A devastating drought tightened its grip on Texas over the last week with more than half the state now suffering the most extreme level of drought measured by climatologists. A report released Thursday from a consortium of national climate experts said over the last week, Texas saw the highest levels of drought — rated as "exceptional" — jump from 43.97 percent of the state to 50.65 percent of the state. Meanwhile, to the north in Oklahoma, another key farming and ranching state, about 30 percent of the state continued to suffer severe and exceptional drought levels. The drought conditions have ravaged the region, sparking thousands of wildfires, drying up grazing land needed for cattle, and ruining thousands of acres of wheat and other crops.Texas farmers and ranchers have already lost an estimated $1.5 billion, and officials said if the drought continues into June, losses for the nation's second largest agriculture producer will top $4 billion, making it the costliest season on record.
Source Site: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43253865/ns/weather/
Unfortunately for farmers in Texas, that is just not the location to be growing crops this year it looks like. That will hurt them quite a bit considering they've already lost about 1.5 mil. I would hate to be loosing that much money as a farmer considering the gas prices so high and the amount of fuel they have to purchase, they cant afford to be loosing that much money. Farming can be a risky process that's for sure. Because their income is based on the weather in some cases. Just like this year for Minnesota, it was snowing very late during the year. Keeping the ground frozen.
Picture Citation: http://www.texarkanagazette.com/content/uploads/pictures/2010/12/Southern%20Drought%20Farm_Cust.jpg
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