SAN ANGELO – As the growing season progresses, hot, dry conditions prevail over much of Texas causing crops, pastures and rangeland to wither, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples said current dry conditions are adding more headaches to the state’s already overburdened agricultural producers.

“Texas farmers and ranchers are some of the most resilient people I have ever known,” Staples said.

“We hope God will bless us with moisture to relieve some of the pressure facing our producers,” he said. “While we wait, state and federal agencies are working together to offer assistance and I urge producers to take advantage of these critical resources.”

Those sources include:

•The Agricultural Drought Task Force Web site, http://agrilife.tamu.edu/drought/ provides a clearing house of drought-related information from a number of state and federal agencies. The site is divided into two distinct areas. The ‘Resources on Drought’ section provides static and changing information on drought ranging from stream-flow data and weather information to links provided by the participating agencies.

•Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline at 1-877-429-1998 connects ranchers with hay suppliers. The resource is meant to connect those with extra hay to sell or pasture to lease with those needing it. The agency’s ‘Disaster Resource Information Packet’ is also available and provides pertinent contact information for state, federal and private agricultural disaster assistance programs. See www.TexasAgriculture.gov for more information on both Texas Department of Agriculture resources.

•U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency provides low-interest (3.75 percent interest on July 9) emergency loans to help eligible producers recover from natural disasters. For statewide assistance contact Brenda Carlson, public affairs specialist, U.S.D.A. Farm Service Agency at 979-680-5213, brenda.carlson@tx.usda.gov .