Texas Agriculture Today

*The border will not open for livestock imports anytime soon.  

*JBS broke ground last week on an expansion of its beef processing plant in Cactus, Texas.   

*The lesser prairie chicken is no longer an endangered species.  

*The growing dairy industry in the Texas High Plains provides a lot of economic benefit.

*Meteorological winter is over.  

*USDA is streamlining its interactions with farmers.  

*The National Association of Conservation Districts annual convention was held in Texas.  

*Newborn calves are under a lot of stress.  

*Will Rio Grande Valley farmers get the water they need this year?  

*Farmers are signing up fast for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program.  

*There are some farm policy changes that can help cotton growers.

*New trade deals are opening doors for American sorghum growers.  

*Drought conditions are getting worse in the Texas High Plains.  

*Pork exports neared an all-time record last year.  

*It’s time to make preparation for spring gardens.  

*Horseshoes can have an effect on a horses’ hoof.  

*Planters are parked in some areas of the Coastal Bend.   

*U.S. beef production is expected to fall this year.   

*The Oklahoma Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is accepting donations to help those affected by wildfires in western Oklahoma.  

*Choosing the right cotton variety is very important in these challenging economic times.  

*Texas youth put a lot of work into preparing livestock for shows. 

*Failing to renew the U.S Mexico Canada trade agreement could take a toll on Texas farmers.  

*The current drought situation in Texas...

*Spring planting is moving ahead in the Rio Grande Valley.   

*The cost of producing a crop should come down this year.  

*The enrollment period is open for the Farmer Bridge Assistance program.

*Wildfire prevention is a big priority at this time of year.  

*This has been a dry winter for the Texas Panhandle.  

*The ag department’s latest price and production forecasts are out.  

*Local livestock shows are wrapping up, while the Central Texas wheat crop is showing the effects of the winter freeze.  

*Equine...

*Cattle feedlot inventories continue to drop.  

*USDA is calling for slightly more cotton acreage this year.  

*A Texas feedlot is closing down.

*The San Antonio Stock Show is underway.  

*It has been a warm winter in the Texas High Plains.  

*Markup of the Farm Bill has been delayed.  

*Drought is getting worse in South Texas.  

*The time of day you feed beef cows can affect when they calve.  

*The National Cotton Council had a successful annual meeting in San Antonio.

*The U.S. and Taiwan have reached a trade deal that will open doors for agriculture.

*Beef production is expected to grow this year.

*There's an interesting upside of converting cropland to grassland. 
 
*Conservationists from across the nation held their annual convention in Texas.

*USDA is now accepting applications for the Bridge Assistance Program.

*Weather, cattle markets, fruit trees and fishing are the hot topics in East Texas.

*Screwworms are closer to Texas.

*Volunteer firefighters have been giving their all to put out wildfires across the Texas High Plains.  

*There are thousands of livestock entries at the San Antonio Stock Show.  

*Growing corn silage has become a major part of agriculture in the Texas High Plains.  

*There could be congressional action on farm labor in the coming weeks.  

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced details of the bridge assistance payment program for specialty crop growers. 

*Hypothermia is common in calves at this time of year.  

*Wildfires are devastating the High Plains.

*Fed cattle sales have declined in the Texas Panhandle.  

*Beef got a big boost in the new government dietary guidelines. 

*Congressional leaders are weighing in on the US Mexico Canada trade agreement.  

*The latest farm bankruptcy data serves as another indicator of a struggling farm economy. 

*Vaccinating spring calving beef cows is very important.  

*Closing the border to livestock imports has disrupted the cattle market, but it was necessary.  

*There are fewer farms in Texas.  

*The executive director of Texas Corn Producers is retiring.  

*There are signs of cow herd rebuilding in Texas, but there are some obstacles in the way.  

*The Cattlemen’s Beef Board has a new chair.  

*The Department of Agriculture and the Department of War are working together to improve farm security.  

*The San Antonio Livestock Show is now underway. 

*Endometritis is a common cau...

*U.S. corn exports are strong.  Slaughter cattle weights are getting higher thanks to strong genetics.  

*A Texan is now leading Cotton Council International.

*Fed cattle prices are reaching record highs.  

*The beef checkoff has accomplished a lot in the past four decades.  

*A new analysis looks at the economic impact of the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement. 

*It has been a mostly warm winter for landscapes and gardens.  

*Nutrition is very important for cows both prior to and after calving.  

*Beef and dairy cross calves are having a big impact on the beef industry.   

