The rains may have finally begun to fall across much of the Lone Star State, but a few rain clouds does not mean Texans will recover soon from the drought conditions many have faced for more than a year, said Mickey Edwards, Lampasas County Farm Bureau president.

"Since before Jan. 1, much of South and Central Texas was plagued by what many were calling the worst drought of the century," Edwards said.

"Studies done by Texas A&M economists were pegging damages well beyond the $4 billion mark this year. For farmers and ranchers already faced with tough economic times, this drought couldn't have come at a worse time," he said.

Pastures have withered under the intense summer heat and extended dry times, and ranchers have reduced herds to record lows throughout the region.

"This is not something that simply goes away with a rain or two," Edwards said. "We'll probably feel the effects of the drought of 2009 for many years to come."

Directors at USDA's Farm Service Agency recently began accepting loss claims brought on by the drought conditions, after months of awaiting final program rules from implementation of the 2008 Farm Bill. Producers are urged to visit their local FSA service center for more details.

To learn more about the record drought, visit Texas Farm Bureau's "Drought '09" Web page at www.txfb.org.