Texas Ag Commissioner
Warns Of Dry Spring

AUSTIN —(AP)— Texas Agriculture Commissioner Susan Combs warned last Friday that the spring season may bring too little rain to benefit Texas farmers and ranchers.

``The likelihood for a very dry spring is high,'' said Ms. Combs, a fourth-generation rancher. ``A very dry spring translates to very poor planting, which translates to no commodities being grown, which translates to another disaster year for farmers and ranchers.''

Ms. Combs told the Texas Water Conservation Association that the patterns of 1996 seem to be recurring.

``I am very concerned that 1999 will see a repetition of 1996,'' she said. ``1996 had two severe problems: low commodities prices, which were really awful, and drouth. And we're seeing prices again ... either flat or falling.''

Ms. Combs said she couldn't predict how severe a possible drouth would be, but added that there have been estimations of the dry period lasting until May 1st, a critical planting time.

A drouth would not be good for the Texas economy as a whole, she said.

``Whether you come from a rural community or an urban center, from an agriculture enterprise or a high-tech industry, the ability to manage our water resources is essential to the future growth of Texas,'' Ms. Combs said.