*Signup is underway for the continuous Conservation Reserve Program.  

*USDA has issued the final Emergency Livestock Relief program payments.

*Limited water is a critical issue for Texas High Plains farmers.  

*The beef checkoff is 40 years old.  

*House ag committee leadership has released a draft of the next Farm Bill.  

*When is the right time to fertilize warm season grasses?

*Bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a big concern.  

*The National Cotton Council’s acreage estimate is out.   

*Drought conditions continue to expand across Texas.  

*The SAFE Cattle Act will help the fight against screwworms.

*Profits on cotton may be hard to find this year.  

*Stock show season is a great time to educate the public about agriculture.  

*The EPA is planning additional action on Diesel Exhaust Fluid systems.  

*It’s been a fairly mild winter on the Texas Rolling Plains, with the exception of Winter Storm Fern. 

*It’s time to get your calvi...

*The cattle industry is preparing for an unpredictable year in Washington.  

*Time is running out for Texas college students to apply for a Texas Farm Bureau scholarship.  

*Congress is considering a permanent fix for the U.S.-Mexico water treaty problem.

*November beef exports to most major markets were lower.  

*Corn silage is an important crop in the Texas Panhandle.

*Texas corn growers are asking the Justice Department for an update on their investigation into fertilizer prices.  

*The recent winter storm had an impact on the w...

*Beef demand continues to drive prices higher.  

*China has locked U.S. beef out of their market.  

*Unionized workers at the JBS meat packing plant in Greeley, Colorado have voted to authorize a strike.  

*Now is the time to focus on summer fly control. 

*What’s the outlook for corn in the Texas High Plains this year?  

*EPA has confirmed farmers’ right to repair.  

*Winter Storm Fern left its impact on the Texas Southern Plains.  

*Anthrax has been confirmed in Briscoe County.  

*The new sterile screwworm fly distribution facility is officially open in the Rio Grande Valley.

*Farm groups have a very positive reaction to the opening of the fly distribution facility.

*The focus on quality beef has paid off.  

*Texas farmers may once again use dicamba to manage weeds.  

*The FDA has authorized injectable Ivomec for the prevention of screwworms.  

*The Fort Worth Stock Show set a new record steer price.

*The Texas High Plains cotton crop last year was the best in several seasons.  

*The Catt...

Sheep and lamb inventories are down nationwide, but higher in Texas.  

Screwworms have been found on a horse in a quarantine facility in Florida.  

Registration is now open for the Texas Young Farmer and Rancher conference.

CattleFax gave the annual cattle market outlook at last week’s Cattle Industry Convention in Nashville.  

Irrigated agriculture in the Texas High Plains uses a lot of water, but it’s also a big driver of the economy.

USDA has released the first farm income forecast for the year.  

Some area...

*Showing sheep at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

*Texas High Plains farmers should consider the region’s dry climate when considering converting cropland to grassland.

*Beef demand remains strong in America.

*The House Agriculture Committee is expected to consider the Farm Bill 2.0 later this month.

*A vegan could become the next ranking member on Senate Ag. 

*It’s spring calving season. 

*How important are dairy-on-beef calves to the Texas feedlot industry?

*Farmer sentiment fell in January.

*We could be in the early stages of cow herd rebuilding in Texas.

*The cattle industry has come together in Nashville this week for CattleCon26. 

*What are the fundamentals for converting cropland to grassland in the Texas High Plains?

*Use of the H2A guestworker program is growing in Texas and the U.S.

*Transporting cattle is a necessity, but can be stressful. Texas veterinarian Dr. Bob Judd offers tips to make i...

*Mexico will deliver more water to the Rio Grande Valley.  

*Texans are raising more sheep and lambs.  

*Texas Farm Bureau is offering big scholarships to veterinary students.

*Some crop acreage may be converted to grass in the Texas High Plains.

*U.S. beef is promoted in Dubai.  

*The EPA is taking action on diesel exhaust fluid.  

*Farmers play a big role in the Super Bowl.

*An unusual case of poisoning caused the death of six beef calves. 

*The screwworm fight has moved to Texas.   

*La Nina continues to play a role in Texas weather.  

*Corn farmers in the Texas High Plains are deciding on planting dates.  

*Three horses in Wichita County have tested positive for Equine Infectious Anemia.   

*The nation’s cow herd continues to shrink.

*East Texas has dealt with some cold weather.  

*There are a lot of factors that affect pregnancy in mares.  

