“We’re just not producing the forages,” said Clint Perkins, Smith County Agriculture Agent.
“Some of them are having to supplement their cows right now.
So that’s digging into their back pocket and into the bottom line.” Perkins said the effects of the drought started long before the heat of the summer.
“We did not have the subsoil moisture from the winter and early spring rains to kick start out first cutting of hay," said Perkins.
A growing number of ranchers and farmers are now being forced to trim their livestock or even sell them.
Tyler rancher Scott Herod is just one of the many Texas ranchers feeling the effects of the bone-dry conditions.
“We had substantial rainfall.
But this year we’re obviously experiencing a drought.” Herod said he’s not feeling the worst of the effects because of his rotational pasture management techniques.
His ranch only grazes one cow per 4-5 acres.
This allows them to better withstand the drought.