Drought in Live Oak, Texas

Continued D2.

Periods of rainfall across the Coastal Bend and South Texas provided temporary relief for crops and pastures but ultimately did little to halt the ongoing decline in soil moisture and persistence of drought conditions in some areas. Scattered showers delayed fieldwork and harvest activities'particularly for grain sorghum, corn, and rice'but improved short-term range and pasture conditions, supporting livestock health and reducing the need for supplementation. Cotton and sesame responded well to the moisture, though some areas required supplemental irrigation due to continued dryness. Soil moisture levels were generally adequate immediately following rainfall but quickly began to decline under triple-digit temperatures and high winds. While most crops progressed well and pastures remained in fair to good shape, areas lacking recent rainfall began to suffer, and producers grew concerned about moisture availability heading into August.