AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

Panhandle

Extreme conditions persisted across the region, with widespread drought, record heat, high winds and low humidity, which increased wildfire risk. Rain was urgently needed. Soil moisture ranged from very short to short. Dry weather delayed field preparation for cotton and sorghum. Wheat and livestock conditions declined. Winter wheat, pasture and rangeland conditions were very poor to poor.

South Plains

Topsoil and subsoil moisture remained low due to continued dry, windy and hot conditions. No measurable precipitation was reported. Field preparation continued when winds allowed. Corn planting progressed slowly and was limited to fields with pre[KL1] irrigation. Tillage and preplant work continued for corn, cotton, sorghum, cucumbers and silage. Livestock conditions remained fair with heavy supplemental feeding. Producers sought guidance on emergency grazing in Conservation Reserve Program pastures. Some grazing in irrigated winter wheat continued.

Rolling Plains

Hot, dry and windy conditions continued, further depleting soil moisture and stock tank levels. Rainfall was urgently needed. Winter wheat and oats remained under stress, with some fields deteriorating or zeroed out. Fire danger increased and grazing conditions declined. Livestock conditions were fair to good with diet supplementation as spring calf work continued. Fieldwork included cotton planting preparation and fertilization of hay fields. Corn acreage may decline, with some fields converted to cotton.

North

Dry, warm and windy conditions persisted. Topsoil moisture declined, though rain was forecast. Winter wheat and corn were progressing but needed moisture. Wheat and oats reached flag leaf to boot stages, with some heading. Aphids and barley yellow dwarf virus were reported in some oat fields. Corn and sorghum emerged in most areas. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Livestock remained in good condition with grazing. Feral hog activity remained high.

East

Drought conditions briefly improved before high winds and above-average temperatures reduced moisture again. Some areas entered severe drought. Soil moisture was short, and pasture conditions were fair. Dry conditions slowed crop growth. Producers supplemented livestock feed, with some purchasing hay from out of state. Livestock conditions were fair to good. Feral hog activity increased.

Far West

Above-average temperatures, low humidity and persistent winds continued to dry soils. Little to no precipitation was reported, with soil moisture very short to short. Rainfall was needed to support forage and crop development. Irrigated crops progressed well, while dryland crops, including wheat, remained under stress in poor to fair condition. Field preparation for cotton continued. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor to fair. Livestock conditions were fair with supplemental feeding.

Central

Hot, dry conditions persisted, with minimal rainfall. A late-week cold front brought cooler temperatures. Bermuda grass remained dormant, limiting grazing. Hay supplies declined, and input costs affected production decisions. Wheat and oats progressed ahead of schedule, while corn showed some frost damage. Cotton planting began but paused due to dry soils. Livestock conditions were steady with continued supplementation. Insect and disease pressure remained low.

Southeast

Dry conditions continued, with widespread need for rainfall and some burn bans in place. Seasonal forage transition was underway, with cool-season forages declining and warm-season forages emerging. Planting progressed where moisture allowed, including rice and row crops. Pasture conditions varied widely, while soil moisture ranged from very short to adequate. Livestock conditions were generally fair to good, and supplemental feeding continued.

Southwest

Dry, windy conditions persisted, further reducing soil moisture. Limited precipitation was reported. Corn and cotton plantings lagged behind normal, with some dry planting underway. Emerging corn showed fair stands despite dry conditions. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor, and livestock required supplementation. Wildlife activity remained high due to limited forage. Planting was expected to progress with anticipated rainfall.

Coastal Bend

Dry conditions continued, with soil moisture limiting crop and pasture progress. Corn was in fair condition but needed rainfall. Cotton and rice planting progressed where moisture allowed, while sorghum planting began. Pastures remained stressed and slow to recover from freeze damage. Livestock conditions held with continued supplementation and hay feeding.

South

Hot, dry and windy conditions persisted, with extreme to exceptional drought across the district. Soil moisture remained depleted, and rainfall was limited. Irrigated crops progressed, while dryland planting lagged. Many producers planted into dry soils to meet deadlines, with some acreage unplanted. Cotton acreage declined. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor, with elevated fire danger. Livestock required heavy supplementation, and hay supplies tightened. Wildlife and livestock stress increased due to lack of water and forage.