West Texas Rangelands
West Texas RangelandsWe hope to provide a variety of science-based rangeland information and current research on prescribed fire, wildfires, brush management, and grazing management!

Fire and Wildlife: Building Better Habitat on Texas Rangelands

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Guest Collaborator – Mr. Cooper Caswell, Undergraduate Student Angelo State University 

Fire has historically been a threat to wildlife; however, it is a widely proven fact that one of the most beneficial tools available in Texas rangelands to create improved wildlife habitat is the use of prescribed fire. Natural wildfires and fire utilized by Indigenous peoples created grassland habitat for millennia before the widespread practice of fire suppression and removed encroaching woody species, recycled nutrients, and stimulated grass and plant growth-the species on which native wildlife are accustomed to feed. Today, years of fire suppression have permitted the spread of invasive woody species over millions of Texas acres; the result: dense woody cover limits native grass and food production, creating an unsuitable habitat for many species.

Carefully designed prescribed burns bring back open grasslands, a diversity of plant life, and healthy ecosystem support for livestock and wildlife alike.

Benefits of Fire to Wildlife

When managed carefully, a fire seldom kills any wildlife animals directly-they tend to avoid flames or seek refuge in underground burrows, tree roots, or within unburned vegetation. While habitat loss occurs in burned patches temporarily, post-rain regrowth of green, young vegetation encourages insects, small mammals, birds, and larger grazing animals alike. The greatest ecological benefit of a burn is diversity. It creates a mosaic effect of burned and unburned portions of the landscape, providing a mix of food and habitat opportunities to attract and sustain a number of animal species.

Wildlife Responses to Prescribed Fire

Effects vary by species, but fire tends to benefit most species.

Small mammal impacts from the fire itself are generally insignificant, but increases in their availability and a surge in their populations follow as a new bounty of young plants provides an abundance of food. Numerous bird species are especially positively affected by a burn. Bobwhite quail-a grassland bird preferring a diverse mixture of open, shrubby habitats-may feed in recently burned patches, while relying on adjacent woody cover and trees for nesting and roosting opportunities. Wild Turkey may also forage in burned areas but look to the nearby trees for cover. Small songbirds can also benefit from an increase in insects and a more desirable, nutritious habitat for nesting and food. For many large mammals, like white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer, improved habitat is an important benefit of fire.

After a fire, the nutritious green forage regrows rapidly, providing readily available food resources. With nearby areas of remaining trees and shrubs providing food and shelter, edges created between burned and unburned areas become feeding zones and bedding locations. Amphibians and reptiles, so long as appropriate conditions exist at the time of burn, generally tolerate a fire quite well; many research efforts demonstrate a variety of amphibian and reptile species are often maintained or enhanced on fire-managed landscapes.

A prescribed fire needs careful planning. A successful fire utilizes the best timing, weather conditions, vegetation type, soil type, fuel levels, and species of interest to ensure success. Burning rotational segments of a ranch allows ample time for vegetation to recover between burns and for animals to use burned as well as nonburned areas.

The impact of fire multiplies when paired with good livestock grazing management, which encourages and utilizes new grass growth, forcing grazing and allowing remaining vegetation to grow.

Management for Healthy Landscapes

Wildlife habitat fluctuates; management strategies must be in place for productive rangelands. Prescribed burning returns nutrients to the soil, removes fuel for more damaging wildfires, and promotes the growth of productive native vegetation, vital for ecosystem health.

A burn plan combined with a grazing management plan on your property will ensure healthy, diverse, and resilient ecosystems for years to come.

Source: https://agrilife.org/westtexasrangelands/files/2023/08/Effects-of-fire-on-wildlife.pdf

Data Centers and Rural Landscapes: What Landowners and Communities Should Consider

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Across Texas, conversations about rural growth increasingly include a new type of development: data centers. Driven by advances in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure, data centers are expanding into communities well beyond traditional urban areas. While these facilities can bring economic opportunities, they also raise important questions about land use, water resources, energy demand, and compatibility with surrounding agricultural landscapes.

