May's drought third-worst ever for that month in Texas history
AgriLife Extension Service
Central Texas outlook
The rain from two weeks ago played out. Stock-water tanks were drying out and pastures were not producing much grass. Strong winds and high temperatures continued to make conditions worse. Some producers made their first hay cutting for fear of losing the crop. Hay yields were expected to be about half of the normal crop. Without rain soon, producers expected to have to start selling cows again.
May brought Texas its third-worst drought ever for that month, said John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University professor and Texas’ state climatologist.
Nielsen-Gammon published that assessment on his blog, the Climate Abyss, based on Palmer Drought Severity Index values.
“Records go back to 1895,” he said. “May also marks the end of the driest eight-month period on record.”
The worst droughts remain those in 1918 and 1956, according Nielsen-Gammon. It may not be the worst drought ever, but lifelong farmers throughout the state are telling Texas AgriLife Extension Service agents this is the driest they’ve ever known.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, nearly half the state remained in what is termed an “exceptional” drought, which means a once-in-50-years occurrence.
More than 90 percent of the state was experiencing either a severe or exceptional drought. Only parts of north central and northeast Texas were not at least abnormally dry as of May 31.
“Corn, milo and cotton are under severe drought-like conditions and stressing,” said Pasquale Swaner, Agri- Life Extension agent for Falls County. “Stocker cattle producers have shipped cattle to feedlots. Pasture conditions are severe with little hay production across the county.”
Mark Brown, AgriLife Extension agent for Lubbock County, said conditions in his area remained hot and dry during the last week.
“Blowing dust from gusting winds occurred on several days,” he said. “Irrigation continues where feasible. May ended with 0.26 inches of moisture recorded, making this year the driest five-month period on record for Lubbock.”
Recent rains may have greened things up in East Texas, but the region remains in a drought.
“We are in bad need of rain,” said Clint Perkins, AgriLife Extension agent for Wood County, about 100 miles east of Dallas. “Hay production is starting with drastically decreased yields. I have reports that the first cutting is one-quarter to half of normal.”
John Nielson-Gammon’s blog is hosted by the Houston Chronicle and can be found at http://blog.chron.com/climateabyss/.
MORE IN FARM AND RANCH »
