Texas Agriculture Today

*Texas sugarcane acreage is dropping because of an irrigation water shortage. *Political pressure is needed to solve the water crisis in the Rio Grande Valley. *There is a critical shortage of veterinarians in Texas.   *We may not see a completed Farm Bill this year.   *Rural child care may help reduce farm accidents involving children. *Cold winter weather can be tough on livestock, including she...

*Rio Grande Valley vegetable growers are struggling with drought and irrigation water shortages. *Texas Farm Bureau leaders are helping Rio Grande Valley farmers bring attention to Mexico's refusal to live up to its water treaty promises. *The Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine in Amarillo will soon achieve a major milestone.   *A lizard found in Central and West Texas will not be added to t...

The Texas citrus industry is still recovering from Winter Storm Uri three years ago.   Rio Grande Valley row crop farmers may not be able to plant a crop this year due to a severe lack of irrigation water.   A federal court has vacated registrations of dicamba.    Top dressing wheat is an important consideration for many Texas wheat farmers.     There are promising opportunities for U.S. red meat...

A group of Texas farmers and ranchers is touring the Rio Grande Valley.   Rio Grande Valley farmers want Mexico to hold up their end of a decades old water treaty.   Wheat in the Texas High Plains is moving towards a critical development stage.     The state’s largest farm organization is fighting for farmers and ranchers in Washington D.C.   Japan is a big trading partner for U.S. agriculture, bu...

The El Niño weather pattern has brought a lot of rain to Texas, but it is now on its way out.     Getting the timing right for fertilizing wheat can affect yields.     Lawmakers have introduced a bill requiring labels for imitation meat and poultry.     Chain stores across Texas provide a good market for locally grown vegetables.     Burning has been used for years to rejuvenate grasslands.     Us...

Texan is telling the story of the beef industry as a Beef Trailblazer.   A leading figure in the Texas High Plains cotton industry is making a big career move.     More than 20 lawmakers from Texas are working to permanently kill the Death Tax.     The application period for the Texas Water Development Board’s agricultural conservation grants is now open.     There’s good news and not so good news...

*Texas cattle producers are taking full advantage of USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection program.   *Texas A&M AgriLife is offering online resources to help Texas farmers with their planting decisions.   *Getting a new Farm Bill is one of the priorities for the state’s largest farm organization.   *The National Pork Board is making strategic investments on behalf of Texas pork producers.    *East...

Animal identification and traceability topped the list of issues discussed at the Cattle Industry Convention in Orlando.     The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association launched the TSCRA Leadership Development Foundation.     The recent cold blast affected cattle performance in Texas Panhandle feedlots.   A lot of Texas High Plains ranchers are looking at the potential for herd rebuildi...

We currently have the least productive U.S. Congress since reconstruction.     Cattle producers are working to get their priority issues addressed in the new Farm Bill.     The Cattle Inventory Report shows the U.S. cow herd continues to shrink.   The number of cattle you are running can have a big impact on how much grass you are growing.     Good rain in January will be a big help for early plan...

Cattle producers and beef industry representatives from across the country are in Orlando this week for CattleCon24.   Keeping the ground covered can help ranchers grow more grass.     Students are learning more about agriculture at the Ft. Worth Stock Show.     Farmers are preparing ground in the Southern Plains.   Horses can get dental caries.   The Texas Wildlife Association and the Texas Deer...

The Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show is underway in Orlando.   Replacement heifers are a major investment for Texas cattle producers looking to rebuild their herds.     Precision agriculture technology continues to improve.     Winter finally made its way to Deep South Texas.     Horses’ eyes are more susceptible to injury than the eyes of many other animals.     Several Texans are q...

Emergency management officials are advising landowners in five Texas counties to move livestock to higher ground.      The Texas dairy herd got smaller last quarter, but milk production increased.     Economic uncertainty may keep a lid on cotton prices this year.    The winter wheat crop in the Texas Panhandle has been riding a roller coaster when it comes to the weather this season.     The Ft....

*Wheat farmers in East and Central Texas have seen an increase in Hessian Fly infestations over the past couple of years.   *Cattle prices are expected to climb this year.   *The Texas Beef Council is partnering with Texas based Brookshire Brothers grocery stores to promote beef purchases.   *The Texas High Plains has seen some very cold temperatures so far this winter.   *The rainy days across mu...

