Cotton is in very poor to fair condition. District Extension Director Galen Chandler reports damaging beet armyworm infestations are present in fields in Knox and Haskell counties. Some thrips persist in the northwest part of the district. North and East Texas report that pastures are burning up and hay prices are going up. Cattle are beginning to show signs of stress and herd reductions are increasing.
Drought conditions continue in Far West and West Central Texas.
Cotton predictions are not optomistic and many dryland producers are having insurance adjustors zero-out cotton acres. Central Texas reports corn will be harvested as sileage or hay. Range conditions are deteriorating and supplemental feeding and culling continues. Temporary relief was seen with scattered rains in Southeast Texas. In the Southwest, about 2 inches of rain fell in the region from Uvalde to the Hill Country.