Texas Cattle Industry Suffers as a Result of Drought and Heat

Posted: August 16, 2023 3:00 pm

The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor is not painting a promising picture in Texas. The dry conditions are pairing with the heat to create problems for the state’s important cattle industry. Here is the latest on this situation and when you can expect to see some relief.

Texas Battles Exceptional Drought Conditions

According to the data from August 8, approximately 86% of the Lone Star State was dealing with some level of drought conditions. This includes more than 3,000 square miles that are under the designation of an exceptional drought, the highest possible level assigned by this agency.

The combination of the heat and the dry conditions is more than just a nuisance for residents. As the leading producer of beef in the U.S., the Texas cattle industry has suffered greatly this summer because of the extreme weather.

Not only does this reduction in production impact the cost of beef but it also affects the price of milk. All of this is eventually passed down to consumers, resulting in the higher prices that you may be experiencing at your local grocery store.

This is the second summer in a row that Texas has been grappling with severe drought conditions. The drought of 2022 destroyed pastures that the cows need for food. Ranchers were forced to sell over 2.66 million cattle over the course of the year because of a lack of available resources to properly care for the animals. This figure was a substantial increase from the year before.

August is typically the hottest and driest month of the year in Texas. It is not unusual for ranchers to have to thin their herds during this time period. However, the thinning has been more noticeable this year because of the powerful combination of the heat and a lack of moisture.

Understanding the Cycle of Drought and Heat

Unfortunately, heat and dry conditions tend to go hand in hand. This is because the sun does not have to work as hard to heat the air if the ground is dry. Wet ground means that a good portion of the sun’s energy is directed toward the evaporating moisture. Without that evaporation coming up off of the ground, more of the sun’s energy will circulate in the air and bring the temperature up.

This weather pattern creates a cycle of heat and drought that can be difficult to break. The cycle is what is responsible for the pervasive heat dome that has been anchored over the south-central U.S. for much of the summer.

The high pressure system currently in place has been acting as a barrier and preventing tropical moisture from making its way from the Gulf of Mexico into Texas. This has resulted in the never-ending cycle of heat and dryness.

Looking Ahead to the Long-Range Forecast

There is no immediate relief in the short-term forecast for Texas. For instance, Houston is predicted to remain in the triple digits through at least the weekend. This is well above the historical average for this time of the year.

However, hurricane watchers are keeping a close eye on a potential tropical system that could develop in the Gulf of Mexico later next week. Should this come to fruition, the system could make its way to the north and work to break up the heat dome. This is reflected in the long-range forecast that is calling for a slight chance of rain for Houston to start the new week.

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