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Texas Ag Today is a daily look at the latest news in Texas agriculture, hosted by veteran farm broadcaster Carey Martin along with the largest and most experienced farm news team in the Lone Star State. We cover agriculture in every corner of Texas, from the piney woods of East Texas to the rocky ranges of the Trans-Pecos and from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley.
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*A Texan is the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. *Governor Abbot outlined his emergency items for this session of the Texas Legislature. *There is hope for a potential resolution to the water debt Mexico owes the U.S. *It’s unlikely that dicamba will be available for this year’s cotton crop. *Choosing the right cotton variety is very important th…
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*A Texan is now running the U.S. Department of Agriculture. *Texas farmers and ranchers may have another dry summer ahead. *This week’s Texas wheat crop ratings showed a small improvement. *Fighting cattle parasites is a never-ending problem. *Texans are raising more goats. *Burning has been used for year to rejuvenate grasslands. *Some planning is…
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*A Texas farmer testified before Congress. *New research shows dairy cattle infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus can build natural immunity to it. *Coast Packing Company broke ground on a new edible fats and oils refinery and packing facility in Amarillo. *With cotton prices so low, controlling production costs will be vital for this year’s…
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*Texas cotton acreage is expected to stay the same this year. *Texas goat producers saw a decrease in mohair production last year. *A Texas Panhandle ranch was recognized at the recent Cattle Industry Convention in San Antonio. *It looks like Texas cotton farmers will be doing without dicamba in this upcoming growing season. *A bill that would help…
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*Things are moving fast in Washington D.C. *Texas wool production was down last year. *The condition of the Texas wheat crop continues to decline. *Last year was a very dry season for Texas High Plains cotton producers. *USDA has released a new farm income forecast. *The San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo is now underway. *Planting time is here f…
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*Brooke Rollins get the thumbs up at the Cattle Industry Convention. *The NCBA is watching the tariff situation closely. *Texas continues to lead the nation in the number of cattle. *Texas citrus growers are assessing the damage from the recent freeze. *The electric company that serves the Texas Panhandle is using AI technology to help fight wildfi…
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*The annual Cattle Industry Convention is underway in San Antonio. *There are new updates to the Beef Quality Assurance program. *Texas dairy farmers produced more milk last quarter. *JBS USA announced a $150 million expansion project at its Cactus, Texas beef processing plant. *Ag groups are urging Congress to pass a new Farm Bill. *Having a diver…
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*The Texas beef cow herd grew last year, but the statistics can be confusing. *The number of sheep in Texas increased last year. *Imports of Mexican feeder cattle into the U.S. are getting underway. *There has been some very interesting weather in the Texas High Plains in recent months. *We are one step closer to having a new Secretary of Agricultu…
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*The U.S. cow herd continues to shrink. *There drought situation in Texas has improved over the past few months, but some areas of the state are still in extreme drought. *Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Cotton Specialist Ben McKnight was named the 2025 Beltwide Cotton Specialist of the Year. *The tariff war is officially underway. *The Ft. Worth Stoc…
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*Less heifers are going into feedlots. *Signup is underway for the Dairy Margin Coverage program. *Texas Congressman Jodey Arrington has introduced a bill to reduce the federal estate tax. *The Asian Longhorned Tick is a potential threat to the Texas cattle industry. *The House Ag Committee is making the Farm Bill a priority in this Congress. *A ve…
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*Mexican cattle imports should resume soon. *A young Texas couple was recognized for their work on their ranch in Sterling County. *A trailer load of cattle was found abandoned in Houston County. *Texas High Plains corn farmers have been learning more about the corn leafhopper. *The U.S. has a new administrator for the Environmental Protection Agen…
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*Placements took a drop in the most recent Cattle on Feed report. *A group of U.S. lawmakers from Texas have reintroduced a bill to combat interference in American agriculture. *The condition of the Texas winter wheat crop continues to decline. *Several Texas County Farm Bureaus were recognized at the recent American Farm Bureau convention in San A…
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*Agriculture Secretary nominee Brook Rollins had her hearing before the Senate Agriculture Committee. *Rollins continues to get high praise from the agriculture community. *House Agriculture Committee leaders were in Texas this week. *Cattle prices are strong and the outlook for 2025 is positive. *Texas Panhandle wheat is in good condition at the m…
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*Enrollment is open for the ARC and PLC programs for the 2025 crop year. *Texas soybean acreage was down last year. *The National Cotton Council is pursuing priority issues in Washington. *Two Texas lawmakers will sit on the House Agriculture Committee this session. *Urban sprawl continues to take Texas farm and pastureland. *The winter wheat crop …
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*The American Farm Bureau Convention is underway in San Antonio. *The cotton disease known as verticillium wilt is a big threat to cotton in the Texas High Plains. *The Texan nominated to be the next Secretary of Agriculture is gaining support. *Farmers and ranchers are feeding more people with less resources. *It’s been a cold winter in East Texas…
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*Texas Tech University's Livestock Judging Team brought home awards from the annual Cattlemen's Congress. *Lawmakers from Kansas and Oklahoma have introduced legislation to de-list the Lesser Prairie Chicken. *Farmers, ranchers and Farm Bureau members and staff from across the nation will be in San Antonio through Tuesday. *What is the optimal date…
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*Demand for U.S. cotton is decreasing. *A tall perennial plant found on parts of the Edwards Plateau could eventually be listed a threatened. *The condition of the Texas wheat crop has declined over the past two months. *Texas High Plains feedlots experienced a big drop in placements last month. *Several provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs A…
