Conditions in rangelands and unimproved pasture vary dramatically across Texas based on precipitation as the warm-season forage growing period begins, said experts with the .
At more than 92 million acres, rangelands represent Texas’ largest native cover type and comprise diverse ecosystems of native grasses and forbs that livestock production and wildlife populations rely on.
While Central and West Texas have received some relief from recent rainfall, the moisture hasn’t been enough to replenish the region’s rangelands after multiple years of drought and above-average temperatures, said Morgan Treadwell, Ph.D. AgriLife Extension range specialist and professor in the Texas A&M Department of Rangelands, Wildlife and Fisheries Management, San Angelo.
“We’ve definitely received some relief, but it hasn’t been enough to fully bail us out,” Treadwell said. “These compounding back-to-back drought events have really dominated the western landscape and parts of the Edwards Plateau and Hill Country as significant stressors.”
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, roughly 52% of the state is in some form of drought, compared to 27% this time last year. Extreme and exceptional drought classifications account for 26% of the landscape compared to only 2% in 2024.
Precipitation outlook in the West requires strategic actions from producers
With the National Weather Service predicting a continuation of this warmer, dry pattern in the western portion of Texas over the next three months, Treadwell said some producers are making difficult decisions regarding their livestock operations.
“Some folks west of San Angelo are reducing or liquidating their cattle herd but keeping small ruminants like goats and sheep,” she said. “I think that is a difficult decision to make but a very strategic move considering how foragers can rely on vegetation other than perennial grasses.”
Treadwell said goats can also help suppress woody encroachment of species like mesquite and redberry juniper that can rapidly establish during drought years.
Planning ahead is critical, even in good conditions
Areas east of U.S. Interstate 35 as well as portions of the Panhandle and North Texas are doing very well in terms of precipitation and early green up of warm-season perennial grasses, said Jeff Goodwin, Ph.D., director of the Texas A&M Center for Grazinglands and Ranch Management and Texas A&M AgriLife Research assistant professor in the Department of Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries Management
“In trying to find some optimism, the precipitation South Texas received in March was quite timely, and those rangelands will greatly benefit from that moisture,” said Goodwin, who also holds the Thomas M. O’Connor Endowed Directorship in Rangeland and Wildlife Management at Texas A&M University.
He added that dramatic weather extremes underscore the importance of livestock producers establishing contingency plans and mitigation strategies ahead of time.
“The most common challenge we face is drought,” Goodwin said. “From a drought perspective, producers need a contingency plan with established indicators that trigger certain actions.”
For example, if a producer sees that their rangeland or pasture has produced half the amount of grass typical for that period in a growing season, that assessment should trigger some sort of mitigation action such as employing stockpiled pastures, weaning calves early or reducing the stocking rate, he said.
“You have to do your best to maintain rangeland vegetation cover and soil health,” Goodwin said. “The ranches that maintain good vegetation cover are typically the last ones to feel the effects of a drought and the first ones to bounce back.”
In addition to benefiting a herd, he said this planning also serves wildlife that rely on abundant and varied rangeland vegetation for food, nesting, thermal and safety cover, and more.
Panhandle recovery still ongoing
One year after the Panhandle wildfires, Goodwin and Treadwell said the region’s rangelands are slowly recuperating but still need significant rainfall for full recovery.
“The producers who I have met with understand now is the time for grazing deferment and rest to capitalize on the future benefits and resources afforded from that fire,” Treadwell said. “They are amazing rangeland stewards and want to get it right — they’re very optimistic for future rainfall to come.”
AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:
Rolling Plains
Plentiful rain across the district accelerated pasture grass growth. The moisture provided favorable conditions for future cotton and hay plantings. Some isolated flooding damaged a small percentage of the wheat, oats and corn fields. Severe storms and a couple of confirmed tornadoes in a few areas caused damage to barns, outbuildings, grain bins and fences. There was also damage to a small amount of corn and wheat. Most wheat looked good.
Coastal Bend
Rain fell over most counties, with reports ranging from trace amounts up to 3 inches. Drying conditions with warming temperatures and windy days continued to deplete topsoil moisture. Farmers with irrigation began irrigating corn last week. Corn was beginning to silk, and most fields looked good. Weeds became an issue with recent rains, and producers were working to get them under control. Pecan producers were scouting for pecan nut casebearer eggs, and some were applying insecticide accordingly. The first hay cutting was complete, but growth for the next cutting was slowed by limited rainfall. Rangeland and pasture conditions continued to improve, with ample high-quality forage available on most operations, though areas that received little rain remained in poorer condition. Livestock were gaining body condition, and calves were gaining well.
East
The district received heavy rains, with some areas reaching as much as 6 inches. Ponds, lakes and creeks were full, and some were beyond their banks. Pasture and rangeland conditions were good. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate to surplus. Low-lying pastures and hay meadows were heavily saturated. Where possible, producers were harvesting hay and silage. Others were waiting for the soil to dry out. Cattle markets remained strong. Livestock were in fair to good condition with very little supplementation taking place. Wild pigs continued to cause damage to crops and pastures.
