“I anticipate most first harvest will occur in the next two to three weeks. Most of Central Texas and East Texas has had good moisture recently, so that’s setting us up for a good first harvest.”
Corriher-Olson said producers’ 2025 hay season harvest outcomes will be “heavily dependent” on fertilizer applications and rainfall. Models suggest favorable rainfall in the upcoming months.
“According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, East Texas should have good growing conditions through the end of July,” she said. “Fingers are crossed.”
East Texas benefits from rain
Rain showers across East Texas have helped the emergence of Bermuda grass.
“We’ve had a lot of producers baling ryegrass and planting coastal Bermuda grass, which is a good thing,” said Truman Lamb, AgriLife Extension agent for agriculture and natural resources, Anderson County. “There have been a lot of folks doing soil tests, which we have been stressing for years. As the cost of fertilizer goes up, producers can’t afford to be over-applying or under-applying fertilizer.”
Hay prices for fertilized round bales in East Texas have been steady in the $60-$70 per bale range, while non-fertilized round bales are around $45 per bale.
“If the rain keeps coming, we will be OK,” Lamb said. “We are carrying over a lot of hay from last year. I’ve even seen hay still standing in the field and hasn’t been moved.”
Cattle producers will be watching hay yields to gauge how many bales to have on hand to fulfill herd feeding needs this winter. Lamb said producers are holding back enough heifers for replacement in their herds but continue selling cows and calves to take advantage of record-high cattle prices.
Brazos Valley optimism
Further south, producers shared a similar outlook despite drying conditions.
“Speaking with producers, they are positive about their first cutting due to the lack of a ‘late freeze’ that we can commonly see in late March, even early April,” said Chadd Caperton, AgriLife Extension agent for Brazos County. “The dryer weather is not good for growth but has allowed earlier access to baling the ryegrass to give summer forages an early start.”
Summer forages have benefited from favorable temperatures, Caperton said, but pastures and rangeland do need rain. Areas received some rainfall but it was not enough for continued forage production and below normal levels for this time of the year.
Caperton said most producers consider the first cutting a good start to their forage production season, but “they are also hesitant and less optimistic about early to mid-summer growth based on the current weather patterns.”
Texas is experiencing a neutral El Niño-Southern Oscillation, which typically means rainfall and temperatures are near their long-term averages.
Corriher-Olson said warm-season perennial grasses have broken dormancy and are actively growing.
“Some pastures likely still have some cool-season annuals that are being grazed,” she said. “It will be important as we move into summer that producers manage their stocking rates to reduce overgrazing prior to or during potential drought conditions.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Central
Conditions improved due to rainfall, with additional precipitation forecasted. The fields turned green, and the crops responded well, exhibiting strong growth. Livestock remained in good condition, and the cattle market stayed strong. Pasture fertilization and herbicide applications were underway. Rivers and lakes benefited from runoff, but deep soil moisture remained limited or absent. Some cotton fields were submerged for a week, and in some areas, planting was impossible. Wheat began to turn color, and some fields experienced bird damage and late infestations of leaf rust.
Rolling Plains
Widespread rainfall delivered up to 12 inches in some areas and significantly improved surface moisture, benefiting rangeland and pasture conditions. While the rain came too late to help wheat crops, many of which showed signs of disease and poor yield potential, it greatly boosted spring grass growth, filled stock tanks and improved livestock body conditions. Corn and sorghum fields were off to a good start but faced weed pressure and yellowing in waterlogged, low-lying areas. Although subsoil moisture remained limited in some places, producers had the moisture needed for upcoming hay and cotton planting. Scattered rainfall patterns meant not all areas benefited equally, and flooding was an issue in places that received excessive rainfall. More rain was forecast, which could worsen waterlogging and delay plantings.
Coastal Bend
Some areas received trace amounts of rain to over 3 inches midweek. Light rain fell across the area on Easter Monday, with heavier rainfall near Houston. Soil moisture improved where significant rain fell, but more rain was needed. Planting was done, crops were emerging well and most looked good. Early planted corn was in excellent condition and in the early silk stage. Mid-season corn plantings were in poor to fair condition with varied maturity, and late-planted corn looked good. Sorghum and cotton followed similar trends, with late plantings appearing most uniform. Producers were managing a flush of weeds and grass as fields became dry enough to work. Pasture conditions continued to improve, with grass green-up and rapid growth. Some hay fields were close to a first cutting. Livestock body condition scores improved, and cattle remained in fair to good condition. Calves were starting to bloom. Most herds had calved out, and a high percentage of older cows and those in poorer condition were shipped. Pecan trees were blooming, and producers were scouting for pecan nut casebearers. Corn leafhopper scouting was active, with none found in the Upper Gulf Coast portion of the district, and thrips were present in cotton.
Southeast
Several counties faced dry weather while some locations received light to moderate rain that improved soil moisture and boosted crop growth. Despite improvements, many producers still needed additional moisture to sustain progress. Ponds were low and pastures were in fair shape. Corn, sorghum and rice fields were planted, and emerged fields progressed well. Livestock, pasture and grazing conditions improved. Some pastures struggled with excessive rainfall and humidity, which delayed hay cutting. Pasture and rangeland conditions were poor to excellent. Soil moisture levels were short to surplus. Livestock body conditions were fair to excellent. Wheat was in fair condition and headed out.
