N RANCHING
atural Resources
Texas Range Report R
ANGE PROFESSIONALS ON THE GRAZING LANDS CONSERVA- tion Initiative (GLCI) team provide a snapshot view of range conditions in their areas of the
state, as of late November. They also provide a look ahead to what range conditions might be in the early part of 2015. This report is organized by Jeff Goodwin, state rangeland management specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the GLCI range management specialists.
High Plains Region Clint Rollins, rangeland management specialist, USDA-NRCS The majority of the Texas Panhandle received timely
and effective rainfall during the 2014 growing season. Most of the area recorded at least average to slightly higher rainfall, which resulted in good forage produc- tion. Many areas, thought to be dead due to the severe drought conditions in 2011 and 2012, have produced new vegetative growth this growing season. The amount of bare ground has decreased considerably, although the amount of organic matter and litter is still less than desirable. Soil moisture is still below normal. We need good
fall and winter moisture in the form of rain and snow to break the drought.
46 The Cattleman January 2015 Producers should be cautious in increasing grazing
animal numbers during the months of the dormant sea- son. The extra forage produced in 2014 will be a major temptation to graze more animals, but that would be unwise at this time.
Southern Rolling Plains Matthew Coffman, rangeland management specialist, USDA-NRCS Conditions are varying widely across the Southern
Rolling Plains, but the general outlook is optimistic as we close out our growing season. Rainfall amounts for 2014 vary anywhere from 16.75
inches to 28.46 inches (West Texas Mesonet), with the average across the area being 20 inches. This puts the area only slightly below our “average” rainfall. With most of the rainfall coming in late May, June
and again in September, things are set up for a great start to a recovery from the last 4 years of drought. If moisture continues during the winter as predicted, the Rolling Plains may be able to start the spring of 2015 with some soil moisture carried over for the fi rst time in several years. Range conditions vary across the area as well.
Pastures that were able to get a head start on the drought, and were managed accordingly from 2011 to
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