Texas Agriculture Today

*The Corporate Transparency Act filing deadline is back.   *The U.S. won the dispute with Mexico over their ban on genetically modified corn.   *Two big farm conventions are coming to San Antonio next month. *The weeks and months ahead of planting can determine the success of a crop.   *USDA has proposed several changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Orders.  *There are new ways to improve weed con...

*Brown County farmers and ranchers are preparing for 2025.   *The majority of farms in the U.S. are still family owned.   *The Texas 4-H Foundation received its largest grant ever. *The Texas Panhandle and Southern Plains are still seeing benefits from rains over the past couple of months.   *The public can now comment on a proposal to list the Monarch butterfly as a threatened species.   *There a...

*Congress passed and the president signed a Farm Bill extension and an economic assistance package for farmers.   *The December cattle on feed report came in as expected Friday.   *Mexico’s demand for U.S. dairy products is growing. *Diverting acreage to dryland production could make sense in the Texas High Plains.   *Southern Plains farmers are wrapping up cotton harvest.  *Central Texas finally...

*Heavy rains didn’t cause much damage to the northern Panhandle cotton crop.   *The drought has improved this year, but there is still a big chunk of the state that is dealing with drought.   *There will be some new faces leading the agriculture committees in the new congress. *Helping farmers learn ways to save water is the objective of a special program in the Texas High Plains.   *The average h...

*Congress continues to debate a continuing resolution to keep the government funded for the next few months. *Some Texas High Plains ranchers are expanding into sheep.   *Solar grazing is a new opportunity for sheep producers.   *A Texas sorghum farmer produced a bin-buster crop this year.   *USDA is expanding its National Milk Testing Strategy. *Cut-your-own Christmas trees are popular in East Te...

*This was a good year for agriculture in Brown County.   *A group of lawmakers, including six from Texas, is urging President Trump to pursue trade agreements that boost cotton exports.   *USDA is allocating emergency funding to protect the U.S. cattle industry from screwworms. *What kind of year has it been for cattle feeders in the Texas High Plains?   *Farmers may be getting a Christmas present...

*The U.S. has lost agricultural export markets.   *USDA is providing more free electronic identification tags for bison and cattle raisers.   *The Texas Corn Producers Association’s virtual annual meeting will be held January 23rd.   *Fed cattle prices have seen a big jump lately.   *Congress has tentatively reached a deal to extend the 2018 Farm Bill and provide economic assistance for farmers.  ...

*The Texas Commissioner of Agriculture weighs in on how another Trump presidency will affect Texas agriculture.   *The EPA has released another proposed rule regarding the use of chlorpyrifos.   *Texas cotton farmers can expect more competition from abroad in the coming months. *There are advantages in producing your own sorghum silage to feed livestock.   *If Congress doesn’t take action on a Far...

*A defeat in Denver was a big win for the sheep industry.   *Farmers will see higher replant payments in the 2026 crop year.   *Another endangered species listing could be coming soon that would affect farmers and ranchers.   *If you’re interested in raising sheep and goats, there are some things to think about before you get started.   *A technique used to rid the United States of screwworms back...

*Animal agriculture was on the ballot last month.   *A Texas A&M Aggie could be the next chief economist for the Senate Ag Committee.    *The Texas wheat crop is really popping in areas with rainfall. *There are a lot of educational events for farmers and ranchers coming up in the next few weeks.   *Officials from the U.S. and Mexico continue working to prevent the spread of New World screwwor...

*Estimates of the 2024 cotton crop are getting bigger.    *The Department of Labor is giving more time to comment on the proposed heat injury and illness prevention rule.   *This has been an interesting year for the beef market. *Prices for winter wheat are very low.   *A tax relief bill for cattle producers who are victims of wildfires is moving forward.   *The Farm Service Agency is streamlining...

*The competition is tough for forage in the Texas Panhandle.   *This has not been a good year for row crop farmers.   *It’s been a disappointing year for cotton farmers and gins in the Texas High Plains.   *Farmers in the Rio Grande Valley are finally getting some water from Mexico.   *The Federal Crop Insurance program is expanding.   *USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced a...

