Drought Conditions Easing

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor and Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the drought continued to recede in Texas with less than 14% of the state rated as being in an exceptional or extreme drought. Farmers’ optimism rose in many areas as soil-moisture levels improved, making hay harvest possible, improving pastures and rangeland, and bettering the chances for spring plantings to be successful.

“Producers are jumping for joy after all this rain,” said Raymond Quigg, AgriLife Extension agent for Upton County, south of Odessa. “The ranchers have seen the country start to green up a little. Farmers are ready to plant seed ASAP.”