The drought continues to frustrate Central Texas farmers who are getting little, if anything, out of their work.
Andrew Tietjen is a hay farmer in Caldwell County, but right now his fields aren't producing much.
He said he's making about one-third of the hay he normally would.
"I had an old man tell me one time, 'If you're going to do it, it's because you love it,'" Tietjen said.
His love for farming is being tested by this drought.
His family usually makes enough hay to feed their own cattle and sell some to others.
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Drought Continues
News 8’s Jenna Hiller explains what one farming family is experiencing due to the drought.
 
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But this year, they're buying it.
"It's depressing because you keep hoping, you keep praying for the big rain that's going to pull us out of the drought, and it just doesn't come," Tietjen said.
To add insult to injury, the Tietjens are short staffed. Andrew's father, Harrell, is out of commission for the next month or so after an accident with a horse.
Now he's looking within his family for more help.
His wife, Kelly, is off for the summer from her job as a high school librarian. Now, she's helping out in the field.
"This is her first time. She's never been on a tractor, but she's doing a good job," Tietjen said. "I'm not going to fire her."
Kelly knows it's just part of being in a farming family.
"You feel a very strong bond that, however it's going to get done, you're all going to pitch in, and you just do what it takes to get things done," Kelly said.
Despite the setback, Tietjen is not looking to leave ranching any time soon.
He's taking on other work, like building fences, but hoping things will turn around soon.
"It is going to rain again. Things are going to turn around. We just got to hang in there," Tietjen said.