South Plains
Some areas received trace amounts of rain up to 3 inches while other areas had no rain at all and remained desperate for rainfall. The cooler weather and humidity helped wheat fields. Some farmers received enough moisture to start planting corn and sorghum. In areas that received rain, the warm-season grasses were improving dramatically. Cattle were in good condition, but some were still on supplemental feed.
Panhandle
The district received some widespread rain. Soil moisture was very short to adequate. Some areas received light rain while other areas experienced flooding and tornadoes. The moisture was beneficial for wheat growth and development and was much needed for rangeland and pastures. Corn planting continued on days and locations suitable for fieldwork. Six-inch soil temperatures continued to warm, approaching those acceptable for planting cotton. Recent rain showers were very timely for irrigated and dryland warm-season crops being planted, maturing wheat and other small-grain crops. Improved and native grass pastures showed a flush of new vegetative growth. Cattle grazing wheat were doing excellent. Supplementation of cattle on rangeland had ceased as green-up continued. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good while crops were poor to good.
North
Counties reported pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Subsoil and topsoil moisture were adequate to surplus. Most counties received some rain, which continued through the weekend, with strong storms moving through some areas. Winter wheat performed well, with all wheat headed out. Corn grew well, but some fields experienced saturated soil during the week as temperatures remained favorable. Crops looked good overall, and winter crops neared harvest. Livestock were in fair to good condition and began putting on weight from spring grasses. Spring pastures responded well to warm weather and moisture. Many producers completed their first hay harvest. Blackberries, stone fruits and spring vegetables progressed well, and rangeland conditions improved. Insect populations began to increase, but no significant insect or disease issues were reported.
Far West
Agricultural conditions improved, but challenges remained. Conditions were warm, with humidity and temperature highs in the mid-80s. Some counties received much-needed rainfall, estimated at around 2 inches, which enhanced soil moisture and supported forage growth. Hail and wind damage were reported and remained a concern. Other areas continued to struggle with drought. Some producers took advantage of the moisture and planted hay grazer. Cotton planting was underway. Farmers with limited water access relied on irrigation wells and reducing acreage. Corn and melons progressed well, and pecan orchards and alfalfa fields were irrigated as needed. Livestock remained in fair condition and benefited from greening pastures in some areas, but many producers continued to provide feed.
West Central
The district received 1-4 inches of rain, but most areas still needed more. Water levels rose in most lakes and stock tanks. The rains helped topsoil moisture, but subsoil moisture levels remained short. The rain greened up pastures, but grazing remained limited, and several timely rains were needed for rangeland recovery and forage growth. The soil moisture should benefit cotton and sorghum crops the most. Field preparation for spring forage planting continued with some fields already planted and some fertilizer applications complete. Some producers planted Sudan grass before the rain, and it was up and growing. Wheat and oat fields neared graze-out. The rains will not help wheat fields that were going to grain. Sorghum fields were off to a strong start with timely rains but needed more moisture soon to maintain progress. Row crop producers sprayed weeds and prepared the ground for upcoming cotton planting. Some wheat fields were baled for cattle. Producers rushed to plant hay grazer. Pecan trees were slow to grow and leaf out. Pastures appeared very green following recent rains. Calls continued regarding drought-stressed trees, and concerns were expected to persist. Producers continued spring cattle work. Cattle looked fleshy and in good condition. Some producers applied fertilizer to Coastal Bermuda grass before recent rains. Producers continued supplemental feeding and sold cattle lighter than usual. Mineral deficiencies were noted in some livestock. Many calves were weaned early to help cows recover and conserve grass. The cattle market remained strong with all classes selling at steady to higher prices.
South
Conditions were hot and dry for most of the week with some midweek rain showers that brought a couple of inches of rain to parts of the district. Some areas continued to suffer from extended drought, and irrigation through local water canals was closed due to a lack of available water. Stock tank levels remained a concern for some producers, and soil moisture was short. Crops and rangeland began to show drought stress due to the lack of significant rainfall. Corn grew steadily, cotton was being planted, and fieldwork for peanuts began. Strawberry producers continued harvesting and moving produce. Row crops that survived the flooding rains at the beginning of the month recovered and progressed well. Follow-up rains will be needed to sustain crops through the hotter part of the growing season. Wheat and oat crops continued to mature, and fields were prepared for harvest. Onion harvest continued. Corn, grain sorghum and cotton crops progressed and showed very little insect pressure. Sunflowers were in full bloom. Sesame emerged with good stands. Hay producers baled their hay meadows, and recent moisture, well-timed herbicide and fertilizer applications contributed to good bale-per-acre yields. Some citrus orchards were removed. Livestock and wildlife were in good condition and benefited from moderate temperatures, though supplemental feeding remained necessary. Pastures and rangelands continued to recover and improve with recent rainfall. Local livestock markets reported average volumes this week with steady and strong prices for all classes of beef cattle, and feed prices remained high at local feed stores.
Source : tamu.edu