Disasters and Agriculture

February was tough weather wise on lots of us with extremely cold days and lots of snow. However, agriculture producers face weather disasters on what seems to be a yearly basis. Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes, and tornadoes challenge agricultural production in unique ways. Since agriculture relies on climate, weather, and water; the impact of natural events and disasters may be long lasting.

Many in Texas recently suffered the effects of freezing temperatures from no electricity for heat to frozen pipes; however, consider the rancher’s dilemma of having to keep livestock from freezing to death on the open range. Animals still need access to food and water. Ranchers can’t say “I’ll tend to livestock later”. They must go out in the freezing elements to provide food or break ice so animals can drink fresh water.

The slow melting snows of January and February will help combat the long-standing droughts for West Texas. Drought is the most common weather-related disaster that producers in Howard County must face. Once cotton is planted, lots of prayers and eyes are turned to the heavens for the right timing of rain needed for the germination of the seeds. No moisture or rain arriving too late in the season means the plants will not thrive. Too much rain can wash away seeds or damage matured cotton bolls before the crop can be harvested. Hurricane Harvey in 2017 created floods hitting agriculture producers hard in the south and coastal areas as well as the cities like Houston. While news casts concentrated on the losses of city homes and the charitable actions of volunteers across the Lone Star State and beyond, agricultural producers helped to roundup cattle, rescued stranded livestock and savage what they could of crops. Such “band of brothers” actions are not uncommon for producers. Cotton farmers will hear of a fellow farmer becoming ill or hurt in an accident, and they will bring in the crop of that producer to help him through the tough times.

Fire is another possible disaster especially related to long occurring drought conditions. Howard County may not have the large forest fires, but grassfires can wipe out acres and acres of plant life along with equipment, structures including fencing, and livestock on that land. Of course, the land will heal in time with some plants benefitting from the renewal that takes place after a fire. However, the loss of equipment, fencing, livestock, and the time it takes to heal can be costly to the producer.

Of the four elements, earth, fire, wind, and water, one West Texas never seems to be without is wind. The winds that blow in our region have long powered windmills helping