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.
Higher tariffs may shield some U.S. crops but risk retaliation, lost markets, and higher costs for growers. The WTO disputes highlight the fragile balance between trade policy, farm exports, and input supply chains.
September 22, 2025 12:39 PM
·
Record U.S. sorghum crop faces weak demand as China slashes imports, while corn farmers warn of rising costs, shrinking margins, and global market pressures.
September 22, 2025 11:46 AM
·
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the state of agribusiness and harvest progress across each region of the United States for the week of Monday, September 22, 2025.
September 22, 2025 10:21 AM
·
Ethanol producers face a widening opportunity window as aviation and marine fuel markets expand, with the potential to add billions in demand if policy and certification align.
September 19, 2025 02:42 PM
·
Corn and beef exports showed strong momentum, cotton sales surged, and soybean sales held steady, though China remains absent from the U.S. market.
September 18, 2025 04:43 PM
·
Cheaper freight is helping exports move, especially corn, but weaker soybean demand looms large.
September 18, 2025 04:37 PM
·