Farm & Ranch

[AgriLife Today] Crop and Weather Report for May 16

Published

9 years ago

May 16, 2017

NTFR

By: Adam Russell

State climatologist: Summer could be hot and dry

Writer: Adam Russell, 903-834-6191, adam.russell@ag.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, 979-862-2248, n-g@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – Above-average temperatures and dry conditions across Texas could be a sign of things to come this summer, said the state climatologist.

March temperatures averaged 6 degrees higher than normal, he said. Cool spells in the first half of May have reduced average temperatures for the spring months, but the season was still 2-3 degrees warmer than usual.Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, College Station, said he is concerned arid conditions could be prevalent through the summer following the warmest winter on record and a relatively dry spring with above-average temperatures.

Recent weather patterns around most of the state have also delivered very little moisture, Nielsen-Gammon said. The combination of dry, windy conditions and warmer temperatures could be the precursor to a long, hot summer.

“If dry conditions continue and soil moisture isn’t replenished, we could get into drought relatively quickly,” he said.

Nielsen-Gammon said summertime forecasts are difficult to predict as the jet stream moves further north. But dry springs typically lead to above-average summer temperatures. Water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico are also above normal, which could contribute to summertime warmth and humidity.

East Texas received reasonably wet weather this spring, but much of Central and West Texas are drying out rapidly.

“There is rain in the statewide forecast, but not enough to bring things up to normal,” he said.

Good precipitation could be in store for the Panhandle and North Texas over the next two weeks, Nielsen-Gammon said, but time will tell whether those rain events materialize.

The long-term forecast calls for El Nino conditions to arrive this winter, which could bring wetter-than-normal patterns, but it would be too late for dryland farmers, Nielsen-Gammon said. The lack of spring and summer rains and higher temperatures could also mean surface water, including ponds, would dry out faster.

“So far it’s been a dry May,” he said. “That could be a bit of a problem going into the summer months.”

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

CENTRAL: Very little to no measurable rainfall, and soil moisture was decreasing. High winds continued. A lack of rain caused corn and sorghum to suffer along with pasture and rangeland conditions. Some wheat harvests started, and cotton planting was ongoing. Some Bermudagrass hay cuttings started, and oat harvesting was steady. Ryegrass pastures were headed out and still offering some grazing for livestock. Numerous summer storm systems produced damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes. Cattle and other livestock were in good shape. The cattle market was still holding steady. Stocker operators were nearly finished moving cattle off wheat and oat fields. Tanks were still full. Most counties reported good soil moisture. Overall rangeland, pasture and crop conditions were good.

ROLLING PLAINS: Conditions were hot, dry and windy. No rain was reported, and temperatures were in the high 80s. The windy dry conditions were making fire risks higher. Rangeland and pastures were in good condition. Soil moisture was drying out. Field crops and pastures were beginning to stress due to lack of moisture. Wheat harvests began in some counties and will continue to increase over the next week as the crop rapidly matures. Early reports were that grain size was small, and seed heads were not filled out. Supplementing pastures with hay began on a small percentage of farms. Producers were planting Sudan. Milo was planted, but rain was needed soon.

COASTAL BEND: A good rain would be beneficial. Weather conditions were dry, and crops were beginning to show signs of stress with soil moisture conditions becoming critically low. Corn and grain sorghum yields were poised to be above average. Wheat and oat harvests should start soon. Cotton crops were squaring in many fields. Pasture herbicide applications continued as weather permitted. Growers were scouting for sugarcane aphids which continued to pose a threat to grain sorghum. Some insecticide applications were applied. Pastures were beginning to dry and change colors. Available forages were declining. Livestock remained in good condition.

