Water allocation to farmers takes a big hit as drought worsens in the Borderland
EL PASO, Texas Two entities across different states will distribute water from the Rio Grande to farmers in the region.
New Mexico will distribute far less than Texas and it all has to do because of severe drought conditions plaguing the area.
Gary Esslinger, the general manager for the Elephant Butte Irrigation District which oversees all water allotment for Doña Ana County, told ABC-7 that it s going to be a tough year for New Mexico farmers.
Esslinger explained, This year our farmers will get a 4-inch allotment. Under a normal release they would get close to 3 acre feet.
Stronger-than-normal seasonal demand for beef is driving fed cattle prices upward, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.
Seasonal beef demand historically rises in the spring, especially leading up to grilling season, which kicks off Memorial Day, said David Anderson, AgriLife Extension economist, Bryan-College Station. But this year, demand is higher as Americans and the economy emerge from a year-long pandemic.
Anderson said the run-up in fed cattle prices and in the wholesale market reflects the overall economic mood in the nation and globally. Economic momentum is increasing as Americans continue to gain confidence that the COVID-19 pandemic is largely in the rear view.