John Dudley of Comanche is a purebred cattle producer and second vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Dudley said ranchers he has talked with are still retaining their optimism. They are hoping it will begin rain again in the fall - just like in did in 1996. Nevertheless, cattlemen are concerned about how they will manage cattle through the fall and winter if they do not get rain. They are beginning to have problems with stock tanks drying up.
Ranchers expect dry spells now and then.
But the Drought of '98 came too soon after the Drought of '96. Ranchers haven't had time to heal up, get money in the bank and get debts paid off. It's going to really work a hardship for some people. Nolan County rancher Tom Stewman of Maryneal said the 1998 drought is worse than anyone had imagined. The purebred Limousin cattle producer said that dry, hot weather, bad cattle prices, dismal oil prices and poor row crops in the Abilene region have all combined to add up to a gloomy picture.