USA - The drought gripping the Western Plains is rapidly becoming one of the most devastating agricultural disasters producers have faced in decades. From southern Colorado to Montana, farmers and ranchers are battling a crisis that extends far beyond dry fields. Water supplies are dwindling, wheat crops are failing, hay production is shrinking and cattle producers are being forced into difficult herd liquidation decisions. While recent rainfall has provided temporary relief in some areas, many producers say the damage is already done. Crop insurance agent and market analyst Ben Rand says. “I travel. I drive 125,000 miles a year. I don’t know. I can’t show you a good wheat crop anywhere in my draw.”