Conditions are drying around much of Texas, and forecasts are calling for winter weather to be warmer and drier than average.
Commodity producers in much of the state, including the High Plains, experienced a banner year in 2021 due to high commodity prices and above-average precipitation that started in May and delivered timely moisture throughout the growing season.
But soil moisture levels are declining in parts of the state, and the 2022 growing season could hinge on winter weather replenishing topsoil and subsoils or another round of timely summer rains to save the day.
Jourdan Bell, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist, Amarillo, said drought conditions are expanding throughout the High Plains. The region has not received significant precipitation since September while aboveaverage temperatures were exacerbating soil moisture level declines.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the High Plains, West Texas and East Texas are in extreme drought to abnormally dry. West Central, Central and Coastal parts of the state are not experiencing drought, according to the monitor.
A strong La Niña weather pattern is expected this winter, which often means less rainfall and warmer temperatures for the Southwest, including much of Texas.
“Soils are drying out and that is definitely a concern moving into winter and spring,” Bell said. “We continue to hear that weather conditions are expected to be warmer and drier than average, so limited soil moisture could be drive 2022 cropping decisions in water-limited regions.”
Winter weather typically dry for
Texas Plains
Bell said producers in the High Plains are making serious evaluations of input costs due to high fertilizer prices and pesticide shortages despite strong commodity prices. But much of the planting decisions will be based on precipitation received between now and planting and how well soil moisture indexes recover from drought winter conditions. Dryland and limited irrigated producers will likely select crops that tolerate moderate drought conditions.
But winter is typically a dry period for the High Plains region, Bell said. Much of the restorative rainfall events historically occur during monsoon season in late summer through September.
The region does typically pick up some winter moisture from snowfall, Bell said. While snow represents important moisture and an insulator against extreme cold for winter crops like wheat and canola, the moisture from snow is only a fraction of rainfall’s liquid equivalent.
“A few inches of moisture are important when you are in a 16-24-inch rain zone like the Texas High Plains, but we are going to need good spring rains to help reduce the current rainfall deficit and improve the overall topsoil and subsoil moisture index,” she said.
Plan for the worst, hope for the best
Bell said producers are increasingly dependent on timely rains because regional groundwater continues to decline, resulting in lower irrigation well capacities. The ability to meet crop water demand directly impacts yield potential.
Timely in-season rains in the High Plains between May and September helped bridge the soil moisture deficit during the 2021 grow ing season, Bell said. The region received 10-12 inches of rainfall during the growing season, which effectively supplemented crop moisture requirements for producers with limited irrigation capacity.
The timely rains resulted in better-than-average yields for many regional corn, sorghum and cotton producers, she said. Better-than-expected yields amid higher prices at market made 2021 a good production year.
But Bell said producers should continue to plan for the worst and hope for the best when it comes to soil moisture availability. Competitive prices for more drought tolerant crops like cotton and sorghum will likely weigh into cropping decisions if moisture doesn’t improve soil moisture indexes.
“Generally, farmers have a positive, hopeful outlook when it comes to planting,” she said. “Last year many producers were reconsidering whether they would plant corn, but then rains came in May, so they planted hoping for more and they got it. Timely in-season rains and moderate temperatures led to very good corn yields. But we want to help producers minimize risk. While it worked out perfectly for many producers in 2021, there are years when it does not.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
ROLLING PLAINS
Conditions were very dry with trace amounts of rainfall reported in a few areas and one county reporting up to 1 inch of rainfall. Wheat fields were planted, and some were replanted, but emergence has been poor so far. Very few stockers were on wheat pasture or native rangelands. There was some standing forage in areas. Supplemental hay was being fed to livestock. Cotton harvest was mostly completed.
SOUTH PLAINS
Most cotton was harvested. A cold front delivered some rain but not enough moisture to make a difference. Winter wheat planting continued across the district. Most producers finished up peanut harvest and were working on sorghum, corn, sunflowers and cotton. Cattle were in good condition.
PANHANDLE
With a few exceptions, cotton harvest was complete. Extreme dry conditions were not helping winter wheat conditions. Rangeland and pastures were dormant, and supplemental feeding was occurring.
FAR WEST
Conditions were cooler with daytime highs around 60 degrees and lows in the high 30s. Areas received almost 0.25 of an inch of rainfall. Grasses were dormant and there was surplus fuel for fire season. Conditions were getting very dry. Wheat fields, rangelands and pastures needed some moisture. Producers continued to harvest cotton. Deer and quail hunters were around. Producers continued to feed wildlife and livestock.
WEST CENTRAL
Some areas received scattered showers last week, but more rain was needed to help wheat and pastures going into the winter months. Most warm-season forages stopped growth due to frost and supplemental feeding of livestock increased due to frost. Pecan harvest continued, but many producers did not report much of a crop. Cotton harvest continued to progress.plots planted for wildlife were doing well. Corn and protein for deer were selling out at local stores. Stock tanks were full in some areas and beginning to dry in others.