Texas Agriculture Today

*Over the counter animal antibiotics are no longer available.   *The corn crop is looking great in Central Texas.   *The Texas Cattle Feeders Association estimates 4,000 cattle are dead due to recent flooding in the Hereford area. *The Texas High Plains corn crop is very important for both the farmers who grow it and the livestock producers who buy it.   *2023 is turning out to be a good year for...

*Texas cotton planting is running behind this year.   *Some cotton acreage will be planted in grain and forage crops due to insurance deadlines.   *Texas Senator John Cornyn has introduced the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act.   *The weather outlook is promising as Texas High Plains feedyards continue to work their way through the effects of recent heavy rains.   *Wheat export...

All segments of the cattle market have set new record highs this week.     A lot of Texas High Plains farmers are exploring prevented planting.     Recent rains have brought on a lot weeds this spring.     2023 is turning into a great year for agriculture in East Texas.   Injecting steroids into horses joints is very common for arthritis.     Time is running out for Texas landowners to sign up for...

*Wheat harvest is nearly one third complete in Texas.    *Registration is now open for the Texas Sheep and Goat Expo and field day.   *A former Loredo USDA animal inspector is sentenced to five years in prison for accepting bribes from Mexican cattle brokers.   *Grazing lands are coming back strong due to recent rains on the Texas High Plains.   *A Texas congressman gives his input on the 2023 Far...

*The United States is stepping up the pressure on the Mexican biotech corn ban.   *The 13th annual Central Texas Stocker Program is coming up soon.   *A Texas senator is teaming up with a Midwest Senator to take on the EPA.   *Texas High Plains cotton growers are challenged with the lack of cover to plant into.   *Heavy rains continue to disrupt the crop situation on the Texas High Plains.   *Texa...

*Texas has a new law on the books to address confusion in the labeling of meat.   *There is more upside potential in the cotton market.   *The wool industry is still dealing with the effects of Covid 19.   *First it was drought.  Now it’s flooding as the rain keeps falling on the Texas High Plains.   *May brought a lot of rainfall to just about every corner of Texas.  So what does the month of Jun...

*Wheat harvest is moving forward, but there’s much less wheat to harvest this year.   *It’s estimated that about 70 percent of the Texas wheat crop has been abandoned.   *The cattle industry is taking issue with a bill introduced in Congress that targets the checkoff.   *Making money could be a little more difficult this year for Texas High Plains farmers.   *The 88th session of the Texas legislat...

*Cotton planting is a bit behind thanks to the big rains in the Panhandle and Southern Plains, but cotton is South Texas is looking great.  *Heavy rains and hail are finishing off what's left of the Texas Panhandle wheat crop. *Feedlots in the Hereford area are dealing with flooding from the recent massive rains.   *Timely rains over the Central Texas Blacklands have been a big help for row crops,...

*It was a great legislative session for Texas agriculture, especially for efforts to strengthen Right to Farm laws.   *Farmers on the Texas High Plains have finally received the rains they’ve been waiting for, but they could use a break in the rainfall to finish planting.   *A shortage of ag labor continues to be a huge issue.   *There are some new plants available to Texas gardeners.   *A new gen...

*Cotton exports are up while domestic stocks are down.  Both of those are positive for the cotton market.   *Wheat farmers continue to benefit from the efforts of Texas A&M AgriLife wheat breeders.   *Rising interest rates are having a big effect on farmers and ranchers bottom line.   *With the month of May wrapping up, Texas agriculture is moving full speed ahead.   *Some horses do not do wel...

*West Texas sheep producers are enjoying recent rains.   *The United States Supreme Court ruled that private property rights take precedent over the EPA’s Waters of the US rule.   *The northern Texas Panhandle has gotten a lot of rain recently, but it probably won’t change the outlook for cotton there.  *The end of the school year brings on the FFA banquets across East Texas.   *Early weaning of l...

Recent rains have helped South Texas crops progress.  A pair of landowner bills have passed through the Texas Legislature.  What’s the future for the cattle contracts library? The dry gap in Central Texas finally received some rain.  It is important to have a working relationship with your veterinarian.  There are new opportunities for landowners interested in improving habitat for migratory birds...