A recent white paper from Mike Turner, Vice Chair of the Loudoun County, Virginia Board of Supervisors, outlines key considerations for communities evaluating data center development. While the report focuses on one of the nation’s largest data center regions, many of the issues discussed are highly relevant to Texas communities where working lands, natural resources, and rural quality of life are important considerations.

Why Data Centers Are Expanding Into Rural Areas

Modern data centers require large amounts of land, reliable electric infrastructure, and access to communication networks. Rural areas often offer available acreage and fewer development constraints than urban locations. As a result, communities that have traditionally been dominated by agriculture, ranching, and natural resource industries may increasingly find themselves evaluating proposals for data center projects.

For landowners and local leaders, these developments can present both opportunities and challenges. Understanding the potential impacts before projects are approved can help communities make informed decisions about long-term land use and resource management.

Beyond Buildings: Looking at Resource Demands

One of the key themes emphasized in the Loudoun County guidance is that data centers are more than large buildings. Their operation depends on substantial supporting infrastructure, particularly energy and water resources. The report recommends requiring clear documentation regarding projected electricity demands, transmission needs, substations, and long-term utility requirements before projects move forward.

This is particularly relevant in many parts of Texas where electric infrastructure already serves agricultural operations, rural communities, and growing populations. Large industrial power users can influence future infrastructure investments and may affect how utility systems expand over time.

The report also recommends understanding how much water a facility will use annually, what cooling systems will be utilized, and whether potable or reclaimed water sources will be required. These considerations are especially important in areas where water availability is already a concern.

Water Matters in Texas

For those involved in agriculture and rangeland management, water is often at the center of long-term planning discussions. Whether managing livestock, wildlife habitat, or forage production, water availability influences virtually every aspect of land stewardship.

The Loudoun County recommendations encourage communities to evaluate cooling technologies, water sources, and wastewater treatment requirements before approving development. Understanding these needs allows communities to better assess whether existing infrastructure can support future demands and whether additional resource pressures may emerge. https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/View/217610/15-Best-Practices-for-Communities-Considering-Data-Centers?bidId=

In Texas, where drought planning and water conservation remain ongoing priorities, these questions become especially important when evaluating new large-scale developments.

Considering Compatibility with Working Lands

Many Texas counties are working to maintain productive farms, ranches, and open spaces while accommodating growth. From a rangeland stewardship perspective, one of the most important questions is whether a proposed use is compatible with surrounding rangeland uses and long-term community goals.

The Loudoun County recommendations suggest incorporating performance standards into land-use plans and zoning regulations rather than allowing projects to proceed automatically. The report also highlights setbacks, screening, landscaping, and design considerations that can influence the visual impacts of large facilities.

For communities adjacent to working lands, these discussions extend beyond aesthetics. Development decisions can influence land values, infrastructure demands, wildlife movement, and future land-use patterns.

Noise, Light, and Community Impacts

Another topic addressed in the report is operational impacts. Data centers can generate continuous equipment noise, require backup power systems, and contribute to light pollution depending on facility design and operation. The guidance recommends conducting both pre- and post-construction noise studies and establishing clear performance standards to address potential concerns.

For rural residents accustomed to quieter environments, these considerations may significantly influence perceptions of compatibility and quality of life. Understanding potential impacts before construction begins can help communities address concerns proactively rather than reactively.

Balancing Economic Opportunities and Resource Stewardship

The report notes that data centers can provide substantial tax revenue, support local initiatives, create construction jobs, and often have relatively low demands on schools and transportation infrastructure compared to some other forms of development. At the same time, the report identifies concerns related to power consumption, water use, transmission infrastructure, noise, and visual impacts.

This balance between economic opportunity and resource stewardship is not unique to data centers. It mirrors many of the conversations occurring across Texas as communities consider how best to accommodate growth while preserving the natural resources and working landscapes that define their region.

Planning Before Growth Occurs

Perhaps the most important takeaway from the white paper is the importance of planning before development proposals arrive. Land-use plans, zoning ordinances, and infrastructure evaluations are most effective when they provide clear guidance in advance rather than responding after major projects are proposed. The report recommends ensuring that land-use plans address data center performance standards and that zoning regulations align with those goals.

For Texas communities, this proactive approach can help create a framework for evaluating future developments while protecting local priorities related to agriculture, water resources, wildlife habitat, and rural quality of life.