*The Fort Worth Stock Show is a great place to educate children about the importance of agriculture.  

*Soil sampling can help farmers and ranchers save money.  

*Winter storm Fern brought a lot of ice and freezing temperatures to a big portion of Texas. 

*The Trump administration has reached a trade deal with El Salvador that could benefit U.S. rice farmers.  

*The Coastal Bend of Texas is dealing with a high level of drought.  

*There are several things that affect pregnancy rates in mares.  

*Ranchers are assessing the after effects of the winter storm.  

*USDA is purchasing U.S. grown commodities to help those in need around the world.  

*Texans are also helping feed the hungry in our state.

*Texas cattle producers are headed to Nashville.  

*It’s important for irrigation systems to run as efficiently as possible in the Texas High Plains.  

*The Federal Communications Commission has issued a ban on many foreign made drones.  

*The big freeze affected plants of all types in Texas.  

*Prebiotics are becom...

*Calving can be tough in the middle of a freeze.  

*We'll look at how the freeze affected the Panhandle.

*A new report shows that dairy is poised to help meet protein demand.  

*The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association is disappointed after a federal judge dismisses a lawsuit challenging Texas’ ban on lab grown protein.

*Texas High Plains farmers are waiting for information on the corn leaf hopper.  

*President Trump is weighing in on year-round E15 sales.  

*Pastures and hay fields can benefit from burning.  

*There’s...

*Feedlot inventories continue to shrink.   

*There’s an investigation of Mexican tomato imports.  

*The number of screwworm cases in northern Mexico continues to rise.

*A Texas High Plains rancher is seeing red, but he's actually happy about it.

*The show goes on in Cowtown.  

*The Trump administration could soon release details on a biofuels rule that encourages fuel producers to buy more feedstocks like corn and soybeans.  

*Winter storm Fern packed a big punch in the Texas Rolling Plains.

*Cattle have a well develope...

*The first Cattle on Feed report of the year was mostly neutral.  

*U.S. dairy farmers can now sign up for 2026 through the Dairy Margin Coverage program.  

*Cow herd rebuilding should be underway.

*Some Southern Plains farmers are looking at making significant changes for the future.

*Continued innovation in seed research holds big potential for farmers.  

*USDA has launched a new tool for reporting foreign agricultural land purchases.

*The colder weather should benefit Central Texas wheat.

*Cribbing is a centuries-old problem in horses.

*Cattle prices may top out this year.  

*Applications are now open for Texas Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer and Rancher contests.  

*The new dietary guidelines for American’s contain good news for livestock producers.

*Farmers in the Texas High Plains are looking for answers to economic challenges. 

*Innovations in crop research are benefitting U.S. farmers.  

*The current spending bill moving through Congress does not include year-round E15.  

*This winter storm highlights the challenges of caring for livestock in the winter.  

*There is new research on cribbin...

*Mexico confirmed more cases of New World screwworms in northern Mexico.  

*USDA is launching the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge.  

*The outlook for cattle prices is positive in 2026.

*Tough economic times call for changes in farm management.  

*Variation in a cow’s weight could affect reproduction.

*East Texas has had a dry winter, until now.  

*Crop insurance is a very important risk protection tool. 

*Head shaking in horses can be caused by many things. 

*A federal judge has denied the State of Texas’ motion to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state’s ban on cell cultured protein.  

*The latest livestock production and price forecasts are a bright spot in agriculture this year.  

*The American Sheep Industry Association is asking for the inclusion of wool in the Farmer Bridge Assistance program.

*There are all kinds of ways that ranchers are marketing their animals.  

*The Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo puts an emphasis on agriculture.  

*The Farm Bill may address California’s Proposition...

*Screwworm cases in northern Mexico are on the rise.  

*The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal from Bayer, the maker of Roundup herbicide.  

*Nominations are open for the 2026 National Golden Spur and Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy awards.

*We still don’t have a new Farm Bill.  

*Feedyard cattle in the Texas High Plains have been putting on the pounds quickly.  

*Why do people buy rural Texas land?  

*South Texas has been warm this winter, but that’s about to change.

*Lots of pe...

*Rio Grande Valley farmers may be planting more this year.   

*Cotton harvest ran a bit late in the northeast Texas Panhandle.  

*Governor Greg Abbott made six appointments to the Texas Agriculture Finance Authority.

*Winter meeting season is underway across Texas.  

*It’s time for spring livestock shows and rodeos.  

*Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins unveiled plans to tackle farm labor costs. 