EAST: Rainfall around the region was scattered. Some areas of Gregg County received heavy rain while only trace amounts were received in Shelby County. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate. Ponds and creeks were full in Cherokee County. Pasture and rangeland conditions were mostly fair to good. Rusk and Gregg counties reported excellent conditions. Shelby County had poor conditions. Weed control was underway in several counties. Hay production was in full swing in Cherokee County. Producers in Smith County worked around the storms as they entered the area. Most of the hay was winter forage mixed with warm-season grasses. Cool nightly temperatures slowed warm-season grass growth. Jasper County was behind on hay cutting, and winter wheat was in very poor condition. Wild pig activity remained high in Cherokee County hay meadows and pastures and continued to be a problem in Shelby County. Farmers were beginning to harvest onions and potatoes. Producers were getting produce out of their gardens in Marion County. Insect and disease pressure was reported on some plant material, especially turf grass, in Smith County. Cattle were gaining weight and calves were growing well in Marion County. Prices were about the same as the previous reporting period at the livestock barn in Shelby County. Livestock were doing fair to good in Wood County.

SOUTH PLAINS: Scattered precipitation occurred in some counties while others stayed warm and dry during the reporting period. The 5-day forecast provided a chance of precipitation. Area pastures and rangeland were in fair to good condition and needed moisture. Subsoil and topsoil moistures were short to adequate. Wheat was maturing and turning color. Producers continued to plant cotton with an estimated 15 percent complete. Cattle were in good condition.

PANHANDLE: Conditions were warm and windy. Temperatures were near normal for most of the reporting period. A few areas reported some moisture. Rainfall reports ranged from 0.34-2.5 inches. A good general rain was needed throughout the district. Soil moisture was mostly short to adequate and excellent in areas where significant rain fell. Corn planting was behind schedule due to wet soil conditions. Dry weather was in the forecast, and planting was expected to resume as fields dry. Cotton planting was expected to start as well. Rangeland was greening up well. Some movement of cattle to pastures was delayed due to wet conditions. Horn flies started to become more numerous. Silage choppers and swathers continued harvesting some wheat fields. Corn planting was ongoing, but more than 80 percent was planted. Cotton plantings were ongoing, and cotton acres were expected to be up significantly this year. Some producers were planting around the clock, and some were at a standstill due to wet conditions. Grain sorghum planting will be down due to the sugarcane aphid fears. Forages will still be planted but in small amounts due to the aphids. Some producers were talking about planting millet for forage since it has shown no aphid problems so far. Storms pelted Hall County with golf ball-sized hail that destroyed some wheat acres and caused damage to homes, buildings and vehicles. Rain helped green up of pastures and increased cattle condition scores. Cotton and peanut planting started and will be in full swing soon. Wheat was harvested or near harvest. Some producers were concerned about some wheat after two freezes.

NORTH: Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels ranged from mostly adequate to short with a few areas reporting surplus. Daytime temperatures were in the 80s. Some counties received some rain, but most were left dry. Rain was in the forecast. Winds were gusting. Tornadoes ravaged crops, which were still being surveyed for damage. Residents continued cleanup efforts from tornadoes in late April. Corn was doing well, and most cotton, grain sorghum and soybeans were planted. Winter wheat was maturing and getting close to harvest. Soybeans were doing well. Livestock pastures were also doing well. Cool-season grasses were harvested for hay and yielding well. Cattle prices increased. Livestock were in good condition, and spring-born calves looked nice. Flies were very prevalent on livestock and causing some stress. Wild hogs were still causing damage.

FAR WEST: Temperature highs were in the 90s with lows in the 60s. Precipitation averaged 0.2 of an inch. Dry, windy conditions, with wind gusts averaging 30-50 mph, prevailed. Topsoil moisture was declining quickly, and subsoil moisture was starting to go. A good general rain was needed. A few producers put cotton seed in the ground here and there, but most were holding off for a rain and warmer, more consistent soil temperatures. Producers continued to prepare for cotton planting. Sorghum and corn were coming along but needed warmer temperatures. Wheat harvests will be here soon. Pastures were drying out quickly with very little green grass left. Some producers began to bale some wheat for hay. Producers continued to feed livestock and wildlife. All sheep marking and shearing was complete.

WEST CENTRAL: Weather conditions were seasonable with warm, dry and windy conditions. Much needed rainfall was reported in some areas. All areas needed more moisture. Soil moisture conditions continued to decline rapidly due to strong, high winds. Fire dangers continued to increase, and burn bans were in effect in most areas. Wheat was maturing rapidly or was ready for harvest. Wheat harvests started and were in full swing, but there were no reports yet on yields. Producers continued to prepare for cotton planting. A few cotton planters were starting to run on irrigated ground that was pre-watered. Some sorghum and hay was planted but was slow growing due to limited moisture. Most warm-season forages will not be planted until soil moisture improves. Rangeland and pastures remained in fair to good condition. Livestock remained in fair to good condition. Cattle looked good as the summer months begin. Buyer activity and demand was strong in the cattle market. Pecan trees looked good but will need rain soon. Pecans were being sprayed for nut case bearers.

