SAN ANGELO, Texas — Cotton is an essential product in the Concho Valley, and July's torrential rainfall had a silver lining for farmers who have suffered consecutive years of harmful drought conditions. Still, the job is not finished.

Farmers say about two inches of rain in the coming week and a half would help this year's crop continue growing into a respectable harvest. Last summer's consistent triple-digit heat conditions haven't repeated in 2025, and cotton planted early enough benefited from recent rains. Cotton planted too late struggled from the downpours- revealing just part of a balancing act farmers have become familiar with.

With low market prices, tariff talks and inflated expenses worsening the yearly uncertainty the weather ushers in, they've had to find ways not to have to

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