Ponds drying up, forage production down near Winnie, Texas
9/6/2023 12:01:39 AM
CATEGORIES:
Agriculture
Plants & Wildlife
Water Supply & Quality
AFFECTED AREAS:
Chambers County, TX
Jefferson County, TX
Rusk County, TX
Overton, TX
Start Date: 8/27/2023
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Ponds on a horse ranch near Winnie have dried up for the first time that a 79-year-old rancher can remember. The ponds were being cleaned out to improve the capacity of the ponds when the rain does return. In the meantime, he waters livestock with tubs and buckets of water. The water bill has doubled amid the drought as he waters the animals with city water.
Drought has also caused a decrease in forage production. Hay production was insufficient for the coming winter so livestock were being sold or transferred to better pasture in another state for the winter. Area ranchers were also turning to a program that offers financial support to offset costs for feed, hay or water to help sustain the cattle. The producer already sold his calves to lower stress on the cows as the suckling requires extra nutrients.
Beaumont Enterprise (Texas), Aug 27, 2023
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