United States-The Drought in Texas.

UNITED STATES-THE DROUGHT IN TEXAS.

Drought conditions in Texas are keeping farmers from planting crops, forcing cattle producers to cull their herds and drying up lakes across the state.

Despite being soaked by three hurricanes last year, a recent Drought Monitor map shows that almost 97 percent of the nation’s No. 2 agricultural state is experiencing some drought.

Parts of central Texas and the Hill Country are facing exceptional droughts -- making them the driest regions in the country. A Texas AgriLife Extension Service spokesman says with bone-dry soil there’s nothing for farmers to plant on.

But the parched state could be lapping up rainfall in the coming months. Forecasters say it appears the La Nina weather pattern that’s kept Texas dry may be breaking up.