Historic, below-freezing temperatures swept across Texas and much of the Southwest last week. Temperatures less than 28 degrees for extended periods of time, damaged, and in some cases, destroyed winter crops such as citrus and vegetables grown in the Texas Rio Grande Valley.
The harsh conditions challenged farmers and ranchers across the region. Farm Press gathered the following social media posts, photos and information about the impact of the storm throughout the region.
Livestock producers spent the week outside enduring single-digit temperatures reduced to below zero due to the wind chill, breaking ice and rescuing calves or other newborn livestock from the frigid temperatures. Conditions were further challenged by power outages and frozen pipes.
See, Winter storm leaves empty Texas grocery shelves – again
In her Facebook posts entitled, "Siberia Comes to Texas," Dee Ann Littlefield, Henrietta, Texas, documented their experience caring for their cattle and horses.
Citrus producer and President of Texas Citrus Mutual, Dale Murden, Harlingen, Texas, posted the following pictures of frozen citrus on his farm. He calls the winter storm the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 2021." He and others will spend the next several weeks assessing the damage.