*A big cut in cash receipts is expected for a major Texas crop.   *The state of Texas is asking hunters and trappers to report their take of mountain lions.   *Farmers and ranchers seem to be very optimistic about the election of President Donald Trump to a second term.   *Cotton prices have Texas High Plains farmers operating well below their break-evens.   *Time is running out on the 118th Congr...

*Texas feedlots were surprisingly full in 2024.   *The U.S. Grains Council’s annual meeting is coming to the Lone Star State.   *Agribusiness giant Cargill is laying off thousands of employees.   *Lawmakers in Washington are discussing economic aid for farmers.   *A U.S. congresswoman from Texas continues to fight for Rio Grande Valley farmers impacted by a lack of water deliveries from Mexico.  *...

*Who is Brooke Rollins, Trump’s new pick for Secretary of Agriculture?   *Dairy products remain affordable.   *A federal judge in Texas has issued a nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act.   *Silage production has seen massive growth in the Texas High Plains.   *The U.S. ag trade deficit is expected to continue to grow.   *Cotton farmers are increasing environmental stewardsh...

*This has been an average year for feedlot profitability.   *The finalists have been named for this year’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher competition.   *The U.S. and Mexico continue to work together on the screwworm situation. *Agriculture in the Texas High Plains is evolving.   *The top ranking Republican on the Senate Ag Committee is urging congress to approve emergency assistance for far...

*Mexican cattle imports are delayed until after the first of the year.   *Texas’ largest farm organization is recognizing four young individuals.    *Registration is underway for the American Sheep Industry Association’s annual convention. *Agriculture is the driver of the Texas High Plains economy.   *A Texas congressman says it looks like we will see a Farm Bill extension instead of a full Farm...

*Big numbers of calves have moved through the sale barns this fall, but demand remains high.     *It’s time for one of the biggest agricultural events of the year in the Texas High Plains.   *Dairy farmers and cooperatives have a few weeks to weigh in on potential changes to federal milk marketing orders.     *December is bringing cooler temperatures to most of Texas.     *While temperatures are c...

*The Beef Checkoff is investing $40 million to help promote beef. *Even with grain prices being low, it looks like wheat acreage will hold steady on the Texas High Plains this year. *The EPA has released its rodenticide strategy. *The state’s largest farm and ranch organization is preparing for its annual convention.  *A study reveals magnesium oxide could help treat ulcers in horses.

*BASF has improved one of its tools to help farmers fight weeds. *Wheat prices continue to struggle, which is making things tough for farmers looking to make a grain crop.  *A new piece of legislation designed to help ensure the safety of American agriculture has passed the Senate. *Pumpkin pie isn’t the only way to enjoy the orange fruit.  *Beneficial moisture came just at the right time for East...

* Cattle producers in some parts of Texas have had to start feeding hay earlier than normal.  *A rainy November has helped been a game-changer for the winter wheat crop in the Texas High Plains.  *USDA temporarily restricting importation of animal commodities from Mexico due to New World screwworm discovery. *There's potential for lamb exports to continue to grow.  *Coastal Bend farmers and famili...

*Some areas of Texas could see some light snow this week. And what happened to La Niña?  *U.S. pork exports are up in both value and volume this year.  *A Texan has been nominated to serve as the next U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.  *Winter is fast approaching. There are a few things cattle raisers should be doing now to prepare.

*USDA seems to be out of touch with reality when it comes to farm income.    *Recent rains have improved drought conditions in some parts of Texas.   *The EPA is facing pressure to deny applications for the re-registration of dicamba. *What’s the status of soil health in the Texas High Plains?   *Ag experts say we can expect to see some regulatory changes in President Trump’s second term.   *High...

*The Texas winter wheat crop is improving.   *An important deadline is coming up for Texas farmers and ranchers.   *The Texas Wheat Symposium is two weeks away. *Texas farmers are looking for alternative ways to make money due to weak crop prices.   *What does a second Trump presidency mean for the Packers and Stockyards Act?   *The cost of a Thanksgiving meal is down slightly from a year ago.  *T...

*Cotton harvest is ahead of schedule this year.   *More farmers are switching to lower cost generic products.   *NCBA doesn’t expect much to happen in the lame-duck session of Congress. *Silage continues to offer economic advantages for Texas High Plains farmers.   *Ag groups are pushing for economic assistance for farmers.   *The beef checkoff was the subject of a recent presentation by high scho...