Texas Farmers and Ranchers face another summer

 Yes, it seems that Texas farmers and ranchers are facing a tough situation this year, as drought and heat are affecting their crops and livestock. According to the web search results, Texas just recorded its second hottest summer on record, with an average temperature of 85.3 degrees between June and the end of August1 This follows a prolonged drought that has been affecting West Texas since last August, and some areas for much longer2

The drought and heat are threatening the water supplies, soil quality, and crop yields of many farmers, especially those who grow cotton, corn, and soybeans. Some farmers are relying on irrigation systems to keep their crops alive, but they are also facing higher costs and limited water availability. Others are trying to adapt to the changing conditions by planting different crops, using conservation practices, or seeking alternative sources of income23

The drought and heat are also posing challenges for ranchers, who have to deal with limited feed availability, heat stress, and increased risk of disease and parasites for their cattle. Some ranchers are reducing their herd size, selling their animals, or moving them to other locations. Others are supplementing their feed, providing shade and water, or using genetic selection to breed more heat-tolerant cattle24

The drought and heat are not only affecting the farmers and ranchers, but also the consumers, the environment, and the economy. The reduced agricultural production could lead to higher food prices, lower quality, and less variety. The increased water use and land degradation could worsen the environmental problems, such as groundwater depletion, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. The economic losses could affect the income, employment, and well-being of many people who depend on the agricultural sector234

Therefore, Texas farmers and ranchers are facing a difficult and uncertain future, as drought and heat are making their work harder and riskier. They are trying to cope and adapt to the situation, but they also need more support and assistance from the government, the industry, and the public. They also need more research and innovation to develop more resilient and sustainable agricultural practices234

1: Texas just recorded its second hottest summer on record 2: West Texas farmers and ranchers fear the worst as drought, heat near 2011 records 3: Texas will face driest conditions of the last 1,000 years 4: Texas Farmers and Ranchers Challenged by Drought, Economy

Historic Royse City, Texas

Royse City, Texas

Royse City is on State Highway 66, (old Hwy. 67 back then) five miles northeast of Rockwall in the northeastern corner of Rockwall County. It was named for G. B. Royse, who in 1886 platted the townsite and sold its first lots. People began settling in the area in 1885, when it became known that the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad would be constructed through that part of the county. Many of the settlement's earliest residents and businesses were attracted from the nearby community of Fate, which the railroad had bypassed. The new community grew from the beginning. The first business, a general merchandise store, opened in December 1885 and was followed soon after by a variety of business houses, some of which were pulled on rollers from Fate. In 1886 a post office opened in Royse City. By 1890 the community had a population of 1,000, two cotton gins, a gristmill, and twenty businesses. It was first incorporated in 1891; this incorporation was voted out in 1902, only to be reinstated in 1906. In 1896 the number of businesses in the community stood at forty, and by 1898 local schools employed four teachers and registered 204 students. Considerable business in marketing, cotton trading, cottonseed oil manufacturing, and cotton ginning took place in the early twentieth century. By 1914 Royse City had a population of 1,300 and forty businesses. The population remained over 1,000 during the 1920s and 1930s, and in 1936 fifty-four businesses operated in the town. From 1950 to 1960 the population increased from 1,190 to 1,243, and the number of businesses declined from fifty-five to forty-five. By 1964 Royse City had decreased to a population of 1,100 but afterward grew to 1,535 in 1970, 1,566 in 1980, and 1,800 in 1988. The business community decreased in size between 1960 and 1970 but increased from forty businesses in 1980 to fifty-six in 1988. In 1990 the population was 2,206. The population was 2,957 in 2000.

This article was borrowed from a Facebook listing, called "Royse City Businesses", in the "I Love Texas" post.

Feed Store/Silos

The railroad tracks, that have run through this town for years and the building on the left was once a lumber yard.  Then there's the Feed store across from it, with the grain silos for storage, until the train cars get loaded and transported to other towns.
I borrowed this photo from Jack Palmer Photos.

Tumbleweed

Now that's a Texas size tumbleweed........ wow, :)

Good Afternoon, Texas !

