DEWITT COUNTY, TEXAS (RFD NEWS) — Spring planting is underway in many parts of the country, but for farmers dealing with ongoing drought and water shortages in Texas, the season begins with uncertainty. The Texas Farm Bureau introduces us to Dewitt County farmer Chad Hahn, who says dry conditions remain one of the biggest challenges as he prepares for another year in the field.
“A little bit of rain would go a heck of a lot further right now, which is what we’ve been dealing with for so many years,” Hahn said. “You just don’t know when that next rain is going to be.”
Despite the ongoing struggle, Hahn says his outlook remains steady after nearly three decades in agriculture.
“My first crop was in 1997, almost 30 years now,” he continued. “Once you start doing something like this, it’s in your blood. Maybe next year, maybe this year is going to be the good year.”
Hahn is also part of a growing number of producers using no-till practices across the state. According to USDA data, roughly 2.5 million acres in Texas are now farmed using no-till methods, accounting for nearly 10 percent of the state’s cropland.
Farm debt is climbing to record levels at ag banks, reflecting pressure on crop producers’ finances even as livestock and land values lend stability to the sector.
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