YOUR TEXAS AGRICULTURE MINUTE

Pray for rain

By Gene Hall

Dry. Bone dry.

As we head into spring—normally the wettest time of year—parts of Texas remain parched with rainfall deficits of up to six inches since the first of the year.

That poses significant challenges for the state’s farmers and ranchers. Cities, too, when you consider surface water sources are literally drying up in the face of three years of abnormally dry weather.

The drought has been especially severe in Texas, where economists estimate more than $7.6 million in lost revenue over the last 36 months. With low moisture, crops and pastures are ruined and wildfires are fueled. Ranchers are forced to severely cut their herds and the price of beef goes up.

As we continue through this spring, the eyes of Texans continually scan the horizon, searching for that cloud bank that spells relief for a dry, dry land. Until then, Texans can work to conserve and preserve this precious resource.

And join together to pray for rain. Plentiful water is a bond that draws us all together.

The preceding commentary is brought to you by Texas Farm Bureau, the “Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Called “Your Texas Agriculture Minute,” TFB will issue thought-provoking editorials each week—via print and audio—to spark understanding of agriculture in the Lone Star State and its impact on each and every Texan.

You may read this week’s editorial below or listen to the audio version.

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