Exceptional, extreme drought ongoing for most of Texas – Falcon Lake dropping ‘at a staggering pace’

By Robert Burns, Texas A&M
3 June 2011 COLLEGE STATION — A few areas received rain, but except for parts of north-central and extreme northeast Texas, the state continued to suffer from moderate to exceptional drought, according the U.S. Drought monitor. Even where the drought had lifted, Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel reported shortages of hay and damaged crops from lack of rain earlier. All of the Panhandle remained in a severe to exceptional drought. A report from Mike Bragg, AgriLife Extension agent for Dallam County, northwest of Amarillo, was typical of agent reports from the region for the last week of May. “Two fires up at reporting time. … One that consumed 15,280 acres — cause unknown. The other burned 600 acres and was caused by downed power poles due to extreme winds,” Bragg said. “Critical fire danger weather conditions are likely this weekend. Farmers were busy irrigating summer crops, completing planting of corn and cotton, and haying wheat and alfalfa.” … Conditions varied considerably across East Texas, but the report from Blaine Jernigan, AgriLife Extension agent for Rusk County, mirrored the common themes. “The weather is dry with no significant rainfall occurring during the reporting period,” Jernigan said. “Winds continue to be high, depleting soil moisture. There was very limited hay production occurring at this time.” The report by Arlan Gentry, AgriLife Extension agent for Ward County, southwest of Odessa, was similar to many of those by Far West county agents. “No change,” Gentry said. “No rain, temperatures in the 90s and 100s, and still breezy to windy. Producers are making choices to sell cattle versus continued feeding. …” In South Texas, extremely hot weather was rapidly drying out areas that received rain earlier in the month. “Any improvements from mid-May showers have dried up with prolonged triple-digit weather,” said Caleb Eaton, AgriLife Extension agent for Zapata County. “Water levels at Falcon Lake continue to drop at a staggering pace.” …

Texas crop, weather for June 1, 2011: Exceptional, extreme drought ongoing for most of state