It’s estimated at least 80 percent of the Western U.S. is being impacted by drought.

Curt Covington with ag lender AgAmerica says crops are suffering to the point where some fields of permanent plantings are being “let go.”

“It’s been kind of a sad state of affairs.”

He tells Brownfield the situation is also dire for many livestock producers.

“It’s really been very tough in certain parts of the West depending on how far east you go, but we’re seeing liquidation of cattle herds just simply because there isn’t enough grass to feed the animals.”

And Covington says high input costs aren’t helping the situation.

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