SOUTHEAST: Some scattered rainfall was received, but amounts were very light. The rice planted was growing fast amid warmer temperatures and humidity. There was still a bit of organic rice left to plant. Pastures were drying out. Parts of the district were very dry and other parts that received rain a few weeks ago were starting to dry out, as well. Grass was not growing very well due to lack of moisture. Livestock were in good condition. Most pastures and field crops needed rain. Soil moisture levels were short to very short. Vegetables were doing well under irrigation. Pastures were changing from cool-season forage production to warm-season. In Montgomery County, the warm temperatures have caused all winter annuals to finish their growing cycle. Brazos County experienced strong winds and hail. The lack of moisture and the cool evening temperatures slowed the Bermudagrass and Bahia grass growth. Livestock condition remained good.

SOUTHWEST: Conditions were dry, and soil moisture levels declined. Corn looked good while grain sorghum was not good. Rangeland and pastures continued to look good. Irrigation of crops and pastures was done as needed. Some rain was needed. Livestock were doing well.

SOUTH: Conditions were hot, dry and windy with no measurable rainfall. Soil moisture, rangeland and pasture conditions throughout the district were affected by those conditions. Grasses were showing signs of stress, and dry forage could be seen throughout most of the district. Crops were in fair condition but could be better with rain. Wheat harvests were completed while sweet corn and potato harvesting continued. Corn fields were in the silking stage, and sorghum crops were entering the heading stage. Cotton fields also needed moisture soon or yields might be affected. Peanut planting began, and all fields were under irrigation. Irrigation was applied to cotton, corn, sorghum and cabbage where available. Pasture and rangeland conditions remained fair but were starting to decline due to the lack of good rainfall. Body condition scores on cattle also declined some, but most herds remained in good condition. The cattle market was picking up with a noticeable price hike. Onion harvests began. Pecan growers were busy applying irrigation. Vegetable and citrus harvests were winding down for the season.

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Farm & Ranch

American Lotus

Published

6 days ago

June 18, 2026

NTFR

By Tony Dean

Farmers and ranchers are in a very close partnership with Mother Nature. If we really pay attention, she presents us some interesting scenarios.

For example, though they are totally different types of plants, water lilies and prickly pear have a lot in common. They both have strikingly beautiful flowers, both plants are edible, both of them are invaders into their respective habitats, and too much of either one can be an obstacle that we have to deal with.

Many north Texas ranches rely on excavated ponds for livestock water. Any time a pond contains a significant amount of shallow water so that sunlight reaches the bottom, some type of pond weed will develop. The plant family that includes water lilies and lotuses is a common invader in our livestock water.

Water lilies and lotuses are in the same plant family but they are two separate genera. There are easy ways to tell them apart:

A primary difference is that water lily leaves commonly float on the surface, but lotus leaves can grow above the water line.
Water lily leaves and flowers are thick and waxy, while lotus leaves and flowers are thin and papery.
Water lily leaves have a distinct notch in the leaf, while lotus leaves are more rounded.
Water lily flower petals are pointed, and lotus petals are more rounded.

The photos attached to this writing are from Clay County, and this plant is common across north Texas. American lotus is adapted to a wide area, from Honduras north through Mexico and across the eastern US and into Canada.

American lotus is a perennial, and it is cold tolerant and heat tolerant. It can grow in any pond or slow moving stream that contains shallow water areas. It prefers water with a depth of about 12 inches. Germination can occur from the large lotus seeds. Tubers, or roots, are established in the mud, and long slender stems extend upward. Leaves and flowers are both emergent in that they grow above the water line.

Lotus flowers are fragrant, and yellowish white with rich gold centers. They open in the morning and close by late afternoon, then open again the next day.

