Texas Drought Losses Top $8 Billion

The news was unwelcome, but hardly unexpected when the Texas AgriLife Extension Service recently reported 2011 Texas agricultural losses of $7.62 billion attributed to the recent historical drought, plus an additional $558 million from standing timber losses.

When you’re one of the top agricultural producing states in the nation, you not only supply food and fiber to our population, but are a major exporter around the country and globe. Retail food prices to consumers have increased due to the lower domestic supply and increased global demand.  Right here at home, the damage this has caused to family farms and communities cannot be overstated.  It was a punishing blow, but Texas agricultural producers have proved time and again they won’t go down without a fight.

To view news coverage of the drought loss reports, go here.