Grain marketing specialist Dr. Mark Welch discusses what’s impacting the price of corn.  One of the negotiators who helped iron out the North American Free Trade Agreement looks back on the deal.  Recent rains may mean more dryland sorghum on the Texas High Plains. Weed control is an important aspect of forage management. Low stress cattle handling can lead to improved herd health. 

Record fed cattle prices have set the stage for more high prices to come. Recent rains have been beneficial for both farmers and ranchers on the High Plains of Texas.  The majority of agricultural machinery sold in the United States is now covered by memoranda of understanding allowing for farmers the right to repair their equipment. Storms have brought a series of high winds, heavy rains and even...

Corn and grain sorghum are progressing on the South Plains as cotton planting continues.  Recent rains have been a godsend for the Panhandle and South Plains.  A program that allows farmers to tests seed before they hit the market is entering its 16th season.  Spring storms are beneficial, but high winds and hail that sometimes accompany them can cause trauma to crops and plants.   A false claim o...

U.S. farmers are expected to plant more than 11 million acres of cotton this year.  Is the cattle contracts library working for cattle producers?  The U.S. House Budget and Agriculture committees will work together to forge a new farm bill.  Rains across the Coastal Bend have improved crop prospects.  It is critical for horse owners to work with their veterinarian to determine what is normal for t...

*Southern Plains farmers are happy to get more rain, while farmers in the Coastal Bend have had all the rain they can take.   *Former Congressman Charlie Stenholm died at age 84. *The process of filing crop insurance claims on wheat is underway on the Texas High Plains.   *Bills are making their way through the Texas legislature and onto the governor’s desk.   *Cotton planting is underway on the S...

*We are getting an in the field assessment of the wheat crop with the Kansas Wheat Quality Tour this week.   *Texas will be well represented at the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship.   *A new organization dedicated to advancing food production in the Texas Panhandle is officially opening to the public.   *Fertilizer prices have come down recently, and that’s good news as we wrap up spring pl...

*Another week of declining wheat conditions.   *Wheat harvest is underway in South and Central Texas.   *Grain markets are feeling the pressure as the latest predictions call for huge corn and soybean crops this year.   *We’re experiencing a rare moment in time where every segment of the beef industry can be profitable.   *The latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates from the Departme...

*Texas cotton farmers can now enroll in the Cotton Trust Protocol.   *A Texas livestock producer is feeding a sugarcane waste product to his cattle.   *Fed cattle prices are high right now, and that means things are going well for Texas High Plains feedyards.   *The head of agricultural research for Texas A&M AgriLife would like to see several subjects addressed in the 2023 Farm Bill.  *Techni...

*The Supreme Court rules against pork producers.    *There will be no more over the counter purchases of livestock antibiotics after June 11th.   *Bringing new innovation to agriculture and food production in the Texas Panhandle is the focus of a new organization that will become open to the public this week.  *Improving agricultural research infrastructure should be addressed in the 2023 Farm Bil...

*For many Texas farmers and ranchers this spring is a complete turnaround from last year.   *Hessian Fly is a problem in many Texas wheat fields this year.   *Having more knowledge about your cattle can translate into more money for you.  *Landowner liability and compensation bills are making their way through the Texas legislature.   *What is national food security worth, in terms of an expense f...

*Texas cotton planting is right on schedule.    *The nation’s largest wool testing lab is located right here in Texas.   *Genetics is an important consideration if you want to produce high quality beef.   *The South Texas cotton crop has faced some challenges this year with rain and cool temperatures.   *Cotton planters are finally rolling on the Texas Southern Plains.   *Downer cows are always a...

Recent rains are too little, too late for the Texas wheat crop.   Beef exports are not a high priority for the current administration in Washington.   It’s not going to be a great year for winter wheat on the Texas High Plains.   Farmers and ranchers across the nation are waiting on a Supreme Court decision on the Waters of the U.S. rule.   East Texas is seeing its share of weather changes.   Obes...

*A Texas cattle scheme leaves three dead and creditors holding debt.   *Texas cotton growers join the FiberMax One Ton Club.   *We may be looking at a season of change on the Texas High Plains as spring planting gets underway.   *The beef checkoff is selling more U.S. beef around the world.   *Bermuda grass decline happens when stands thin or die out altogether.   *Mineral supplementation is usual...