The heat wave affecting our communities is also “exacerbating the extreme drought plaguing Texas agriculture,” according to Adam Russell of the Texas A&M AgriLife in a recent press release. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program has had regional specialists from across the state report a “wide range of issues related to triple-digit temperatures and worsening conditions for livestock and crop producers.” In addition to the release, AgriLife also stated “reports of poor forage and growing conditions throughout the state, including failed to stunted plants and lower yield expectations on crops ranging from sorghum, cotton, peanuts and pecans.” In drier areas of our state, livestock producers have been marketing and weaning calves earlier than expected, as well as culling herds deeper than usual, wrote Russell.

Interesting times, isn’t it? We’re living in an era where cars now send us messages, like “your back left tire is low.” Maybe your fuel light flashes showing you need to find a gas station. Some even talk, like Siri or Alexa.

Monday, March 21, 2022, was the day of reckoning for most of the town of Madisonville. An EF-1 tornado touched down just outside of the town along HWY 190/21 before moving its way to damage the many businesses and homes residing along its path.

The Austin Airtanker Base at the Austin-Bergstrom Internation Airport has been opened by the Texas A&M Forest Service to assist with increased wildfire activity across the state. Overall, the Texas A&M Forest Service has responded to 1,240 wildfires since January, 2022.