*The biannual Cattle Inventory Report is coming next week.   *Researchers at the Texas A&M Vet School has been awarded more than a half million dollars to study sterility in horses.   *The Texas Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers committee is working to support young people in agriculture.    *Animal health is important no matter what species you are raising.   *The American Farm Bureau co...

*The recent Cattle on Feed Report did not contain any surprises and had a neutral effect on the cattle market.   *Dairy cattle genomic testing is improving sustainability in the dairy industry.   *More Texas cotton gins are closing or merging with others.  *Sheep and goats are becoming more popular on the Texas High Plains.  *Caring for livestock in the cold, wet weather is a big challenge.   *Thi...

*The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention just wrapped up in Salt Lake City.   *More than 40 percent of Texas is now totally drought free.   *A Texan is in a leadership position on the American Lamb Board. *The Texas High Plains is cattle country, but there are more sheep and goats being raised in that part of the state. *The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture spoke at this week’s Americ...

*The sheep industry wants a Farm Bill.   *Work on a new Farm Bill may start in March.   *U.S. lawmakers are cautioning against listing the world’s largest meat packer on the New York Stock Exchange.   *Farmers in the Texas High Plains are being advised to watch out for a newly discovered corn disease.   *Corn growers are working to increase the use of ethanol and promoting sustainability.   *The d...

*The 2023 Cotton Marketer of the Year is Jason Moss of Pringle, Texas.   *The National Potato Expo was held last week in Austin.   *Two cases argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this week could have an impact on America’s farmers.  *Getting the most out of your irrigation system is one of the topics being covered at producer education meetings this winter.   *The beef checkoff program is helping...

*Cotton production is dropping in the U.S., mainly due to last year’s drought here in Texas.   *Texas farmers, ranchers and landowners now have more time to sign up for the continuous Conservation Reserve Program.    *Stock show season is officially underway in Texas, with the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo happening now. *Texas feedlots are full.    *The latest Census of Agriculture will be out i...

*Texas sheep producers traveled to Denver last week for the American Sheep Industry Convention.   *The Texas International Produce Association will induct five people into the Texas Produce Hall of Fame.   *The Mexican government is extending zero duty access for imports of beef, pork, poultry and other food products. *Texas High Plains feedlots are finding it difficult to keep their margins in th...

*The nation’s winter wheat crop is smaller this year.   *Corn and soybean stocks are increasing due to big crops in 2023.   *There is less wheat, but more sorghum and corn in storage in Texas.   *Single digit temperatures have dominated the last few days in the Texas Panhandle.   *Seed companies are releasing new traits available for the 2024 crop.   *Central Texas is getting good rainfall this wi...

*Texas ranchers are working hard to keep livestock comfortable during the cold.   *Texas A&M AgriLife Research is now taking applications from farmers and ranchers who are interested in joining their climate smart initiative.    *Remote monitoring of irrigation systems has been around for a while, but the technology keeps improving. *The Texas High Plains winter wheat crop is looking good. *It...

*Colder weather is here.   *Texas A&M researchers have been awarded more than $5.2 million from USDA to study ways to improve onion harvest.   *Texas Congressman Vincente Gonzales of Brownsville is introducing a bill to help farmers and ranchers along the southern border.   *The concluding round of Pioneer crop production clinics in the Texas High Plains is coming up.   *Cattle producers in th...

*The uncertain economy has a big effect on the cotton market.   *The Commodity Classic is coming to Houston.   *USDA appointed four Texans to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.   *Farmers in the water-challenged Texas High Plains need to think about how to get the most out of all available sources of moisture.   *Controlling cattle parasites is an ongoing problem.   *Burning has been used for ye...

*The American Sheep Industry Convention is underway in Denver.    *Drought levels in Texas are much better than they were a few months ago.   *The Texas Department of Agriculture’s GO TEXAN program is celebrating its 25th birthday.  *Introducing young bulls to your herd can require some patience.   *2023 was a good year for soybeans.   *Livestock show season is underway.   *Spring calving season i...