Texas weather has been record breaking this year. High temperatures and dry forecasts have put some parts of the state into the worst drought of the century. As the seat of Lavaca County, Hallettsville, TX has been hit hard. In a place of less than three-thousand residents, this small town relies on cattle and crops for income. No rain means no hay, no hay means starving cattle, and starving cattle means low income.
As c
attle are being exported to other states with better weather, hay is being imported down. Driving through the country-side of ‘the cow county,’ cattle trailers can be seen heading north and hay trailers can be seen heading south. Hallettsville resident Randy Renken says prices are lower than they’ve been in a while. “Unhealthy feeder cattle are going for 65 cents a pound and healthy feeder cattle are going for 90 cents a pound. This is why Northerners are taking advantage,” Renken said.
Farmer Ronnie Holcom says agriculture during a drought is tough. “People find ways to make ends meet though. For instance, the corn harvest didn’t make so we made a little back selling corn s
talk bails to ranchers,” Holcom said.
Tanks are going dry and pastures are turning brown. Lavaca County cowboys have no choice but to head to the auction barn with their herd. Even though selling out is a last resort, many ranchers had no other option. Hallettsville rancher John Pucirella expects the weather to change soon though. “As we all know, we rely on rain down here. I wish no harm to people near the coast but we need the rain to stay a float. Hurricane season is coming up and the weather should turn to our favor,” Pucirella said.
As c
attle are being exported to other states with better weather, hay is being imported down. Driving through the country-side of ‘the cow county,’ cattle trailers can be seen heading north and hay trailers can be seen heading south. Hallettsville resident Randy Renken says prices are lower than they’ve been in a while. “Unhealthy feeder cattle are going for 65 cents a pound and healthy feeder cattle are going for 90 cents a pound. This is why Northerners are taking advantage,” Renken said.Farmer Ronnie Holcom says agriculture during a drought is tough. “People find ways to make ends meet though. For instance, the corn harvest didn’t make so we made a little back selling corn s
talk bails to ranchers,” Holcom said.Tanks are going dry and pastures are turning brown. Lavaca County cowboys have no choice but to head to the auction barn with their herd. Even though selling out is a last resort, many ranchers had no other option. Hallettsville rancher John Pucirella expects the weather to change soon though. “As we all know, we rely on rain down here. I wish no harm to people near the coast but we need the rain to stay a float. Hurricane season is coming up and the weather should turn to our favor,” Pucirella said.
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