Texas Drought Costing Ag $1.2 Billion

Preliminary estimates of Texas drought losses have reached $1.2 billion and are expected to escalate higher this year as livestock producers continue to sell off herds and crop conditions deteriorate, according to economists with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

“Each day without rainfall is one in which crop and livestock losses mount,” said Dr. David Anderson, AgriLife Extension livestock economist. “Even with the severity of the current drought, estimation of economic losses is difficult given that we are still early in the growing season.”

“Livestock losses due to drought are an estimated $1.2 billion from November 2010 through May. Those losses include increased feeding costs and lost value of wheat pasture grazing,” Anderson said.

“Texas is the largest beef cow producing state in the U.S. with more than 5 million head,” Anderson said. “More than 90 percent of the state’s beef cows are located in counties categorized as being in severe to exceptional drought.”

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor FarmEquip.org/drought_info indicates 100 percent of the state with at least abnormally dry conditions and 82% classified in extreme and exceptional drought. ◆