(November 24, 2008)--San Antonio-area rancher Debbie Davis usually sees green clover and winter grasses across her pastures this time of year, but this fall she’s seeing sees only yellowing fields and she fears further dry conditions might raise the risk of wildfires, such as the small one that broke out near her spread a few days ago.
Even though rains from three hurricanes soaked Texas this year, nearly half the state remains in drought, which heightens fire concerns and threatens cattle herds in need of green grazing areas.
Assistant State Climatologist Brent McRoberts says the drought is expected to continue or intensify in South Central Texas, which might seem strange in an area that's not all that far from where hurricanes Ike, Gustav and Dolly hit, but McRoberts says many areas not directly in the storm's path didn't get enough rain this year.
Parts of Texas have been in at least moderate drought for a year, and about 41 percent is in some stage of drought.
The San Antonio and Austin area have been hardest hit.
About 20 surrounding counties are also experiencing extreme drought conditions.
There, drought spells trouble for winter forage for cattle.
Texas is the nation's leading cattle producing state and the South Central region's home to most of the state's cattle.
Each county in the region averages more than 25,000 mother-cows.
Drought means they're being sold earlier than usual.
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