Southeast
Excess rainfall led to saturated soils and minor flooding in lowland areas. Some areas received hail. Soil moisture levels ranged from short to surplus. Most rice was planted before heavy rains arrived, but planting had been slowed due to persistent wet conditions in some areas. Cotton was planted, though germination has been slow. Corn, sorghum and cotton were emerging. Wheat was near harvest in some areas. Pasture and forage conditions improved significantly, and rainfall supported strong growth. Fertilizer applications on summer grasses were underway in preparation for the hay season. Pasture and livestock conditions were poor to excellent. Pond levels continued to decline in drier areas.
South Plains
Subsoil and topsoil moisture remained short. Some spotty rains were reported with some areas getting a good amount of rain and some places not receiving any. Producers were still preparing fields for planting. Cattle were in good condition.
Panhandle
Most of the counties received rainfall, from light showers to several inches and some hail. While the moisture was needed and should improve planting conditions, the hail had a negative impact on headed wheat. Growers continued to make progress planting corn. A few cotton fields were planted as soil temperatures continued to climb. Early harvest of wheat and triticale silage was underway. Rangelands and pastures continued to green up. The recent precipitation benefited topsoil moisture levels, but additional rainfall was needed to improve deeper soil profiles throughout the district. Overall soil moisture levels were short to adequate. Pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to good. Overall crop conditions were fair to good.
North
The district experienced scattered rainfall, and temperatures remained in the mid-70s to high 80s. Topsoil and subsoil levels were adequate to surplus across the district. Pasture and rangeland conditions were mostly fair to good with a few scattered areas reported as excellent. Pastures were in high production mode for ryegrass and other cool-season grasses. Wheat and oats were in very good condition and heading was progressing with grain fill occurring under great soil moisture conditions. Corn was in good condition, but more sunshine would improve growth. Feral hogs remained very active across the district. Livestock were in excellent condition.
Far West
Many intense storms brought sporadic rain, strong winds and hail. Fortunately, no major damage was reported. Conditions were cooler with higher humidity. High winds dried out topsoil. Subsoil moisture levels remained alarmingly low, with little to be found 6-12 inches below the surface. Farmers continued planting hay grazer. Cotton planting was still on hold, but preparations continued as farmers anticipated starting within the next few weeks. Drip irrigation systems were turned on for upcoming cotton planting. Most corn had emerged, though some fields suffered hail damage, and growers were assessing whether the crop was salvageable. Sorghum emerged, but cooler temperatures hampered its progress. Watermelons were faring better but were progressing at a sluggish pace. Pastures, especially those left ungrazed for multiple years, began to green up. Livestock conditions remained fair overall, though the fluctuating weather added some challenges. Feeding efforts for livestock and wildlife continued amid the shifting conditions.
West Central
Warm and dry conditions persisted but several counties reported 0.5-4.5 inches of rainfall. Severe storms led to tornadoes that damaged trees and outbuildings. More rainfall was in the forecast. Some counties reported up to 12 inches of rainfall for the month of April. Topsoil was drying down very quickly in some areas. The moisture helped improve forage and crop conditions. Haygrazer fields had emerged and were off to a good start, but more rain will be needed soon. Producers were planting spring forages and fertilizing Bermuda grass pastures. Pasture conditions were improving grazing availability for livestock. Cattle were being worked. The cattle market was active with high demand across all classes. Some wheat was beginning to change color. There was some freeze damage reported in wheat. Many wheat and oat fields were being grazed out or baled for hay. Grain sorghum emerged and needed rain. Cotton planting was expected to begin soon in irrigated fields and dryland fields needed more rain before planting. Recent rains improved conditions in some cotton fields prepared for planting.
Southwest
Moisture conditions continued to improve as most areas received some rainfall – trace amounts up to 3 inches. More rainfall was in the forecast. Rangeland and pasture conditions were greening up. Temperatures were cooler and winds picked up. Some pea-sized hail was reported in some areas. Some trees did not leaf out this spring, raising ongoing concerns about limited deeper soil moisture. Pecan producers were not seeing pecan nut casebearer moths yet. Row crops appeared to be progressing well. Recent rains provided a boost to corn and sorghum fields. Producers were applying herbicides and fertilizers, and pasture weed control and fertilization efforts were showing good results. Heavy supplemental feeding of livestock continued to be necessary in some areas. Livestock markets were steady to higher.
South
Agricultural conditions were favorable with mild temperatures and some spotty moisture across the district. Topsoil and subsoil conditions continued to be very short to short. Winds were high, and daily temperatures reached the upper-90s. Some rain was in the forecast. Stock tank levels remained a concern for some producers. All row crops were planted and progressing well with adequate soil moisture. However, both row crops and forages needed additional rainfall. Cotton planting was wrapping up. Fieldwork for peanuts continued. Strawberry production continued to move along. Onion and cabbage harvests should be concluding soon. Citrus trees were doing well with juvenile fruit continuing the maturation process. Some late-planted crops failed and will most likely be replanted. Corn looked good but needed rain. Hay producers continued preparing for the next cutting. Planted sesame emerged and very few acres were left to plant. Beet armyworm pressure was reported on sesame. Grain sorghum fields looked clean, but a few fields had some sorghum aphids. Pastures that did not experience days of standing water due to last month’s flood were doing well. Rangeland conditions were improving. Rangeland and pasture conditions were fair to good in most areas and grazing availability was improving. Ranchers planned to do herbicide brush work. Livestock were in good condition, but supplemental feeding was necessary. Beef cattle prices remained very high. Feed prices were high.