*Planning and organizing an agricultural conference takes a lot of work.  

*Researchers have found new issues with equine asthma. 

*Screwworms continue to affect the cattle market.

*Fed cattle prices have been mostly steady over the past month.  

*The Cattle Industry Convention is just a couple of weeks away.  

*Additional farm aid may be needed this year.  

*This weekend's snow and ice could damage warm season forages.

*With calf prices so high, it’s important that every cow in your herd has a calf.  

*USDA is tightening up the balance sheet for U.S. cotton.   

*Row crop farmers are facing challenges while cattle producers are experiencing record high prices.  Whole milk is back in schools.

*Herd rebuilding has begun as some Texas High Plains ranches.  

*A new South Texas sorghum variety is in the works.  

*Enrollment in the Dairy Margin Coverage program is now open.  

*Mild temperatures could be an issue for Texas peaches and pecans.  

*There are many different causes for open cows in your herd.  

*The Farm Service Agency is looking for the next generation.  

*Drought will continue to affect herd rebuilding this year.  

*The weather has been unusually warm and dry in the Texas Panhandle.  

*Fertilizer costs are a big burden on farmers.  

*There’s good news for school students and dairy producers.  

*Spring planting plans are underway across Texas. 

*Johne’s disease can affect cattle, sheep and goats.  

*A Texas Panhandle young farm couple placed second in the nation.  

*The National Cotton Council is working to increase demand for cotton.

*Congressional ag committee leaders are hoping to address ag labor issues soon.  

*Texas is one of 42 states involved in a national pork brand campaign.  

*The Texas A&M AgriLife Center in Amarillo is getting a new location and a new name.  

*South Texas has experienced a winter heat wave. 

*Vitamin A is important for cattle.  

*Another screwworm case was discovered in northern Mexico.  

*Rio Grande Valley farmers are optimistic about getting water from Mexico.

*Texas High Plains farmers are facing another tough farm economy.  

*The American Farm Bureau Federation is holding its annual meeting this week in Southern California. 

*The heads of the House and Senate agriculture committees discussed their plans for addressing the rest of the Farm Bill.

*Cotton gins continue running on the South Plains of Texas.  

*Equine Herpes Virus showed up in Texas recently.  

*Texas is preparing for the cotton jassid.  

*The U.S. is investigating strawberry imports from Mexico.  

*Drought is affecting a big chunk of U.S. winter wheat acreage. 

*Sorghum without prussic acid could soon become a reality.  

*Drones are becoming more prevalent in agriculture.  

*Lawmakers have introduced a bill that should help farmers retrofit older tractors to make them safer.  

*Equine Herpes Virus is often misunderstood.  

*The cattle market has recovered and rebounded.   

*A steer in Briscoe County has tested positive for anthrax.  

*Second and third year veterinary students can apply for the Texas Farm Bureau’s rural veterinary scholarship.

*There have been many improvements in cattle handling.  

*The Endangered Species Act has affected pesticide usage.  

*A group of Texas farmers and ranchers are in California this week. 

*January is junior livestock show time in the Coastal Bend.  

*New traceability rules went into effect about a year ago. 

*Texas continues to prepare for the screwworm.  

*Applications are open for the Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership Program.  

*The National Cotton Council is surveying growers for the 2026 NCC Planting Intentions report.  

*The corn leaf hopper could be a problem in the upcoming growing season.  

*There are a lot of farm policy challenges coming in 2026.  

*The Trump administration has released new dietary guidelines for Americans.  

*The U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement is up for review in 2026.

*Culling some ewes may benefit your sheep operation.  

*The U.S. cow herd may be stabilizing.  

*China plans to levy new tariffs on U.S. beef.  

*A Texan is now the Chief Economist at USDA. 

*There is a strong interest in planting corn in the Texas High Plains this year.  

*There are a lot of factors that determine the price of fertilizer.  

*USDA is preparing for the 2027 Census of Agriculture.  

*Eligible farmers and ranchers are now invited to apply for specific disaster relief. 

*Stringhalt is a neuromuscular disease in horses.  

*Staffing shortages are a challenge for the Farm Service Agency.   

*The Livestock Marketing Association is working to secure more flexibility for livestock haulers.  

*With current cattle prices, it’s very important to make sure every cow has a calf.  

*Could Congress finally approve year-round E15 gasoline?  

*We do not produce enough lamb meat in the U.S. to keep up with the demand for it.  

*Shivers is an equine disease common in larger horses.