As of last week, 88 percent of Texas was suffering from drought conditions. Rainfall in March was below normal for most of the state, and it looks like conditions in West Texas are getting worse. The last time the state experienced a drought like this, it caused $7 billion in crop damages.
Drought also damages crops and pastures and can cause widespread loss. Currently, farmers are having problems getting spring crops established. Livestock producers are having issues getting hay.
“Drought, it’s going to have a huge impact on crop production for a lot of our crops that can reduce yield, It can potentially delay harvesting, or just can add a lot of challenges,” said Vanessa Corriher-Olson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension forage specialist. “For livestock producers, when we have drought conditions, that obviously decreases forage production, so that can increase their demand for hay or needing to feed their animals with supplementation.”
Published 4/6/2022. Read the article.