Looking Ahead

As demand for digital infrastructure continues to grow, more rural communities will likely encounter discussions about data center development. Whether a community views these facilities as opportunities, challenges, or some combination of both, understanding their potential impacts is critical.

For landowners, natural resource professionals, and local decision-makers, the conversation should extend beyond the facility footprint itself. Questions about water, energy, land use, infrastructure, and long-term community goals all deserve consideration. Thoughtful planning today can help ensure that future development aligns with the values and resources that make Texas working lands so important.

Original Source

This article was inspired by “15 Best Practices for Communities Considering Data Centers”, published by the Loudoun County, Virginia Board of Supervisors, May 2026. The document outlines key considerations related to noise, power, water, emissions, setbacks, and community planning for data center development.

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Building Fire Capacity Before the Next Burn: New Continuing Fire Training Course Supports Prescribed Fire Practitioners

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Across Texas, prescribed fire continues to play an important role in rangeland management, wildlife habitat improvement, fuel reduction, and ecosystem health. As the use of prescribed fire expands, so does the need for ongoing training that helps practitioners stay current on regulations, safety considerations, and evolving best management practices.

Building fire capacity requires more than favorable weather and burn objectives. It depends on well-trained practitioners who understand the science, planning, and execution behind successful prescribed fire programs. An updated online continuing fire training course is designed to help prescribed fire practitioners, natural resource professionals, and land managers stay current on best practices while earning six hours of continuing fire training. The course also fulfills continuing education requirements for Texas Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers.

Why Continuing Fire Training Matters
Prescribed fire is one of the most effective land management tools available to Texas landowners. When applied under appropriate conditions, fire can help manage brush encroachment, improve forage production, enhance wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire fuel loads, and maintain healthy rangeland ecosystems.

Like any management practice, however, prescribed burning requires planning, preparation, and ongoing professional development. Regulations evolve, new technologies become available, and lessons learned from burn programs across the state continue to improve how practitioners approach fire management.

Continuing education helps ensure prescribed fire practitioners remain informed about current standards while strengthening their ability to safely and effectively apply fire on the landscape.

Training Designed for Real-World Application
One strength of this updated course is its focus on practical topics prescribed fire practitioners encounter in the field. The program covers a range of subjects that support planning, implementation, and risk management throughout the prescribed burn process. Course modules include laws and regulations, smoke management, fuel load estimation, contingency and escape planning, prescribed burn equipment, and mapping a property for prescribed fire.

These topics represent critical components of a successful burn program and provide information that can be applied across a variety of prescribed fire objectives and operating environments.

Strengthening Prescribed Fire Capacity Across Texas
The continued growth of prescribed fire in Texas depends on more than just favorable weather conditions. It requires trained practitioners, informed landowners, and a strong network of professionals who understand both the opportunities and responsibilities associated with using fire as a management tool.

According to Morgan Treadwell, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Professor and Extension Range Specialist, the goal of the course is to provide accessible, relevant training that supports practitioners in the field. Treadwell noted that the course offers science-based information that participants can apply directly to prescribed fire planning and implementation.

This emphasis on practical application aligns with the broader effort to increase prescribed fire capacity across Texas while supporting safe and effective fire use.

Making Professional Development More Accessible
One challenge many fire practitioners face is balancing training requirements with professional and operational responsibilities. Online training options help make continuing education more accessible by allowing participants to complete coursework on their own schedule while still receiving high-quality instruction.

Participants who complete the course receive a certificate of completion and earn six continuing fire training hours recognized by the Texas Department of Agriculture.   For burn managers seeking to maintain certification, as well as natural resource professionals interested in strengthening their understanding of prescribed fire, the course offers a convenient way to stay current while investing in professional development.

Investing in the Future of Good Fire
Effective prescribed fire programs depend on knowledgeable practitioners who understand both the science and application of fire. As Texas continues to address challenges related to woody plant encroachment, wildfire risk, forage management, and ecosystem resilience, continued investment in training will remain an important part of the solution.

Prescribed fire has long been a cornerstone of rangeland stewardship. Building the skills and knowledge of those who use it helps ensure that fire remains a safe, effective, and sustainable management tool for years to come.

