According to the USDA-NASS Texas Crop Progress and Condition Weekly Summary for July 2-8, warm weather affected most of the state during the past week, but rainfalls across the Gulf coast helped to cool down temperatures. Precipitation in the Upper Coast ranged from 2 to 6 inches, with isolated areas getting upwards of 10 inches. Rainfall in the Coastal Bend, the Lower Valley, South Texas, South Central Texas, the Edwards Plateau and the Trans-Pecos ranged from 0.5 to 2 inches, with isolated areas receiving upwards of 5 inches. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork. Livestock conditions were mostly fair to good across the state. Supplemental feeding of livestock was reported in areas of the Cross Timbers, the Blacklands, North East Texas and South Texas. Low pond water levels were causing problem for livestock producers in North East Texas. Producers in areas of the Cross Timbers began to cull herds due to a lack of suitable forage. Pasture and range condition was rated 60 percent fair to poor. Read more…