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
  Cute babies........ ! :)

TEXAS THANG.........

It's a Texas "thang".......so we, say.......and rightly proud at that!  The way we talk, walk, eat, live and breath........all Texas style!  Yes, we brag and most of the time we can back it up!  It's our Texas, where we live, and grew up.  Where we make our life and move forward with our country ways, that we all consider true Texas values.  Our Stetson cowboy hats, cowboy boots, Levi jeans, western shirts and don't forget our Texas BBQ's!  We could go on and on about the things that make up the Texas Thang, but you'd get tired of our bragging and go get your own, Texas way of life.  That's just the way it is, here in TEXAS! 

We Got It

If you've ever been to the "Lone Star State" then you know how great Texas is!  You name it, and we got it!  There's never a dull moment here in our state and you can find events, rodeos, fishing, caverns, amusement parks, skyscrapers, large cities, small rural towns, and so many more things I don't have time to mention.  Oh yeah, did I mention snakes?
Right now we are in the middle of the summer months and in Texas you know what that means, especially if you've visited during that time or live here.  HOT and DRY!  All this week we are in the 100's and you can see wide cracks in the ground, where there was water all the month of May. What a difference a month makes!  The lakes picked up good levels of water, so the fishermen and boating enthusiasts are having a great summer.
If you come to Texas, be sure to enjoy some BBQ while your here.  That's just one of the good things you'll be able to have memories of, when you return to your home.  TEXAS, a great place to be.

Peach Trees

Buy Reviews

 

My peach trees made it through the ice and snow recently, so I will have peaches this year, if the wasps and birds leave them alone.  That's the two things that attack these fruit when they start to mature.

Grasshopper

Last year was a bad year for these things and this year I noticed a few, but not as many.......This is a good thing because last year they ate everything in sight.  My roses even took a toll with these darn things eating the leaves and buds.  It's a common thing during the summer to have these pests attack here in our local areas.  The winter has alot to do with whether or not they are plentiful, with how cold it gets.  Don't want bad weather but these things can become trouble to crops and food supplies.

Tyler Roses

Tyler roses are famous.........

Corn Harvest

This is something you see in Texas right about this time of year...........

Water?

It's not here in this state but I'm sure that most water troughs were frozen this morning here is Texas areas as well.  It looks as though our temps will warm just a bit and then we can expect rain.  The midwest states are suffering as the above picture shows.  I found this picture in one of the articles that was written on Yahoo.
Try the classifieds why your at it.

Backyard chickens|garden makeover|Central Texas

You can see this couple have a great idea for life in Texas.  I love having fresh eggs from yard chickens, but many towns in Texas won't allow you to have chickens.

Crop Duster

Ever see a crop duster flying over fields and spraying the crops? Here's a good view of one.

A Part of Texas

Above you see just a few of the things that makes up a small part of our great state.  Texas, is one of the best places to visit and more importantly live.  I have been a native Texan all my life and am proud of my heritage here in the "Lone Star State".  

Harvest

 Time to harvest when you find this.  You will see the big harvesters moving down the rows as they gather the corns to be taken to the mills and transported to food processing plants.

Tasseling

Here the corn has gotten to the point of making tassels which is considered the bloom.  Soon small shoots will form along the side of the stalks, and start growing the ears of corn.

New Corn

This is a new crop of corn that about 2 months old.  As you drive along the country roads as well as the freeways, this is the sight in many areas.  The farmers use this land to make the need crops to feed their livestock in the coming months.  Other farmers sell their crops to companies each year to feed America and other countries.

Cotton Field

This field is still green and the boles are opening which will be a great crop for this farmer.  Each year the weather takes it's toll on crops, when there isn't enough rain.  It looks as though this was a good year as long as the bole weevils and grasshoppers leave it alone.

Cotton

 
Growing up in Texas you came in contact with the many cotton fields during planting and harvesting times.  This is a cotton field ready for harvest and the big machines will come and strip the stalks, take the raw cotton to the local cotton gin where it will be processed.