Texan farmers suffered through a drought of record proportions last year, and the recent estimates place the total crop and livestock loss at roughly $7.2 billion in revenue, according to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
The year is the worst drought on record for the state, topping the previous record from 2006. That year only caused $4.1 billion in damages.
"No one alive has seen single-year drought damage to this extent," said Dr. Travis Miller, AgriLife Extension agronomist and a member of the Governor’s Drought Preparedness Council. "Texas farmers and ranchers are not strangers to drought, but the intensity of the drought, reflected in record high temperatures, record low precipitation, unprecedented winds coupled with duration – all came together to devastate production agriculture."
Fortunately, it doesn't appear that Texans will have the same issues to deal with this year. The Austin American-Statesman recently reported that drought-free land in Texas has risen above 10 percent for the first time in more than a year, signalling that farmers may have some more fertile land this year.
Those planning to plant crops should be sure they have the right equipment, like tractors, combines and dump trailers. IronPlanet offers a broad range of equipment that can get the job done at an affordable price.
