Drought

Much of the Southwest is suffering through a prolonged drought that has reduced crop production potential, forced livestock producers to liquidate herds and spawned wildfires that have burned millions of acres across the region. Some areas have gone for almost a year without appreciable rainfall. Articles will keep readers updated on drought conditions and methods of coping with moisture stress.

May 22, 2012

Article

Drought recedes, but conditions still dicey in some regions

The drought continued to recede in Texas with less than 14 percent of the state rated as being in an exceptional or extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor and Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel....More
May 8, 2012

Article

State climatologist: East Texas in surprisingly good condition

What’s surprising in early May is not that West Texas is so dry but that the eastern half of the state is in relatively good condition, said Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, state climatologist and regents professor at Texas A&M University....More
May 7, 2012

Article

State, federal authorities prepare for active fire season across Southwest

Government officials making preparation for another active fire season, hoping the preparations won't be necessary....More
May 1, 2012

Article

The ‘D-word’ being whispered in parts of the Texas, shouted in others

Though the overall percentage of the state under moderate to extreme drought has continually dropped since September 2011, producers are beginning to worry that 2012 could be a repeat performance, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service personnel....More
Apr. 26, 2012

Article

Peanut agronomists share forecasts for 2012

At the recent spring conference of the American Peanut Shellers Association, held in Albany, Ga., University of Georgia Extension peanut agronomist John Beasley shared the results of a recent questionnaire submitted to U.S. peanut agronomists asking them for their thoughts and comments on the upcoming production year....More
Apr. 18, 2012

Article

Limited water resource will change Texas agriculture

Travis Miller jokes about his work as a member of the Texas Governor’s Drought Preparedness Council and as the “go-to-guy” for media questions about drought and wildfire. “I’ve done a good job with this drought,” he says, tongue tucked firmly in his cheek. He also knows that drought is a serious concern as a good part of the state remains dry going into or well into planting season....More
Apr. 10, 2012

Article

Wheat better than anyone dared hoped in some areas

Much of Texas wheat looks better than anyone expected a few months ago, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service agronomist....More
Apr. 5, 2012

Article

Droughts reign as deadliest weather disasters

The deadliest weather disasters are droughts followed by famines. During 2011, 820 natural catastrophes were documented around the world, resulting in 27,000 deaths and $380 billion in economic losses...More
Mar. 27, 2012

Article

AgriLife agronomist: It’s a mixed bag

Many parts of the state continued to receive heavy rains, bringing them completely out of the drought. Other areas were not so fortunate, said a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert...More
Mar. 26, 2012

Article

La Nina fading, outlook improving for SW

Paul Yura, with the National Weather Service, San Antonio and Austin, says predictions of continued widespread drought into this summer appear to have missed the mark. Back in February, Yura spoke at a Bayer CropScience Crop Consultant’s Conference in San Antonio and indicated that much of the Southwest was still in line for “persistent drought,” into summer....More