Learn More
The updated Continuing Prescribed Fire Training course is available through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. The six-hour self-paced course meets continuing fire training requirements for Texas Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Managers and is available for registration at Updated Continuing Fire Training Course.

Burning From the Ground Up: How Prescribed Burn Associations Are Expanding Fire Across the Great Plains

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Prescribed fire has long been one of the most effective tools for managing woody plant encroachment, improving wildlife habitat, enhancing forage production, and reducing wildfire risk. Yet for many landowners, implementing prescribed fire can seem out of reach due to concerns about labor, equipment, experience, liability, and planning requirements.

Across the Great Plains, Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) are helping overcome those barriers through a simple but powerful concept: neighbors helping neighbors. New research published in the International Journal of Wildland Fire demonstrates that these landowner-led organizations are expanding access to prescribed fire, building local capacity, and making meaningful contributions to rangeland stewardship across the United States.

A Movement Built by Landowners
Prescribed Burn Associations first emerged in the Great Plains in the 1990s to help ranchers gain the education, equipment, training, and support needed to safely implement prescribed fire on private lands. Since then, the model has spread nationwide, with more than 140 PBAs now operating across the country.

Unlike traditional top-down approaches, PBAs are community-led organizations that bring together landowners, volunteers, and natural resource professionals to share knowledge, labor, equipment, and experience. These local networks help reduce costs, increase confidence, and provide opportunities for people to gain hands-on experience using prescribed fire.

The impact of these organizations continues to grow. Survey responses from PBAs across the United States showed that associations collectively conduct an average of 660 prescribed burns across 84,508 acres annually, mobilizing thousands of volunteers to restore fire to ecosystems where it has historically been excluded.

Infographic titled "The Structure and Impact of Great Plains Prescribed Burn Associations" showing survey results, statistics on prescribed burns, and information on managing invasive species. [Read more…] about Burning From the Ground Up: How Prescribed Burn Associations Are Expanding Fire Across the Great Plains

Juniper Management on Texas Rangelands

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Article written by Jacob Court
West Texas Rangelands Intern
Graduate Student – Texas A&M University

With the widespread issue of woody encroachment on the Texas rangelands, the proper management of juniper is crucial. Unfortunately, due to overgrazing and poor land management, much of our rangelands have already been taken over by large juniper trees.

Prescribed fire is a great method to manage juniper when it is utilized correctly. One thing to note is that some juniper like Alligator Juniper (J. deppeana) and Redberry Juniper (J. pinchottii) can resprout from a bud bank beneath the surface. These bud banks make plants more resilient to the effects of burning; although fire can help to kill smaller trees, higher-intensity fires can work to kill larger trees. Even so, other management methods may be more effectively used to try and kill these resprouters. For non-resprouting trees, fire is an effective method throughout the early life cycles. Often, conducting growing season fires will help kill seedlings, preventing more growth while also helping to kill any larger trees. Like with the resprouting trees, more intense fire might be necessary for the removal of any larger non-sprouting trees, and the concern of them recovering from that damage is much less.

A great way to create these high-intensity fires is with the cut-and-stuff method. The idea behind this method is to cut branches off (or gather other fuels) and pile them underneath large juniper trees. This creates a continuous ladder of fuel all the way up the tree. Utilizing this method solves both of the two main issues when trying to burn larger trees: a lack of fuel to catch the tree on fire and not having flames long enough to burn the branches. By letting the flames climb this fuel ladder, we can successfully ignite the entire tree, greatly increasing the effectiveness of our prescribed fire. Some more things to consider when trying to burn juniper are waiting for the fuel beneath the tree to dry out so that it ignites and burns more effectively. It’s also important to put the fuel beneath the upwind side of the tree as this allows the majority of the fire to be blown into the main part of the tree instead of away from it.

