MERCEDES, Texas – The typically vibrant agricultural landscape of Mercedes, Texas, is facing a severe crisis as persistent drought conditions take a heavy toll on local farmers. England Cattle Company, a long-standing farm in Mercedes, exemplifies the struggle, with vast fields parched and crops failing due to extreme water scarcity. This once-fertile land, which previously supported thriving crops like sugarcane, cotton, and corn, is now dry and cracked, desperately needing rainfall. Michael England, owner of England Cattle Company, recently shared his firsthand experience with FOX Weather, highlighting the critical situation impacting the region’s agricultural community.
The drought in Mercedes, Texas, and the wider Rio Grande Valley, has reached a critical point. The recent closure of the last sugar mill in Texas due to water shortages serves as a stark reminder of the drought’s devastating consequences. Farmers in the region have been forced to make heartbreaking decisions, such as plowing under entire crops, unsure of what the relentless drought will claim next. For Michael England, this meant destroying 500 acres of sugarcane, a significant loss. Despite the fertile land, replanting remains impossible due to the lack of available water. England has only planted a small portion of his other crops, including cotton, sorghum, and corn, across his remaining 2,500 acres, acknowledging the considerable risk involved.
“The critical need for all irrigated farmers is water, which is currently trapped in our dams without sufficient inflows,” England explained. “This year, we’ve only managed to plant a fraction of our land, undertaking a significant gamble even with that limited planting.” The images of barren fields where sugarcane once grew underscore the harsh reality faced by farmers in Mercedes, Texas, due to the ongoing drought.
Crop Failure Worsened by Mercedes Texas Weather Drought
England’s farm relies entirely on flood irrigation, drawing water from the Rio Grande, approximately 10 miles away. However, the persistent lack of upstream rainfall has caused the Rio Grande Basin to plummet to record low levels, as reported by the National Weather Service and local news outlets. This drastic reduction in water availability is directly linked to the challenging Mercedes Texas Weather patterns, characterized by prolonged periods of dryness.
“While we’ve experienced water cutbacks over the past three years, the current situation is unprecedented. We’re essentially operating with zero irrigation water,” England stated, emphasizing the severity of the current drought compared to past dry spells. He further noted the shifting weather patterns and recurring drought cycles in the region, recalling severe droughts in 2002, 2008, and 2011. “The 2011 drought surpassed even the infamous 1955 drought in statistical terms. And now, we are in the third year of yet another severe drought.”
The extreme heat in Texas further exacerbates the drought’s impact on crop production, placing immense stress on farmers already struggling with water scarcity.
In response to the escalating crisis, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has extended the disaster proclamation for a significant portion of South Texas. This declaration acknowledges the “exceptional drought conditions” as an imminent disaster threat across numerous counties, initially issued in July 2022 at the onset of the current drought. This governmental action underscores the severity of the Mercedes Texas weather’s impact on the region and the urgent need for drought relief measures.
Water Treaty Disputes Further Complicate Mercedes Texas Weather Drought Impact
Adding to the complexity of the water crisis in Mercedes, Texas, is the reliance on water from Mexico through the 1944 Water Treaty. “Our primary water source, the Rio Grande River, also forms the international boundary with Mexico,” England explained. “Water sharing with Mexico is governed by the 1944 treaty. This water is pumped from the river to various water districts across the valley, and we receive it through pipelines and canals. However, currently, all irrigation water has been cut off, with water only allocated for municipal use.”
The economic consequences of this irrigation water shortage are substantial. Texas A&M University estimates that a complete lack of irrigation water in the Lower Rio Grande Valley would result in a staggering $495.8 million in direct revenue loss for the agricultural sector. This figure highlights the critical importance of water for the economic stability of communities reliant on agriculture in regions like Mercedes, Texas, facing prolonged drought conditions.
Under the 1944 treaty, in exchange for water deliveries from the Colorado River to Mexico, Mexico is obligated to deliver water to Texas from tributaries feeding the Rio Grande. The treaty mandates Mexico to release 1.1 million acre-feet of water every five years, averaging 350,000 acre-feet annually. However, the Texas Farm Bureau reports a significant shortfall, with Mexico being behind by over 736,000 acre-feet since the current cycle began in October 2020. Addressing this deficit would require Mexico to deliver the equivalent of three and a half years’ worth of water within the next year and a half, an immense challenge given their own water scarcity issues.
The closure of the last sugar mill in Texas and the struggles of farmers like England are attributed by many to political factors surrounding the water treaty. In their closure announcement, the sugar mill emphasized that “Agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley is dependent on adequate and reliable irrigation water deliveries.” They further stated that “For over 30 years, farmers in South Texas have been contending with Mexico’s non-compliance with the 1944 Water Treaty… governing water sharing… on the Colorado River and the Lower Rio Grande.”
Mexico cites its own drought-related water challenges as a reason for the delivery delays. Manuel Morales, Secretary of the Mexican Section for the International Boundary and Water Commission, acknowledged the current water delivery delays to the Texas Tribune, stating, “…our intention is to mitigate that deficit as much as possible… We want to continue complying with the treaty.”
Despite the challenges, England has attempted to adapt, planting 500 acres of cotton and 120 acres of sorghum grain out of his 2,500 acres. While the cotton is surviving, it is stunted by the extreme drought conditions prevalent in the Mercedes Texas weather. His sorghum crop is in poor condition, with shallow roots and signs of heat stress.
“I’ve decided that if the grain doesn’t yield as expected, I’ll convert it to hay for our cattle,” England stated, highlighting the resourcefulness and adaptability of farmers in the face of adversity. “However, the majority of our land remains unplanted and idle,” he concluded, underscoring the extensive impact of the drought on his farming operation and the wider agricultural community in Mercedes, Texas. The ongoing drought and water crisis pose a significant threat to the agricultural economy of Texas, a state that is a leading exporter of cotton and agricultural products.
