Rain Helps and Hurts Cotton Farmers
By: Brooke Chavez
Updated: June 16, 2009
Recent rains brought some much needed moisture to area cotton crops. But what was first a blessing, turned into a disaster when the hail arrived. This year's rain showers have been spotty across the South Plains and that had some farmers panicking once June approached. Southern cotton growers have very specific planting deadlines to be eligible for insurance claims should the crops fail. Farmer Bernie Thiel says what should have been a gift from Mother Nature, turned disastrous because of the hail - "this particular time of the year, it's kind of two fold, it can be a blessing and in the same disguise it can be a disaster, especially if you get the hail." The South Plains accounts for about 75 percent of Texas cotton production, making it a huge loss should the area continue to see hail storms and erratic rain fall.
