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Panhandle

Scattered showers occurred in parts of the district, while others continued with dry conditions. Soil moisture was short to adequate. Corn and sorghum silage harvests continued. Wheat was planted in some counties while producers in drier areas waited for moisture. Cotton producers were preparing for harvest aid applications to begin an early cotton harvest. Pasture and rangeland conditions were adequate, while some areas experienced drought conditions. Crop, pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good.

South Plains

Grain harvest was in full swing over the past few weeks. Cotton farmers were planning to end irrigation and prepare to defoliate in the coming weeks, with harvest about a month away. Grazing and cover crop wheat was planted, with recent rains giving it a great start. The black-eyed pea harvest was slow to start. Some areas were finishing up the cucumber harvest. The pumpkin crop continued to be harvested. Hay was being cut, baled and moved. Livestock and rangeland conditions were good across the district.

Rolling Plains

Winter wheat planting began in areas that received rainfall the previous week, though progress was expected to slow as soil moisture continued to decline. Farmers were preparing fields and plowing ground, but many were waiting for additional rain before planting more wheat and fall crops. Cotton remained in very good condition and benefited from recent heat. Producers stressed that at least one more timely rain would be needed to finish the boll fill. Producers were choosing to reduce late-season inputs, opting instead to let nature take its course. Hay harvest was ongoing, but dry topsoil and persistent heat limited production. Pastures were also stressed, reducing grazing for livestock. Despite the warm days, livestock condition remained good with cooler nights helping ease stress. Farmers and ranchers agreed that moisture was critical moving forward, but forecasts showed little chance of rain in the near future.

North

Topsoil and subsoil were adequate or short across the district. Summer crops were finished, and farmers began preparing fields and making plans to transition into the cooler months. Pastures looked good due to the rainfall throughout the season. Cattle and other livestock were in excellent condition. Fall calving was officially underway. Corn harvest continued, and sorghum harvest was near completion, while soybean fields were awaiting harvest. There were reports of disease in oak trees. Fall armyworm populations were reported.

East

No rain was received in the last week. Counties were drying out and needed more rain. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Ponds and creeks remained full. Fall gardens were growing well. Producers were preparing to plant winter pastures. Cattle markets dropped slightly, but livestock conditions were fair to good.

West Central

Warm and very dry conditions persisted across the district, with fire danger becoming a concern for many. Cooler temperatures arrived, but more rain was needed. Conditions remained decent, with cooler, cloudy mornings and clear days, lower nighttime temperatures, and an occasional sprinkle of rain. Wheat fields were plowed and ready for planting, but in some cases, it was too dry to plant. Topsoil moisture was better than expected in some areas, and several producers began planting wheat. The pecan crop was inconsistent depending on location. Cotton was maturing quickly, and sorghum harvest neared completion. Cotton was in poor shape in some areas due to the lack of moisture. Rangeland and pasture conditions declined due to a lack of moisture. Most forages had matured and gone to seed, and there was still plenty of grazing available for livestock. Livestock were in fair condition, but many producers were feeding hay. Cattle were still in good shape, but pastures were starting to turn brown. The cattle market remained active, with stocker steers selling steadily. Lighter-weight stocker steers were $4 to $5 higher per hundredweight, while some were $1 to $2 lower per hundredweight. Stocker heifers were steady to $2 higher. Feeder steers were $2 to $4 lower per hundredweight. Feeder heifers were steady to $4 lower per hundredweight. Packer cows were $2 higher per hundredweight. Prices for bulls, pairs and bred cows were steady.

Central

Hot and dry conditions persisted, with some cooler temperatures at night. The wildland fire threat increased daily. Warm-season forages showed visible drought stress. Pasture growth slowed significantly, and some producers reported early signs of dormancy in Bermuda grass stands. Weed pressure increased where the forage canopy was thin. Stock tanks were at favorable levels all summer. Hay was still being cut, and plenty of feed should be available this winter. Corn and sorghum harvests were expected to wrap up soon. Cotton bolls were opening and nearing harvest. Several small grain farmers started to prepare fields and seedbeds for planting, and some ranchers were planting winter forage for grazing. Second-crop corn silage looked good with little evidence of red stunt disease. Armyworms were present in some locations. Fly pressure remained moderate. Livestock were in good condition. The cattle market softened slightly over the past week.

Southeast

Conditions were dry, but soil moisture levels throughout the district were adequate. Producers were cutting hay with reported yields of 2.5-3 bales per acre. The lack of recent rainfall allowed for the final cuttings of hay, while some producers expressed the need for additional rain despite fair pasture conditions and forage growth. Rice harvest began, with some areas near completion, while other areas reported significant delays due to muddy conditions. Sorghum was mature; corn harvest was nearly finished, and cotton bolls were approximately 80% opened, signaling harvest was near. Cotton fields were in fair to good condition. Cattle were in good condition, supported by a healthy supply of forage. Pasture and rangeland ratings were good to excellent. Livestock conditions ranged from very poor to excellent.

Southwest

Hot and dry conditions persisted, but recent rains improved rangeland conditions. Daytime high temperatures averaged in the mid-90s, with mornings in the mid-60s. Soil moisture levels were declining. Cotton harvest was expected to begin soon, while other row crop harvests were finishing. Pasture and rangeland conditions remained good. Farmers were preparing for fall and winter crops. Winter wheat planting was likely to be delayed until November. Hay production was winding down, and producers were preparing for the fall season. Livestock prices remained steady to strong. The cool morning temperatures provided relief to heat and drought-stressed plants and livestock; however, grazing was still limited due to drought. Rams and bucks were being turned in for breeding season. Livestock and wildlife were in good condition. Supplemental feeding resumed in many locations due to limited available forage. Pecans continued to flesh out, and less desirable nuts were dropped. Walnut caterpillar activity was noted on pecans.

Coastal Bend

Dry, hot weather continued with temperatures in the upper 90s and no significant rainfall. Soil moisture was declining, though some areas saw forage growth from the previous week’s rain. Cotton harvest was nearly complete with good yields reported, though low commodity prices remained a concern. Some field preparation was underway for winter pastures. Rangeland and pasture conditions were mixed — there was some improvement where rain had fallen, but an overall decline with continued dryness. Supplemental hay feeding began in dry areas, and livestock water levels were becoming a concern. Livestock remained in good condition, with calves hitting the ground and doing well. Cattle prices remained strong, helping offset higher input costs.

South

Conditions the past week included seasonal and above-average temperatures, with some light to moderate rainfall and rain in the forecast. Topsoil and subsoil conditions remained very short in some areas. Falcon Lake levels remained extremely low. Cotton bolls opened, and harvest was underway. Bermuda grass hay fields were cut and baled. Vegetable growers continued to harvest okra and squash, and soil was being prepped for strawberries. The fall corn crop was progressing well, especially in areas where moisture was received. Citrus fruit continued to mature as producers monitored for potential pest and disease issues. A few late-planted sesame fields remained. Grain sorghum and corn yields were below average. Peanut crops continued to mature under irrigation, and digging was scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. Vegetable farmers were planting cabbage, parsley, and leafy greens, and preparing for carrots and onions. High temperatures impacted pasture and rangeland conditions, but conditions improved in areas that received rain. Rain was needed for fall forage planting and a possible final cutting of hay. Ranchers were culling cattle herds and selling calves at lighter weights, but prices remained high. Producers supplemented feed to help maintain animal health and performance. Local feed stores reported increased supplemental feed sales. Deer producers were supplementing with protein, corn and cottonseed. The hunting season began, with a strong presence of both white-wing and mourning doves reported in some areas. Turkeys and quail were notably abundant.