Aug. 9, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
Last Friday, on Jan. 30, 2026, the USDA released its Cattle Inventory Report showing a decrease in the nation’s cattle herd.
After the report’s release, experts and economists from across the southern states gave their perspectives on the most recent Southern Ag Today article.
You can read the full article here: https://southernagtoday.org/2026/02/03/the-cow-herd-shrinks-some-more/
One common theme that almost every industry expert mentioned was drought. Drought continues to be a challenging circumstance for producers to face. Most producers are forced into making difficult decisions that impact their operations. It is important to have reliable resources to fall back on when navigating drought decisions for your operation.
One resource currently available is the “Drought Proofing the Ranch” online course. This course is for farmers, ranchers, and landowners who are impacted by drought conditions. While offering tools, you can help better manage your land through dry periods. The online course covers risk management, economic management strategies, and rangeland management for landowners. The Drought Proofing the Ranch online course is self-paced, which can easily fit into a producer’s busy schedule.
View the online course here: https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/product/drought-proofing-the-ranch/01t4x000003uskFAAQ
Another helpful tool for staying informed on drought conditions in Texas is the Texas Drought Monitor. This interactive map allows you to view current conditions and statistics in your county. This map keeps you up to date on current statistics and changing conditions to support your planning.
You can view the map here: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/currentmap/statedroughtmonitor.aspx?TX
As drought continues to impact producers across the southern states, access to helpful resources is more important than ever. While conditions remain challenging, articles like the Southern Ag Today analysis, the Drought Proofing the Ranch course, and the Texas Drought Monitor tools can help producers make informed decisions for their operations. Stay informed of current conditions and take advantage of available educational resources can help reduce risk and support long-term resilience during uncertain times.