Texas-ag-report

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ZYDECO BLANCO
TEXAS AG REPORT - TEXAS AG REPORT

Il fait chaud
Il fait chaud et sec
Il fait chaud
C'est chaud et sec

It's Hot! It's Hot!
It just won't stop!
I ain't had no rain
I ain't got no crops
The stock tank dried up months
ago
I had to sell my cattle
had to sell em low

Il fait chaud
Il fait chaud et sec
Il fait chaud
C'est chaud et sec

The banker called me yesterday
Said I was behind
and I'd have to pay
I shook my head
what could I say
I said "come on out
and take it away"

Il fait chaud
Il fait chaud et sec
Il fait chaud
C'est chaud et sec

The inspiration for "Texas Ag
Report" was a "found poem" which
was found in the The Blanco County
News, July 22, 2009. The "poem"
was a collection of agriculture
reports compiled by Texas AgriLife
Extension Service district reporters
that, taken all together, painted the
grim picture that was Texas
agriculture at that moment of a
drought that had lingered for years
and would not break until end of
2009.

TEXAS AG REPORT
Lyrics and music by Leif Oines ©

Recording notes:

Dustin Welsh reads the ag report.
Leif Oines plays accordion and
sings the lead vocals.
Harvey Trahan plays rubboard
and sings.
Larry Woods plays guitar.
Steve Lamphier plays bass.
Brandon Aly plays drums.

The CENTRAL region was extremely dry. Stock tanks were
going dry, and producers continued providing
supplemental feed to livestock. Corn yields were low, and
silage yields were not expected to be as good as indicated
earlier in the season.   In the COASTAL BEND region
extreme drought conditions with record high temperatures
continued to stress crops and livestock. The harvesting of
corn and grain sorghum began with marginal yields.
Farmers with zeroed-out fields were baling corn and grain
for hay. Range and pasture conditions were extremely
poor. Ranchers were liquidating herds due to lack of
forage. In the EASTERN region of the state, The
100-degree-plus temperatures threatened to quickly dry
out what moisture was received. Hay production slowed,
and yields were low. Some producers began to cull herds
to lessen the load on drought-stressed pastures and hay
stocks. Much of the FAR WEST region remained hot and
dry. High temperatures stressed plants and dried out soils.
Chiles were in full bloom with a measure of heat stress. A
few farmers plowed their poor stands of cotton up and
have not planted anything behind it. Some cotton showed
signs of Southwestern cotton rust. In the NORTH of the
state, Several days of 100-plus-degree heat took a toll on
the grasses and crops. Vegetable growers reported the
heat was killing tomato and watermelon vines, and tomato
diseases continued to be a problem. The entire
PANHANDLE region was hot and windy with some area
highs consistently above 100 degrees. Fields were rapidly
drying out. A few feed yards reported cattle losses due to
heat. Highs continued to be above 100 degrees in the
ROLLING PLAINS region of the state. Pastures and
livestock showed signs of heat stress. Armyworm
populations rose in milo and haygrazer but were not at
economic thresholds. Some rain helped forages but did not
help replenish critically low stock tanks.   In the
SOUTHERN region, Drought conditions continued with
temperatures of 100 to 109 degrees and no rain. Trees
and turf grass showed signs of burning even when
regularly watered. Overall, rangeland and pasture forgages
continued to decline in quality and quantity. High
temperatures and a declining forage supply affected the
body condition of cattle. Many stock tanks have gone dry.
Livestock producers were relocating their cattle, hauling
water or using poor-quality ground water. Some ranchers
sold their entire herds.   In the SOUTHWEST region, High
winds and a series of more than 20 days with record or
near-record high temperatures aggravated the drought.
The soil profile was very dry. High, dry winds increased
the risk of roadside and field fires. Except in deferred
pastures, forages were almost non-existent. Pastures and
rangeland made almost no progress.   Extremely hot, dry
conditions with record high temperatures continued in the
WEST CENTRAL region. Soil moisture was very low.
Crops and livestock were showing signs of heat stress.
Most cotton was planted, but the crop was off to a slow
start due to lack of moisture. Rangeland and pastures were
drying up and forages were turning brown. Stock tanks
and ponds were drying out. Supplemental feeding of
livestock continued in over-grazed areas.