We take little notice of how the severe drought in Texas is affecting the world, and not just our backyards. Texas produces over 50% of the cotton grown in the United States, which is then sold to other countries for their textiles. The drought has had a severe affect on the cotton fields, leaving many farmers, with nothing but lint in their pockets, while international buyers are now turning to other cotton producing countries, like Brazil and Australia for their cotton needs.
Texas also supplies food to many areas of the country. Farmers are now wondering how they are going to afford to keep their cattle alive, without water. Many are selling the cattle they have, to try to make provisions for the ones they have. But the problem is still lack of food and resources for these animals. One rancher, Mr. Casey is trying to come up with some inventive ideas to keep his herd fed, and once his supply of what he calls "Cotton Trash" (byproduct of cotton gins that has the seeds and fibers removed), is close to "drying up", he is going to have to resort to burning thorns off prickly pear cacti that grow on his farm, to make them edible for cattle. Others order hay from hundreds of miles away from their farms, adding to the financial strain. He, along with other farmers in his situation say that the situation would be less stressful if they knew what to expect. But how does one plan for this?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/31/business/energy-environment/catastrophic-drought-in-texas-causes-global-economic-ripples.html
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