Lotus is an edible plant and has a history as a food source. The large tuberous roots, the size of a human arm, were baked like sweet potatoes. The leaves were eaten like spinach, and the large seeds were ground into flour. Stems taste somewhat like beets and were usually peeled before being eaten.

There is a large world-wide industry of cultivating lilies and lotuses in water gardens. According to Dr. Jerry Parsons, Professor and Extension Horticulturist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, cultivation of these plants dates back as early as ancient Egypt. Today, anyone with determination and a little money can have a water garden.

In 2011, the 82^nd Texas Legislature designated the water lily “Texas Dawn” as the official Texas State Water Lily. Texas Dawn is a hybrid developed by Texas resident Kenneth Landon, a world-renowned expert in the field of water lilies and the director of the International Water Lily collection in San Angelo.

Ducks and other wildlife utilize the large acorn like seeds of American lotus, and submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide some form of wetland habitat. Many of us have tried to pull a bass out of a group of water lilies or lotuses, and I’m sure others have had better luck than I did. Although there can certainly be benefits to lilies, lotuses, and other aquatic plants, they can also infest ponds to the extent that the pond is not functioning correctly.

So, while the rest of the world works hard to grow these plants, ranchers sometimes need to control populations in their stock ponds. Once it gets a foot hold, American lotus can spread aggressively in wetland areas.

The primary issue that encourages American lotus, and most other water weeds, is shallow water. Look closely at a good livestock pond and you will find that the deeper water is basically free of infestation. Any pond will have a certain amount of shallow water that encourages water weed growth, depending upon the terrain at the pond site and how the pond was constructed. Some ranchers who enjoy and utilize wetland habitat may prefer to have ponds with significant shallow water area.

Almost all livestock ponds have a certain life expectancy. Siltation, or movement of soil into the pond bottom through rainfall runoff, is a natural occurrence. How fast siltation occurs into each pond, and how deep the pond was to start with, determines the length of time that the pond will contain adequate depth for dependable water for livestock.

Ponds that develop infestations of water weeds over a large percent of the surface may not have adequate depth to remain a viable water source for livestock during drought periods, especially in western north Texas where evaporation rates are higher.

Mud, or silt, from the pond bottom, can be removed to deepen the water, but this is a very expensive process. It is often more economical to construct a new pond rather than try to remove the silt from an old one. Most of us do not have the funds to continually construct deep water livestock ponds, so we must try to keep existing structures functioning and providing good drinking water for livestock, for as long as we can. Control of pond weeds like American lotus may be necessary, and it can be accomplished.

There is currently no feasible biological control. American lotus can be cut and removed, but this process us usually temporary because lotus can reestablish from seeds and roots.

American lotus can be safely controlled by chemicals. This must be done carefully. If a pond containing a large amount of any pond weeds is treated to remove all of the vegetation, a fish die-off could occur. When the dying weeds decompose, they use up the oxygen in the water and fish can suffocate. If possible, treat only a portion of the area, wait about two weeks, and treat another portion.

Farm & Ranch

Tracks in the Sand

Published

4 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

NTFR

This morning, I walked out into my arena and noticed something that gave me pause. The roping steers had been in there the day before, and even though the ground was wide and level, the sand carried their story. Hoofprints crossed every direction, but in several spots, the same trail was pressed deeper than the rest. Twelve steers had been turned out, yet more than a few chose the exact same path, wearing it down until it stood out from all the other tracks.

Cattle are creatures of habit. Anyone who has spent time around them knows this. They like routine: the same feed, the same water trough, the same shade tree in the pasture. When they are turned loose, they rarely wander without purpose. More often than not, they move together, following the same course as the steer in front of them. There are reasons for this: efficiency, safety, instinct. Walking a beaten path conserves energy, and following the herd is their natural defense. Even in an arena with no real destination, those instincts come through. By the end of a short turnout, you will see the evidence, lines where they have chosen the easiest way to travel and stuck with it.

Out on the range, those lines last longer. Before fences and highways, cattle drives cut deep paths across the land. The Chisholm Trail, which carried herds north from Texas through Oklahoma into Kansas, was walked by millions of cattle in the late 1800s. More than a century later, faint traces of those trails remain, worn so deep by hooves and wagon wheels that the land still carries the mark. On ranches today, you can see the same effect in pastures where cattle walk the same lines between water and grazing. From the ground those trails might look like nothing more than dusty ruts, but from the air, they sometimes stand out as sharp lines winding through otherwise open fields. Cattle do not simply pass over the land; they shape it. Every step adds up.

