AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summary for the Central Texas district: Temperatures were up and down. Scattered rainfall ranged from 0.25-2 inches. Soil moisture was very short to adequate.
Warmer conditions and sporadic rainfall continued to improve pastures, resulting in a stronger calf market.
Winter grasses were growing, and warmseason grasses were responding slowly.
Very little supplemental feeding was needed for livestock. Crops, rangelands and pastures were in very poor to excellent condition.
Livestock were in fair condition. Heavy rainfall was still needed to fill lakes, stock tanks and rivers. Corn planting was near completion, and sorghum planting will follow.
The last hard freeze affected wheat and oat fields. Wheat condition was declining sharply as it headed out. Leaf rust and Hessian fly were widespread and wheat chlorosis in fields was attributed to the combination of heavy larval feeding and dryness.
Hessian fly damage was heavy enough to affect even the more tolerant wheat varieties.
Reports indicated that insecticide seed t reatments were providing some benefits in reducing damage. Cotton planting was expected to begin soon.
Cotton acres were expected to be substantially down, in favor of increased corn plantings.