Climate

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Drought, wildfires, and extreme weather — is this the new normal for Texas?

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October 25, 2011

Why the Drought Hasn’t Destroyed Texas Farming

The record single-year drought afflicting Texas farmers had destroyed crops, decimated yields, and caused prices to rise. The obvious question: How will the farmers survive? Enter USDA crop insurance, a lifeline during this year’s drought: More than 41,000 distressed Texas farmers have received $1.65 billion so far from the national crop insurance program to help compensate […]

October 18, 2011

When Wells Run Dry, Witching for Water

As the drought shows few signs of abating, some folks in Abilene are turning to less conventional means of finding water, according to the Los Angeles Times: Powell, 59, learned to dowse for water more than 40 years ago from an old “water witcher” known simply as Mr. Ray. Now Powell runs a dowsing and […]

October 17, 2011

During Drought, “Hoping for the Best, Preparing for the Worst”

The current drought is wreaking havoc on crops, cattle and lawns. A five-part series in the Statesman this week looks at the extreme effects this dry period is having on Texans across the state. The hardest hit? Farmers and ranchers, with a total economic agricultural loss estimated to be $8.7 billion, according to the Texas […]

October 14, 2011

The Drought: Coming Soon to a Peanut Butter Near You

It’s a little known fact: Texas is the only state that grows all four types of peanuts, and is second only to Georgia in peanut farming. Unfortunately, this year’s extreme drought is taking a toll on West Texas peanut farmers. Calvin Trostle is with Texas A&M Agrilife Extension in Lubbock, where most Texas peanuts are […]

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