That simple truth extends beyond livestock. We all make tracks. Our habits and routines are our trails, worn in by repetition, sometimes efficient, sometimes limiting. Like the cow paths, they can serve a purpose, keeping us steady and helping us move forward. But when repeated without thought, they risk becoming ruts, keeping us from stepping into new ground. History offers perspective here too. The old cattle trails built towns and economies, but once railroads and fences changed the landscape, those paths were no longer useful. Sticking to them would have meant going in circles. Progress required something new.

The Tracks We Leave

Standing in the arena, I thought about the kind of tracks I leave behind. Most of mine are not visible in the dirt. They are pressed into my daily life, how I work, the way I handle challenges, the example I set. Some are helpful and worth keeping. Others may have outlived their purpose. The difference comes in knowing when to stay in the track and when to step out of it.

Tomorrow I will drag the arena and smooth it all clean again. The next time the steers are turned in, they will make the same trails. That is their nature. But unlike them, I have a choice. I can decide which paths are worth walking, which ones to change, and what kind of tracks I want to leave for others who might follow.

Tracks tell a story. Sometimes they are only temporary, fading with the next rain. Other times they last for generations, reminders of where herds and people once walked. This morning, the cattle showed me again that even the smallest things on the ranch carry meaning. Their tracks in the arena were not just marks in the sand. They were a lesson: every step matters, and the paths we choose shape more than just the ground beneath our feet.

Farm & Ranch

Leopold’s Legacy: The Five Tools That Shaped Conservation

Published

1 month ago

May 14, 2026

NTFR

By Raenne Santos

Known as the father of wildlife management, Aldo Leopold’s teachings reshaped our understanding of conservation and our role in nature. His philosophy, rooted in ethics, ecology, and action, emerged in response to the environmental degradation of the early 20th century in the American West. Overgrazed pastures, eroding soils, and changing wildlife populations revealed the consequences of treating natural resources as limitless.

Recognizing these challenges, Leopold theorized a transformative approach to land stewardship, emphasizing that the land is not merely a commodity, but a community in which we all belong. His works, A Sand County Almanac and Land Ethic, are still referenced to this day by modern conservationists. In Land Ethic, he introduced a practical framework for wildlife management known as the Five Tools of Wildlife Management, which offers land stewards a structured approach to maintaining and restoring ecological balance.

Symbolizing brush management, the axe is one of Leopold’s tools for controlling invasive species, shaping habitats, and mitigating wildfire risks. By selectively removing vegetation, land managers can enhance biodiversity, create open spaces for native species, and maintain healthy ecosystems.

Representing grazing animals, the cow (when used properly) mimics the natural disturbances once provided by bison. Grazing animals promote healthy ecosystems by aiding in nutrient cycling and soil disturbance. Responsible grazing practices prevent overuse and contribute to sustainable land management.

The plow signifies mechanical disturbance and soil preparation, crucial for habitat restoration and agricultural productivity. Used strategically, it aids in cultivating crops and creating conditions favorable to wildlife. However, misuse can lead to erosion, requiring careful application in conservation efforts.

Fire, a powerful natural tool, plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and landscape resilience. Land managers use prescribed fire to control invasive species, rejuvenate plant communities, and shape habitats. Fire promotes the natural cycles of ecosystems and supports species diversity.

The final tool, the gun, is used to manage game populations and control predators. During Leopold’s time, unregulated hunting contributed to species extinction and posed threats to others. Today, hunting is strictly managed through game laws and seasonal regulations to ensure sustainable populations.

Leopold’s Five Tools of Wildlife Management continue to influence conservation practices today. While techniques have evolved, the fundamental principles remain the same—balancing human involvement with ecological processes to sustain healthy ecosystems. His approach emphasizes the importance of working with nature rather than against it. By embracing ethical land stewardship, modern conservationists honor Leopold’s vision, ensuring that future generations inherit thriving landscapes.