Rainfall totals uneven around the state

COLLEGE STATION - As far as rainfall, it was feast or famine, according to reports from Texas AgriLife Extension Service county agents throughout the state.

In East Texas, some counties reported as much as six inches. Some counties in North Texas got as much as three inches.

In the South, Southwest and West Central regions, top soil moisture remained low, putting dryland wheat and oat crops at risk, and requiring livestock producers to continue to supply supplemental feed.

"We got rainfall in the amount of 3 to 6 inches across the county, with much runoff to fill most low ponds and water surface areas," said Douglas McKinney, AgriLife Extension agent in Panola County. "Livestock are still consuming much hay with limited winter pasture growing."

"Our weather has been warmer than usual with several windy days and some blowing sand," said Greg Gruben, AgriLife Extension agent in Scurry County." Conditions are extremely dry and winter wheat is suffering. We need the rain for the crop to come."

"Wheat pastures continue to suffer," said Heath Lusty, AgriLife Extension agent in Jack County. "Fire danger is extremely high and 400 acres burned this week. Some producers have already started pricing fertilizer, and it will cost well over $50 per acre this year."

The following conditions were reported by AgriLife Extension districts this week:

CENTRAL: Topsoil moisture improved and pastures showed signs of greening up. However, there is still not much grazing in the pastures for wildlife and livestock. Stock tank levels continued to drop. Beef cattle producers were supplementing cows with feed and hay.

COASTAL BEND: Days were warm with some light rainfall. Soil moisture remained mostly short. Producers began planting corn. Rainfall is needed for winter pastures and crops. Livestock was still being supplemented with feed as there is a shortage of good quality forage.