While prescribed fire is a great method of juniper control, the implementation of grazing alongside burning can increase the overall effectiveness. Goats are especially good in this sense, as they will target the high-quality new growth from these juniper trees post-fire. The idea behind this method is to have fires in an area to kill off large swaths of juniper and then have the goats graze it afterward. Fire will kill the aboveground sections, allowing for new plants to sprout. Then the goats can target these sprouts, preventing any large-scale regrowth from happening. The utilization of pyric herbivory in this manner is cost-effective and will work for a variety of situations. One issue is still the management of the larger and more developed juniper trees. In these cases, chemical or mechanical methods may be the best strategy.

References
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Managing Texas Juniper with Prescribed Burning
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Managing Juniper (Cedar) with Goats
Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service- Cut and Stuff Practices for Enhancing Cedar Control with Prescribed Fire

Making the Most of Every Bite: How Goats and Cattle Complement One Another on Texas Rangelands

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Across much of Texas, producers are continually looking for ways to improve forage utilization, increase ranch productivity, and manage woody plant encroachment without sacrificing livestock performance. While cattle are the foundation of many ranching operations, growing evidence suggests that adding small ruminants such as goats can provide benefits that extend beyond simply adding another revenue stream.

Research conducted in the Cross Timbers region found that cattle and goats utilize available plants very differently throughout the year, allowing them to occupy distinct feeding niches on the same landscape. The study demonstrated that goats consumed substantially more woody vegetation and forbs than cattle, while cattle relied more heavily on grasses and legumes. This dietary separation is one reason co-grazing systems can be so effective. Lippy et al. (2024), Journal of Animal Science 102:38-39.

Understanding the Grazing Niche
Every grazing animal has evolved to take advantage of different plant resources. Cattle are generally classified as grazers, meaning they prefer grasses and grass-like plants. Their anatomy, grazing behavior, and digestive systems are well-suited for harvesting large amounts of herbaceous forage close to the ground.

Goats, on the other hand, behave more like browsers. Rather than focusing primarily on grasses, they frequently select leaves, twigs, shrubs, vines, and broadleaf plants. Their smaller mouths and unique feeding behavior allow them to be highly selective and utilize vegetation that cattle may largely ignore.

This difference is important because rangelands rarely consist of a single plant type. A healthy landscape often contains a mixture of grasses, forbs, legumes, and woody species. When only one livestock species is present, portions of the available forage resource may remain underutilized, while preferred plants receive disproportionate grazing pressure.

Why Dietary Diversity Matters
The infographic illustrates that cattle and goats shift their diets seasonally while maintaining different forage preferences throughout the year. Those differences allow multiple livestock species to harvest forage from different parts of the plant community rather than directly competing for the same forage resources.

From a ranch management perspective, this creates opportunities to increase overall forage utilization while distributing grazing pressure across a greater variety of plant species. Instead of concentrating consumption on a narrow subset of desirable plants, co-grazing can encourage more balanced use of the landscape.

Research has shown that diverse grazing pressure can influence plant community composition over time. By incorporating animals that utilize different forage types, producers may be able to improve forage distribution and reduce the competitive advantage of less desirable species.

Managing Woody Plant Encroachment
One of the most significant rangeland challenges facing Texas is the expansion of woody plants into grass-dominated ecosystems. Species such as mesquite, juniper, and various brush species can reduce forage production, alter wildlife habitat, and impact water resources.

Traditional brush management tools remain important, but goats can serve as a valuable component of an integrated management strategy. Because goats readily consume many woody plant species, they can apply consistent browsing pressure that complements mechanical and chemical control efforts.

While goats are not a silver bullet for brush management, their dietary preferences allow them to target vegetation that cattle generally avoid. Over time, this additional grazing pressure can help suppress regrowth and provide another tool for managing woody plant expansion.

Improving Drought Resilience
Diverse grazing systems may also improve flexibility during variable forage conditions.

Texas producers are no strangers to drought. During dry periods, forage availability often changes rapidly. Some plant groups decline earlier than others, and livestock that can utilize a broader range of available vegetation may offer additional management options.

Because goats and cattle respond differently to changing forage conditions, co-grazing can help producers access forage resources across multiple plant communities. This flexibility can be particularly valuable when environmental conditions limit the growth of preferred forage species.

Maintaining diverse plant communities and utilizing multiple grazing niches can contribute to the overall resilience of both livestock operations and the rangelands on which they depend.

