AgriLife Extension Service economist David Anderson said Wednesday livestock losses were $2.1 billion, and crop losses made up the remainder. The estimate comes from field surveys as of Aug. 1. Anderson said there could be further losses by the time crops are harvested.
The previous record was $4.1 billion in 2006.
Texas has a long history with droughts. Since 1998, drought has cost Texas agriculture $13.1 billion.
Crops and rangeland across the state have been scorched from lack of rainfall and record triple-digit temperatures throughout parts of Texas. Most of the state has been in the two worst stages of drought since the beginning of May.
