According to John Fleck, Albuquerque Journal, Oct 21, 2011, Forecasters Predict Extended Drought will stretch into next year. Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico already suffering the worst of the 2010-11 drought, could be hit hard again next year. The same article predicts heavy snow and rains for the northern tier of states. He points out that Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado and Louisiana are also suffering drought conditions and it will expand into Florida. The article also states that for New Mexico, this has been the driest year in the history, with records going back into the 1800s.La Nina causes a shift in the large scale wind patterns that bring winter storms across the North American continent, tending to shift them north. La Nina does not guarantee a dry winter here in New Mexico, but the forecasters said,  strongly shifts the odds. Some of the other items of interest in this article states that with little to no grass available our ranchers have to sell off a lot of their cattle. Streams and springs are drying up, water is being hauled into some ranches and the price of alfalfa has shot up to $300 dollars per ton. In addition, the sell off of cattle is creating a glut of cattle on the market driving the market prices for beef down. Some areas of central New Mexico got rains late in the summer, however, I am not sure it was in sufficient quantities to produce enough grass for the winter. Some ranching stuff…I have had the pleasure of knowing several ranchers in New Mexico and West Texas and  I have been amazed at the talents these ranchers possess. They are mechanics, welders, buyers, sellers, handy men, carpenters, black smith, veterinarian’s, and  number one bull sh..ers…Most of them are in isolated locations, miles from the nearest garages and part stores, so they have to make do to survive…I take my hat off to the ranchers of America…They are a vanishing, independent breed of craftsmen….I hope they can survive…I think they will….Pete Hester