Texas Farmers Reset After Fires as Drought Continues In Farm Country

Power lines are being blamed for starting the largest wildfire in Texas history. The blazes have burned thousands of acres, area ranchers have estimated several thousand cattle have been killed, and dozens of structures were destroyed in the Lone Star states panhandle.

Bill Martin, Manager, Lonestar Stockyards: “If we get adequate rain on top of this and we don't have a lot of soil erosion, then the grass will respond really quickly. You know, they might have grazing this season, but for the next couple months, you know, they're going to have to feed them every bite they eat.”

The dry conditions making those fires possible is symptomatic of the rest of the nation where just over 47 percent of the Continental U.S. remains gripped by drought. Recent rains in the west and southeast have helped reset the clock but other regions continue to be abnormally dry.

Some farmers in the Grain Belt are already working the ground. Iowa’s soil temperatures are warmer than the five year average for this week. Only one other time since 2000 has the soil been in the low to mid-40s statewide and that was 2017. 

An active weather pattern is forecast for the Southeast with winds, rain and tornadoes expected this weekend. 

For Market to Market, I’m David Miller.