drought contents

TEXAS DROUGHT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

Summer 1998 (Aug. 1, 1998 Revision) Texas Agricultural Extension Service • Edward A. Hiler, Director The Texas A&M University System • College Station, Texas

TEXAS DROUGHT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

This packet of information on drought impacts was prepared by the following faculty with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the Texas A&M University System:

David H. Bade, Professor and Extension Forage Specialist

Brent Bean, Associate Professor and Extension Agronomist

Stanley Bevers, Assistant Professor and Extension Economist -- Management

Edith A. Chenault, Associate Editor and Extension Communications Specialist

Cloyce G. Coffman, Associate Professor and Extension Agronomist

Gerald Cornforth, Extension Economist-Management

B. Frank Craddock, Professor and Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist

Frank Dainello, Professor and Extension Horticulturist

James M. Davis, Bell County Extension Agent-AG(PL,COORD)

James T. Davis, Professor and Extension Fisheries Specialist (Retired)

Alan D. Dreesen, Associate Department Head; Associate Professor and Extension Program Leader for Forestry

Richard L. Duble, Professor

William A. Dugas, Jr., Professor and Agricultural Meteorology

Lawrence L. Falconer, Assistant Professor and Extension Economist-Management

Floron C. Faries, Jr., Associate Professor and Extension Program Leader for

Veterinary Medicine

Guy Fipps, Associate Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer (Irrigation and Water Management)

John F. Harris, Dawson County Extension Agent

Ronald J. Gill, Associate Professor and Extension Livestock Specialist

Margaret Hale, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences

B. L. Harris, Associate Director for Agricultural Sciences; Professor

Charles R. Hart, Assistant Professor and Extension Range Specialist

Dennis B. Herd, Professor and Extension Beef Cattle Specialist-Nutrition

Jason L. Johnson, Assistant Professor and Extension Economist

Ellen R. Jordan, Professor, Extension Dairy Specialist

Wayne R. Jordan, Professor, Director of Texas Water Resources Institute

David E. Kight, Howard County Extension Agent

Roland D. Lacewell, Assistant Vice Chancellor -- Ag Economics

Linda Ladd, Associate Professor and Extension Family Life Specialist

Truman E. Lamb, Jr., Anderson County Extension Agent

Robert Lemon, Assistant Professor and Extension Agronomist

Terry A. Lockamy, District Extension Director -- Agriculture

Rick Machen, Assistant Professor and Extension Livestock Specialist

James M. McGrann, Professor and Extension Economist-Management

Travis D. Miller, Professor and Extension Agronomist-Small Grain and Soybeans

Jaroy Moore, Resident Director, TAES

Charles W. Neeb, District Extension Director-Agriculture

Joe L. Outlaw, Assistant Professor and Extension Economist-Management

Bob Robinson, District Extension Director-Agriculture

Dale Rollins, Associate Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist

E. Yolanda Scrivner-Morado, Starr County Extension Agent

Jackie G. Smith, Professor and Extension Economist-Management

Roland D. Smith, Associate Department Head; Professor and Extension Program Leader

for Agricultural Economics

Larry A. Stein, Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist

E. Max Sudweeks, Professor, Extension Dairy Specialist

James Supak, Associate Department Head; Professor and Extension Program Leader for Soil and Crop Sciences

Gene R. Taylor II, Assistant Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist

M. Kathleen Volanty, District Extension Director -- Family and Consumer Sciences

Douglas F. Welch, Associate Professor and Extension Horticulturist

Kyle Smith, Assistant Director for Family and Consumer Sciences

Lynn B. White, Professor and Extension Family Economics Specialist

M. Lin Wilson, District Extension Director-Agriculture

S. Rex Youngblood, County Extension Agent-AG(PL,COORD)

FACING THE DROUGHT

Without substantial rains, this year's drought may be a worse disaster for Texas agriculture than the severe drought of 1996. No amount of scientific knowledge can make up for the lack of rain and the resultant depletion of water in our soil profiles, and in our ground and surface water supplies. This text was developed by specialists with the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and others to provide alternatives and information that might reduce further losses to the beleaguered Texas agricultural industry. It also addresses water conservation in measures that can be implemented by urban residents as cities and municipalities face declining supplies of water and are forced to implement water rationing. The Texas Agricultural Extension Service has access to many resources which can reduce water usage and reduce losses associated with the drought. This text attempts to cover some of the many drought related topics.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

AG ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT

Drought Impact on Agriculture in the Billions of Dollars

Cow-Calf Get Out Of Business Now or Later Analysis

Credit Factors to Consider Under Drought Conditions

Income Tax Aspects of Weather-Related Conditions

Summary of Weather-Related Sales Rules for Livestock

Crop Insurance and Disaster Payments

LIVESTOCK AND RANGE

Cattle Market Situation and Drought Strategies

Competing Meat Supplies

Beef Demand