Looking Beyond Production
The benefits of co-grazing extend beyond forage utilization alone. Many producers find that incorporating multiple livestock species supports broader ranch objectives, including:

  • Improved use of available forage resources
  • Increased management flexibility
  • Enhanced brush management efforts
  • Diversified income opportunities
  • More balanced grazing pressure across plant communities
  • Potential improvements in rangeland condition over time

As with any management practice, successful implementation depends on factors such as fencing, predator management, labor availability, marketing opportunities, and operation-specific goals. However, understanding how different livestock species interact with vegetation can help producers make informed management decisions.

A Rangeland Perspective
One of the most important lessons from this research is that livestock should not simply be viewed as consumers of forage. Different animal species interact with rangelands in unique ways, creating opportunities for managers to influence plant communities through grazing management.

The differences highlighted in the infographic demonstrate why co-grazing has become an important consideration for many Texas producers. By combining grazers and browsers, ranchers may be able to utilize more of the available forage base, address vegetation management challenges, and support healthier, more resilient rangelands.

When cattle and goats are allowed to do what they naturally do best, the result is often a more efficient use of the landscape and a management approach that works with ecological processes rather than against them.

 

Texas Working Lands: What Land Fragmentation Means for the Future of Texas Rangelands

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Texas is known for its wide-open spaces, productive ranches, working farms, and privately owned forests. These working lands support agricultural production, wildlife habitat, water resources, recreation, and rural economies across the state. Today, approximately 139 million acres, or 81% of Texas, remain in privately owned working lands, making private land stewardship one of the most important factors shaping the future of Texas natural resources.

A recent article from the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute highlights a growing challenge facing these landscapes: land fragmentation. Using an updated Texas Land Trends Fragmentation Risk Map, researchers identified areas where farms, ranches, and forests may be most vulnerable to subdivision and conversion in the future. While growth and development are a natural part of a thriving state, understanding where these changes are occurring can help landowners, communities, and conservation partners make informed decisions about the future of Texas working lands.

What Is Land Fragmentation?
Land fragmentation occurs when large properties are divided into smaller ownership parcels, often leading to conversion from agricultural uses to residential, commercial, or other non-agricultural development. While an individual subdivision may seem insignificant on its own, the cumulative impact can fundamentally alter rural landscapes. Fragmentation can reduce the viability of agricultural operations, disrupt wildlife habitat, increase management challenges, and limit opportunities for landscape-scale conservation efforts.

The Texas Land Trends program points to several interconnected drivers of fragmentation, including rapid population growth, rising land values, and changing ownership patterns. As urban areas continue to expand outward, demand for nearby rural land increases. Higher land values can create incentives to subdivide property or convert working lands to other uses, particularly in areas experiencing development pressure.

Texas Continues to Grow
The pressures contributing to fragmentation are closely tied to Texas’ remarkable growth. Between 1997 and 2022, the state’s population increased from 19 million to 30 million residents, a 55% increase. More than 1.7 million people were added during the most recent five-year period alone. The majority of that growth occurred within counties surrounding major metropolitan areas, particularly within the Texas Triangle that connects Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio.

The updated Fragmentation Risk Map reflects these growth patterns, showing elevated fragmentation risk in many counties surrounding major population centers and transportation corridors. The map serves as a decision-support tool that helps identify where future conversion and subdivision pressures may be greatest.

Why This Matters for Texas Rangelands
For ranchers and landowners, fragmentation is about much more than changing property boundaries. Large, intact ranches provide the scale necessary to support productive livestock operations, functioning watersheds, connected wildlife habitat, and many of the conservation practices that sustain healthy rangelands.

Landscape-scale management approaches such as prescribed fire, invasive species control, brush management, wildlife habitat conservation, and grazing management often depend on cooperation across large areas. As ownerships become smaller and more fragmented, coordinating these efforts can become increasingly difficult. Fragmentation can also contribute to habitat fragmentation, increased infrastructure development, and reduced opportunities for long-term stewardship of natural resources.

These challenges are particularly important in Texas, where privately owned lands provide the vast majority of wildlife habitat and support many of the ecosystem services that benefit all Texans.

