The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Developing a Drought Management Plan meeting for producers in the Roberts County area June 17.

“While we have received some recent rains, Roberts County has been in a drought and it is important for everyone in agriculture to plan for that scenario,” said Sterling Scott, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, Roberts County.

Guest speaker will be Justin Benavidez, AgriLife Extension economist, Amarillo. Benavidez specializes in farm management, livestock, row crop production and policy analysis.

Benavidez pointed out that the next drought is always right around the corner and that preparations should begin during periods with plenty of rainfall.

“Even though we’ve received some much-needed rain during the month of May, about 50% of Texas is still in some stage of drought, and we expect at least one month of D0 drought every three years on average,” Benavidez said. “If we’re making decisions to mitigate drought’s impact while we’re already in the middle of a drought, we may be forced into some decisions that are suboptimal.”

On the agenda

Benavidez plans to discuss ways to use the Pasture, Rainfall and Forage insurance program, some considerations for supplemental feeding, and some culling and marketing options for cows and calves before and during drought.

“If we start evaluating different aspects of our ranch, and figure out what is best for our operations during non-drought periods, we can make better decisions when we begin to see the onset of drought conditions,” he said.

The free meeting will begin at 10 a.m. at the Roberts County Courthouse Annex, 122 Waters St., Miami.

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