N RANCHING
atural Resources
benefi t is the amount of forbs that have sprouted. Examples of ben- efi cial forbs from the Trans-Pecos Region include tallow weed, yellow top and fi laree. However, when the good forbs are abundant, toxic forbs such as locoweed and senecio (sub- shrub) are numerous as well. As far as cattle production is con-
California fi laree
grasses. Early-planted cool season plants are excellent, with plentiful growth. Late-planted cool season plants are very slow and delayed, with little growth. Rainfall has been adequate in most places, with
moderate temperatures. There are no major pest prob- lems at this time.
The amount of bare ground we have now, coupled with existing soil moisture, will most defi nitely give rise to weeds we haven’t seen for some time.
Trans Pecos Region Scott Bryan, rangeland management specialist, USDA- NRCS During the fall and winter of 2014, the Trans-Pecos
had a precipitation pattern slightly above normal. There has been benefi cial moisture in the form of slow steady rains, wintery mix and some snow. This will have 2 major benefi ts. The most noticeable
52 The Cattleman April 2015
cerned, the most important benefi t will be starting off the spring with a moist soil profi le. This will aid in early grass production. Most of the region does not typically get a spring green-up, as a result of in- adequate winter moisture, and so relies on summer rains to get the grass production started. I hope that the dry winds of March and April will not steal this blessing from the land and that the low pressure systems will keep rolling our way.
Concho Valley Grant Teplicek, rangeland management specialist, US- DA-NRCS The pastures are in good condition. Most of this area
received good rain- and snowfall in January and Feb- ruary. The winter grass and small grains are growing with the warm days that we have been having. Now is the time to treat prickly pear and there are producers getting applicators lined up to do this. There is good underground moisture right now, so we project having good spring production.
Edwards Region Kason Haby, rangeland management specialist, USDA- NRCS Most of the region received normal to slightly above
normal precipitation in January and February. The National Weather Service is predicting above normal precipitation through the spring. This has led to an abundance of cool-season forbs
which are increasing the forage quality on both range and pasture. Watch for any noxious or poisonous weeds that may be coming up, though. Small grains on dryland had good growing condi-
tions and were grazed earlier this year throughout the region. With the improved soil moisture conditions, we could see a good start to spring and warm-season grass
thecattlemanmagazine.com
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