As temperatures rise, agriculture industry suffers

  • Reagan Edwards, left, along with his father, Mickey Edwards, pour out supplemental feed for their cattle. They have had to dip into this supply, as grass barely grows due to the drought conditions. MONIQUE BRAND | DISPATCH RECORD
    Reagan Edwards, left, along with his father, Mickey Edwards, pour out supplemental feed for their cattle. They have had to dip into this supply, as grass barely grows due to the drought conditions. MONIQUE BRAND | DISPATCH RECORD
  • High temperatures and little rain have resulted in reduced forage for grazing animals. MONIQUE BRAND | DISPATCH RECORD
    High temperatures and little rain have resulted in reduced forage for grazing animals. MONIQUE BRAND | DISPATCH RECORD
  • Limited hay production is a constant reminder of the continuing drought across Texas. MONIQUE BRAND | DISPATCH RECORD
    Limited hay production is a constant reminder of the continuing drought across Texas. MONIQUE BRAND | DISPATCH RECORD

    Reagan Edwards walked across his family’s ranch one Friday morning in late June, when temperatures were expected at 96 degrees — a bit cooler than usual, as for the past several weeks the county has hit triple-digit highs.

    Edwards Cattle is a farmstead that manages about 3,000 leased acres in Lampasas and Burnet counties. The ranch produces cattle and hay, both dwindling in numbers this year becaus…