The Numbers Tell an Important Story
According to the latest Texas Land Trends report, the state lost nearly 3.7 million acres of working lands to non-agricultural uses between 1997 and 2022. More than 1.8 million acres were lost during the most recent five-year reporting period alone. Grazing lands have experienced some of the largest declines, with approximately 6.7 million acres converted to other uses since 1997.

These figures highlight the importance of understanding where future changes may occur and why proactive planning matters. Conservation efforts, succession planning, educational outreach, and support for working lands all play a role in maintaining the farms and ranches that contribute to Texas’ agricultural heritage and economic strength.

Looking Ahead
The updated Texas Land Trends Fragmentation Risk Map is not intended to predict the future with certainty. Instead, it provides a valuable lens through which landowners, conservation organizations, and communities can better understand ongoing changes and identify areas where proactive conversations may be needed. By understanding fragmentation trends today, Texans can make more informed decisions about the stewardship of working lands tomorrow.

As Texas continues to grow, the challenge will be finding ways to balance development with the conservation of the farms, ranches, and forests that define the state’s landscape. The future of Texas rangelands depends not only on how we manage the land, but also on how we retain the large, connected working landscapes that make effective stewardship possible.

Original Source: This article was adapted from “Updated Texas Land Trends map shows where working lands face growing fragmentation risk” by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. Readers can view the original article and explore additional Texas Land Trends resources through the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute.

Fall Weather Update and Winter Weather Preparation

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West Texas Rangelands would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Luke Drosche for collaborating with us and providing this weather update for our readers.  We thank him for sharing his time, talents, and knowledge with us as a guest contributor.  Luke serves with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service as a Disaster Assessment and Recovery Specialist.  

3-Month Precipitation Outlook
After an extremely dry August, we are moving into a wetter seasonal pattern.  While tropical mischief remains in the Gulf, we will see heightened rain chances throughout October before we begin to trend away from Hurricane Season and look towards more cold fronts. Most of Texas is in an equal-chances category for precipitation, with some lucky areas included and a “Leaning Above” category for receiving higher-than-average rainfall.

3-Month Temperature Outlook
Exceedingly hot August temperatures have thoroughly cooked our state, as we have seen all the once-green grass turn brown and become gasoline for wildfires.  Unfortunately, we appear to have a higher chance of recording warmer-than-average temperatures on our thermometers through November.  Does this mean it will not get cold? Absolutely not; we will see some fronts and temperature changes, but we are less likely to see cooler-than-average temperatures through the next three months.  These two NOAA outlooks highlight the trends we will begin to see as we move into an El Niño fall and winter.  See more below in our El Niño discussion.

Drought Update:

The State of Texas saw no relief from drought in August.  Last month, the state had a total of 22.1% of its area in drought.  None of the state was in an exceptional drought category.  Unfortunately, this month has shown a rather drastic change.  57.4% of the State is now in a drought category.  We have seen drying conditions over most of the state, with 2.5% now in Exceptional Drought.  While the 2.5% is not a lot, it is a sign of the seriousness of our drought. Wildfire risk has been extremely dangerous, but hopefully some of that will be mitigated as we should receive some rain over the next few months and certainly will over our winter season.

Winter El Niño and Preparation
More rainfall, potentially some snow, chilly temperatures, and an overall more active weather pattern are what we are expecting beginning in fall and really kicking in for our Winter months.  With strong El Ninos, more winter storms and rainfall occur in the Southern parts of the United States.  Winter Storms are more common along with periods of very cold weather.  This is due to changes in the “Pacific Jet Stream,” which pushes storms through our neck of the woods.

Cooler weather, the potential for winter storms, and the winter season in general mean it is time to start preparing feeding plans and management.  There are some winterizing techniques we can plan now to help prepare us for later.  Now is the time to have plans to make liquid drinking water available if pumps/pipes freeze up and tanks freeze over.  Access to these may also be cut off by ice for farm equipment.  Make sure water access is available to both you, the producer, and your livestock.  Also important is choosing feed that increases body heat without negative side effects during periods of cooler weather.  When choosing different feeding plans, always consult a vet or feed specialist.  During winter weather, having a windbreak in the form of a brush barrier, barns, forests, or embankments can provide some shelter for livestock.  Feeding livestock and providing supplements in these areas help keep cattle concentrated during winter storms.  Winterizing equipment before the cold season is essential for continuity of operations.  Choosing the correct diesel and/or gas additive for your motorized machinery can be accomplished according to the user manual or local mechanic shop technicians.  Wrapping pipes, disconnecting hoses, and warming pumphouses are also part of this winterization.  By ensuring adequate water, food, shelter, and upkeep, your operation can fare the weather better.

