Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Herds are hurting: Extreme drought may put ranchers out of business
Wichita Falls (TX) Times Record News ^ | July 13, 2011 | Lynn Walker

Posted on 07/17/2011 12:06:07 PM PDT by re_nortex

Wichita Falls has exceeded 100-degree highs 39 of the past 40 days. There was a string of 100-plus degree days before that. By this date in a normal year, Wichita Falls would have received about 16 inches of rain. This year it has been just over 3 inches. Forecasters are not optimistic about substantial rain between now and September.

Wichita County Extension agent Fred Hall said he has talked to old-timers who remember the severe droughts of 1956 and 1980. They recall those droughts started later in the year and there was residual moisture in the ground to help forage.

"There's simply no moisture bank this year," Hall said.

(Excerpt) Read more at m.timesrecordnews.com ...


TOPICS: Agriculture; Food; Weather
KEYWORDS: cattle; drought; texas; wichitafalls
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-60 next last

1 posted on 07/17/2011 12:06:18 PM PDT by re_nortex
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: re_nortex
The drought is hurting the wildlife badly. I have seen several deer and bobcats in town this month and I have never seen a deer in this county in 20 years.

They are being driven toward the population centers looking for food and water.

It's bad out there, but it's a dry heat ☺

2 posted on 07/17/2011 12:09:20 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex
In spite of the relentless heat and lack of rain, several of the comments are inspiring and typical of the can-do spirit and faith of Texans:

I believe the answer is to get on our knees and pray to the One who can solve this problem for us, Allmighty God!

Personally I refuse to quit. I will hang on, pray and believe God will lead us through this.

We need to hang together and help each other out, that's what makes us special!

As for the people that have no idea what kind of sacrifices ranchers make year round in order to put food on the table for their families, you couldn't walk a mile in their shoes. They are just doing what ever it takes to make a living and my hat goes off to them...GOD BLESS TEXAS

3 posted on 07/17/2011 12:11:34 PM PDT by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

I just drove past a creek bed a few min ago and the vegetation along the banks was dead and dying.

Cottonwoods are dropping their leaves as if it was autumn.


4 posted on 07/17/2011 12:11:50 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

The mesquite beans are just about gone and the prickly pear will will be eaten up soon.


5 posted on 07/17/2011 12:12:47 PM PDT by Deaf Smith
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

How does 0bama do it?

Seems we’ve had nothing but one crisis after another
since he took over our lives.

One does wonder if the anti-Christ is close by.


6 posted on 07/17/2011 12:12:47 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.. VOTE out the RATS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

It almost makes you wish for a weak hurricane or tropical storm to push inland at the Texas coast...something with a lot of rain and not so much wind to dump a few inches of rain at least. Wouldn’t end the drought but could at least save what’s left.


7 posted on 07/17/2011 12:14:04 PM PDT by RockinRight (If we're "teabaggers" then they're "d-baggers.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight

That wont happen until at least Sept


8 posted on 07/17/2011 12:16:23 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: mylife
I'm Not Your Horse
9 posted on 07/17/2011 12:18:08 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Hawk)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: mylife
There's more wildlife here because the river is bringing them in. They're having to move into more human populated areas where there's greener vegetation to eat. My neighbor has had 4 fawns born in their yard because of the soft green lawn. No lawn watering ban here like other places around Texas because we're in the country and have private wells.

Wouldn't you know, my freezer is full and now meat prices are going down. Going to have to make some decisions.

10 posted on 07/17/2011 12:18:08 PM PDT by bgill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex


11 posted on 07/17/2011 12:18:25 PM PDT by thackney (life is fragile, handle with prayer)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

Isn’t that one of the reasons the Texas longhorn was once common?


12 posted on 07/17/2011 12:20:50 PM PDT by cripplecreek (Remember the River Raisin! (look it up))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bgill
Send any venison steaks you don't want to me "mylife makes a mean venison steak with peppercorn sauce and wild rice @Freerepublic.com" ☺
13 posted on 07/17/2011 12:23:13 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: HiTech RedNeck

A sad southern lament.


14 posted on 07/17/2011 12:24:38 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: thackney

My county is split yellow/orange.
I guess we are damn lucky so far.


15 posted on 07/17/2011 12:26:26 PM PDT by mylife (OPINIONS ~ $ 1.00 HALFBAKED ~ 50c)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

I’ve got a bucket of water I keep full, in the woods in front of the house. The critters are becoming very anxious, and it’s the least I can do.

It’s bad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so dry.


16 posted on 07/17/2011 12:27:35 PM PDT by SuzyQue
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: re_nortex

When Katrina hit New Orleans, one deranged liberal talker was claiming that the Evil Bush steered the hurricane toward New Orleans.
Why not pin the drought on Barry Dunham since he hates Texas.


17 posted on 07/17/2011 12:31:16 PM PDT by Fred Hayek (FUBO, the No Talent Pop Star pResident.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RockinRight; mylife; SuzyQue
It almost makes you wish for a weak hurricane or tropical storm to push inland at the Texas coast...something with a lot of rain and not so much wind to dump a few inches of rain at least. Wouldn’t end the drought but could at least save what’s left.

Earlier this week, I read that people are avoiding outdoor swimming pools in Oklahoma City because the water is just too warm.

"The area pools are not crowded because the water is so warm, jumping into it is like jumping into bath water," said Damon Lane, meteorologist at ABC News affiliate KOCO in Oklahoma City.

Caution is advised with blue-green algae and bacteria that thrive in stagnant lake water.

18 posted on 07/17/2011 12:32:50 PM PDT by re_nortex (DP...that's what I like about Texas.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: mylife

Most likely, but a couple have hit TX in July and August before.


19 posted on 07/17/2011 12:33:09 PM PDT by RockinRight (If we're "teabaggers" then they're "d-baggers.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: SuzyQue

C’mon hurricane season!


20 posted on 07/17/2011 12:33:16 PM PDT by RockinRight (If we're "teabaggers" then they're "d-baggers.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-60 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson