Earlier this week, Lubbock Texas experienced a massive dust storm, with some dust walls reaching over 1 mile in height and over 200 feet in length. The storms, a frightening reminder of the 1930s era Dust Bowl, are the latest fallout from the ongoing drought that is devastating the state and crippling the Texas agricultural industry.
The drought, which has been ongoing for nearly a year, is one of the worst in Texas history. Conservative estimates place the potential economic loss from the lack of rain and water at nearly $6 billion, with some estimates reaching much higher.
In addition to crop and livestock losses, the lack of water and the resulting dry, parched land has caused a series of natural disasters, including devastating wildfires. Recently, dust storms have been added to that list of disasters. While not uncommon across Texas, dust storms are typically only 1,000 feet in height, much smaller than the recent 8,000 foot storm that descended on Lubbock.
Meteorologists are predicting more dust storms in Texas and across the Southwest as the drought continues. However, while the recent storms may be reminiscent of the 1930s, experts predict that we will not see another Dust Bowl, largely because of improved soil practices, conservation programs, and modern farming techniques.
However, some farmers have used this storm as powerful evidence of the continued importance of funding conservation programs. With Congress looking to trim over $20 billion from agricultural budgets, conservation programs are at the top of the austerity lists. As the president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts stated, “This storm should show why these cuts can’t all come from conservation and why it’s important that we keep a focus on natural resource protection on working farm and ranch land unless we want to see a new Dust Bowl.”
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Written by: Justin Ellison / Farm Plus Staff Writer
