TULIA, Texas — Scott Irlbeck crouched in a field of stunted wheat plants in a parched stretch of West Texas and slipped his hand into a crack wide enough to swallow it.
Scott Irlbeck inspects drought-hit wheat fields on his farm in Tulia, Texas, April 21.
Scott Irlbeck grabs a handful of his successful wheat in Tulia, Texas, May 13. "This is probably all I'll get this year," Irlbeck says.
Scott Irlbeck inspects drought-hit wheat fields on his farm in Tulia, Texas, April 21.
Texas, United States - May 17, 2026 Texas farmer @LDAMAX1 has shared striking footage and photos showing the harsh drought conditions affecting the South Plains during one of the most important periods of the agricultural calendar.
People are also reading…
Kody Carson on his farm, as drought delays crop plantings and hurts wheat yields in the U.S. plains, in Olton, Texas, April 20.
Tom Gregory, who is facing increased costs for fuel, fertilizer and irrigation, on his farm in Petersburg, Texas, April 21.
