Friday, March 13, 2009 at 11:50 a.m.
Read more: State, Economy, Agriculture, Texas, Cattle, Drought
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS (AP) -- Texas agriculture officials say ranchers in the nation's largest cattle-producing state have already lost nearly $1 billion because of the ongoing drought.
Officials said Friday that cattle raisers have lost $829 million since last summer, $569 million of that since November.
Recent rains, though welcome, came too late. Ranchers have spent substantial money on hay and supplemental feed, and the drought losses also include failed wheat crops usually used for grazing.
The U.S. Drought Monitor Map says all of Texas is in some stage of drought for the second straight week.
(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
