The U.S. Drought Monitor is jointly produced by the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. (Map courtesy of NDMC.)
Texas cotton producers face early drought concerns and shifting market conditions heading into the 2026 planting season. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)

Texas drought, shifting markets shape 2026 crop outlook

Beautiful summer sunrise over fields with hay bales. (Adobe Stock │ #451660073 - Piotr Krzeslak)

Three ways to be more profitable making hay

Sorghum field near Dodge City, Kansas. (Journal photo by Dave Bergmeier.)
Round hay bales
Hay bales in a field at sunrise. (Adobe Stock │ #489362175 - Petr)