By Emmy Powell
Communications Specialist

The area of the state impacted by drought has decreased for several weeks, and those recent rains have helped sheep producers.

Rodney Kott, Gillespie County sheep producer, said conditions are improving.

“Until the last several weeks, we really haven’t had much rain, so everything was pretty tough,” Kott said. “Sheep numbers were down. If you look at the traditional sheep sales, they were bigger than normal. So, people were liquidating sheep., It’s going to take a while, but things are picking up.”

Last year, Kott had to sell some of his herd, while some producers had no choice but to sell their entire herd.

“Most people sold down a third of their animals, and it was looking like they were going to have to take another third this year,” he said. “Hopefully, these recent rains have turned that around.”

Despite some pastures being heavily grazed, Kott said pasture conditions are looking better.

“Many sheep producers fed up all the hay reserves we had last year. We had to buy more feed, so it was a costly year,” Kott said. “But lamb crops are pretty good, and prices are pretty good. So, we have some positives.”

Hopes for more rain continues.

“We’re going to need to more rain. But we’re thankful for the rain we have received, and it’s looking pretty good right now,” he said.

And more rain will help replenish water sources.

“I wouldn’t say we’re out of the drought, but we’re moving in a positive direction,” he said. “We are still experiencing the repercussions of the drought until we get those water reserves replenished and the streams running again. We’re still in a drought, because streams are all low.”

The latest water weekly report from the Texas Water Development Board shows 28% of the state is suffering from drought compared to 79% of the state last year. Severe to exceptional drought still grips about 10% of the state.