US, Mexico ranchers experiment with hardy seeds for harsh landscape

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SAN ANGELO, TX - JULY 25: The remains of a decomposing cow lies in a pasture July 25, 2011 on a ranch near San Angelo, Texas. A severe drought in the region has caused shortages of grass, hay and water forcing ranchers to thin their herds or risk losing their cattle to the drought. The San Angelo area has seen only 2.5 inches of rain this year. The past nine months have been the driest in Texas since record keeping began in 1895, with 75% of the state classified as exceptional drought, the worst level. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) — SAN ANGELO, TX - JULY 25: The remains of a decomposing cow lies in a pasture July 25, 2011 on a ranch near San Angelo, Texas. Recently ranchers from the southwest and Mexico gathered in the high desert of west Texas to review results of an experiment to raise new, hardy grass seeds that can flourish in a harsh, demanding landscape.

Drought, overgrazing and oil and gas development have devastated vast tracts of ranchland across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico in recent years. But a new seed experiment may help.

Bare ground is a rancher's enemy.

Drought, overgrazing and oil and gas development have devastated vast tracts of ranchland across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico in recent years.

Recently ranchers from the southwest and Mexico gathered in the high desert of west Texas to review results of an experiment to raise new, hardy grass seeds that can flourish in a harsh, demanding landscape.

Reporter Lorne Matalon of Fronteras Desk has the story.