bringing much cooler temperatures, rain and snow. The district received up to 1 inch of rain. Higher elevations saw temperatures dip below freezing, along with snow accumulations. The second consecutive week of spring moisture was promising, and producers were hopeful the trend indicated favorable weather patterns into summer. With the cool, cloudy conditions, evaporation remained low. The district still needed significant rain to improve soil moisture and rangeland conditions. Corn emergence was slow. Melon planting was set back a week due to colder temperatures. Mesquite trees started to bloom earlier than normal. Lack of grazing caused cattle body condition scores to drop, and producers continued to supplement their diets.
West Central
Scattered showers occurred midto late-week, with reported totals ranging from a half inch to 4 inches. Stock tanks remained low in some areas, and the district was still in a rainfall deficit. Moisture stimulated grass green-up. Soil conditions remained variable, and additional rain was needed to further improve moisture levels. Small grains were short and droughtstressed but had begun to form seed heads. Some producers applied fertilizer or planted in anticipation of rain, while others continued spring field preparation and weed control. Wheat matured quickly due to dry weather and some wheat had already been cut and baled for hay. Dryland sorghum was planted before the rainfall. Pastures showed green-up and were responding well to the moisture and warmer temperatures. Weed spraying was widespread, and rangeland conditions were expected to improve with sunshine. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with cows calving and supplemental feeding continuing. The cattle market remained strong, with stocker steers selling $10-$15 higher per hundredweight and feeder steer prices steady. Packer cows sold $2-$3 higher per hundredweight, and bred cows and pairs remained in high demand. Ranchers continued to cull older cows while retaining heifers due to high market prices. Grazing improved with better forage availability. Wildlife were less concentrated along roadsides and had better access to grazing and water sources.