Here in NM it was one of the driest springs on record, months with little more than a brief drizzle. Worst fires the state has ever seen. Now, it has rained a lot, almost daily for 2-3 weeks, so far one of the wettest monsoon seasons in a very long time.
That type of cycle makes it really hard not just for farmers but also cattle ranchers. High diesel and fertilizer prices hurt, but this type of weather is a killer.
I have no desire to turn this into a debate, but I suggest talking to an older farmer and rancher about if the climate has changed over the past 50 years. I have spoken to some older ranchers here. They said it has never been this bad (weather extremes that make producing food really difficult and expensive).
I am at high elevation in the forest. It is amazing how many 100 year old trees have died. Older than that is rare as the area was heavily forested about 100 years ago. The town came into existence for logging to supply timber to build El Paso, TX. But, as trees grow really slow here, logging didn’t last long.
I only have an acre of land and have had to remove a dozen dead trees in just the past few years. That doesn’t count all the dead ones I removed when I purchased the property.
is it going to get worse? I don’t know but even if status quo is maintained it is not good at all.