With family roots deeply embedded in Taylor County, 71 year-old Winston Ohlhausen knows the ins and outs of the
farming industry. He's been doing it almost his entire life.
"This has always been home, and always what I wanted to do, the main thing", says Ohlhausen. He, along with many other farmers in the area, understands the stress the the drought has caused, for both his land, and his income. The 2011 drought cost Ohlhausen over half of his yearly profits.
"Around here, we just expect it to be dry. I'm fortunate that I can irrigate some with a pivot here. But I have dry land and right now it's really starting to hurt", Ohlhausen tells us.
He considers himself retired, yet spends the better part of his days out on the family hay farm working before he hand delivers orders to local agriculture supply stores. Even with the many obstacles he has to face as a farmer in a dry area, Ohlhausen says there's nothing else he would rather do.
"Now is no different than any other time. You just have to be where you know you can pay for it if you're gonna get it, and right now you get less than when it rains", he tells us.
Keeping in mind that he does run a business, Ohlhausen makes strategic decisions, such as which type of hay to irrigate when funds are tight. And so far, he has a successful track record, with a family farm that produced since 1916.
Ohlhausen also told us new technology, like automated machinery, has helped save time and money in the farming industry. But for now, what he wants most is a little rain.
"This has always been home, and always what I wanted to do, the main thing", says Ohlhausen. He, along with many other farmers in the area, understands the stress the the drought has caused, for both his land, and his income. The 2011 drought cost Ohlhausen over half of his yearly profits.
"Around here, we just expect it to be dry. I'm fortunate that I can irrigate some with a pivot here. But I have dry land and right now it's really starting to hurt", Ohlhausen tells us.
He considers himself retired, yet spends the better part of his days out on the family hay farm working before he hand delivers orders to local agriculture supply stores. Even with the many obstacles he has to face as a farmer in a dry area, Ohlhausen says there's nothing else he would rather do.
"Now is no different than any other time. You just have to be where you know you can pay for it if you're gonna get it, and right now you get less than when it rains", he tells us.
Keeping in mind that he does run a business, Ohlhausen makes strategic decisions, such as which type of hay to irrigate when funds are tight. And so far, he has a successful track record, with a family farm that produced since 1916.
Ohlhausen also told us new technology, like automated machinery, has helped save time and money in the farming industry. But for now, what he wants most is a little rain.