*https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/
*https://www.drought.gov/states/texas

Grubbing Mesquite Trees: A Long-Term Brush Management Solution for West Texas

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Article written by Holt Teplicek
West Texas Rangelands Intern
Undergraduate Student – Texas A&M University

Mesquite trees are one of the most persistent brush species found across West Texas rangelands. While they provide some wildlife habitat, dense mesquite infestations compete with desirable grasses for sunlight, soil moisture, and nutrients. Over time, this competition can reduce forage production, limit grazing capacity, and make rangeland management more difficult.

One effective method of controlling mesquite is grubbing, a mechanical practice that removes the entire root crown of the tree. Unlike simply cutting a mesquite tree at ground level, grubbing removes the portion of the root system where new shoots develop. When the root crown is completely removed below the bud zone, the tree is much less likely to resprout, making grubbing a long-term control option.

Grubbing is most effective on small to medium-sized mesquite trees and is commonly performed using hand tools such as grub hoes or specialized grubbing tools. This method is especially useful for treating scattered trees, fence lines, wildlife food plots, and areas where herbicide applications may not be practical or desired.

Timing can also influence success. Grubbing can be performed throughout much of the year, but favorable soil moisture conditions make the job easier by allowing the root crown to be removed more completely. It is important to remove enough of the root crown to prevent regrowth. Leaving any portion of the bud zone behind can allow the tree to resprout.

Removing mesquite provides several benefits for rangeland health. Native grasses and other desirable plants have greater access to water, nutrients, and sunlight, allowing them to establish and produce more forage. Improved grass cover also helps reduce soil erosion, improves rainfall infiltration, and supports healthier wildlife habitat. For livestock producers, increased forage production can lead to improved grazing opportunities and better overall pasture condition.

Although grubbing is an effective tool, it is often most successful when used as part of an integrated brush management program. Depending on the size of the infestation and land management goals, grubbing may be combined with prescribed fire, herbicide applications, proper grazing management, or reseeding efforts to maintain healthy, productive rangelands over the long term.

Every ranch is different, and selecting the best brush management strategy depends on factors such as mesquite density, tree size, labor availability, equipment, and management objectives. Working with your local Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service office can help determine the most effective and economical approach for your operation.

By removing mesquite before it becomes well established, landowners can improve forage production, conserve valuable soil moisture, and promote healthier West Texas rangelands for future generations.

Source: https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/asset-external/brush-management-methods/

Know Your Forage Before Winter: Why Fall Forage Testing Pays Off

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As summer transitions into fall, many ranchers begin taking stock of hay inventories, pasture conditions, and winter feeding plans. While it’s easy to focus on how much forage is available, an equally important question is often overlooked:

What is the quality of the forage you have?
Forage testing is one of the most cost-effective management tools available to livestock producers. A relatively inexpensive analysis can provide valuable information that helps reduce feed costs, improve livestock performance, and support sustainable grazing management throughout the winter months. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension specialists consistently emphasize that successful winter feeding programs begin with knowing the nutrient value of available forage resources.

Why Forage Quality Matters
Winter feeding decisions are often based on assumptions. Hay that appears green and leafy may seem adequate, while coarse or weathered hay may be dismissed as low quality. However, visual appearance is not always a reliable indicator of nutritional value.

Forage quality is influenced by numerous factors, including:

  • Plant species and variety
  • Stage of maturity at harvest
  • Fertility management
  • Rainfall and weathering
  • Leaf-to-stem ratio
  • Harvest and storage conditions

As a result, nutrient levels can vary significantly between hay cuttings, fields, and even bales harvested from the same operation.

Without testing, producers are left guessing about the protein and energy content being delivered to their livestock.

Hay bales sit alongside a farm road. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

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