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*The 2024 Texas cotton crop was an improvement over the previous two years. *Texas rice production was up last year. *President Trump overturned the Green New Deal’s electric vehicle mandate. *Southeast Texas farmers and ranchers are dealing with snowfall. *Texas High Plains cattle feeders are being paid a lot of money for they cattle they are sell…
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*Mexican feeder cattle imports won’t resume this week. *The National Ranching Heritage Center and the Ranching Heritage Association are accepting nominations for the National Golden Spur and Working Cowboy awards. *A Texas cotton grower is now the chairman of Cotton Incorporated. *Cattle feeders in Texas have seen fed cattle prices climb into recor…
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*Solar grazing offers big opportunities for Texas sheep producers. *Texas peanut production was up last year. *Another cheese manufacturing facility is now open in Lubbock. *Strengthening margins is the purpose of the Master Marketer program. *U.S. Agriculture Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins will get her hearing before the Senate Ag Committee this…
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*Mexican cattle imports may resume this week. *Texas farmers produced less corn and more sorghum last year. *The National Cotton Council’s annual meeting is coming to Texas next month. *There are still many surrounding the new mandatory use of electronic ear tags in cattle. *USDA has finalized a rule that will affect Texas poultry and hog producers…
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*It’s wildfire season in Texas. *There is assistance available for Texas dairies affected by avian influenza. *Another arctic blast is coming into Texas. *Electronic ID tags for Texas cattle producers are available for free. *USDA has withdrawn a proposed rule change to the Packers and Stockyards Act. *Northeast Texas dealt with some severe weather…
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*It’s wildfire season in Texas. *There is assistance available for Texas dairies affected by avian influenza. *The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is welcoming the withdrawal of a USDA livestock marketing proposed rule. *The loss of dicamba has made it harder to keep cotton fields free of weeds. *A major effort is underway to keep screwworms …
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*It’s time for the annual American Sheep Industry convention. *U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins will not get her confirmation hearing this week. *Last week was a week to remember in the cattle market. *Opening new world markets is vital to the success of Texas farmer and ranchers. *Protecting property from wildfires is always a concern in …
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*Snowfall is beneficial for Texas pastures and rangeland. *Many Texans continues to feel the effects of La Nina. *The Texas wheat crop should benefit from last week’s snow and rain. *Texas High Plains corn producers are gearing up to fight the corn leaf hopper. *EPA is now accepting comments on proposed changes to the registration for an insecticid…
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*The 2025 Beltwide Cotton Conferences are this week in New Orleans. *Over half of Texas is still feeling the effects of drought. *Variety selection plays a big role in controlling the Hessian fly in wheat. *The 89th session of the Texas Legislature is getting underway this week in Austin. *There’s hope for work on a new Farm Bill this year. *Knowin…
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*Central Texas wheat producers are getting a break from the Hessian fly. *The nation’s first human death due to H5N1 Avian Influenza happened in Louisiana. *Five Texans are set to serve new terms on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. *A Texas Panhandle power company is working on strategies to reduce the potential for downed power l…
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*There are no signs of cattle herd rebuilding. *The Texas Department of State Health Services is beginning its oral rabies vaccine air drop this week. *The American Lamb Board is hosting a sheep grazing workshop in Texas in May. *Wildfires are burning in California, and we’re hitting peak wildfire season in the Texas High Plains. *More U.S. corn wi…
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*There is no sign of cattle herd rebuilding. *The Texas Department of State Health Services is beginning the oral rabies vaccine air drop this week. *The American Lamb Board is hosting a sheep grazing workshop in Texas in May. *The Pioneer crop production clinics are begin held around the Texas Panhandle. *We now know more about what House and Sena…
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*A winter freeze hits much of Texas this week. *Wheat prices hit multi-year lows in 2024 and the outlook for this year doesn’t look any better. *A series of crop production clinics in the Texas High Plains is getting underway this week. *Will we see a new Farm Bill in 2025? *New cotton varieties are being launched for 2025. *The Beneficial Ownershi…
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*Texas ranchers should watch closely for screwworms. *Registration is now open for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s convention and expo. *Cattle markets are expected to stay strong for 2025. *President Trump will start his second term later this month. *Diversifying nitrogen sources can help increase corn production. *2024 pres…
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*Should Texas cattle producers be concerned about screwworms entering the state? *President Trump has picked the number two official for U.S. agriculture. *Texas farmers and ranchers will be the biggest beneficiaries of the new economic aid package approved by Congress. *The Texas High Plains silage boom continues. *There will be four new faces rep…
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*Bell County farmers and ranchers had a roller coaster ride of a year. *The new Congress will be seated in Washington D.C. this week. *Cotton prices took a nosedive in 2024. *When should you call your veterinarian about problems in your sheep and goat herd? *EPA is proposing a rule that would limit the use of chlorpyrifos. *Geopolitics are having a…
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*Cattle futures were volatile during 2024. *USDA is investing another $300 million to expand food and agricultural exports. *The number of cattle in Texas feedlots is down slightly from a year ago. *The level of cow herd rebuilding in Texas is a big unknown. *There is now more time to comment on the Department of Labor’s proposed heat illness preve…
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*There has been another change to the Corporate Transparency Act reporting requirements. *There were a couple of surprises in the cattle market this past year. *There are some things you don’t want to leave out of an estate plan. *Dairy farmers and cooperatives have until the end of the year to weigh in on proposed changes to the federal milk marke…
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*This was a record year for fed cattle prices. *The deadline to apply for USDA’s Conservation Stewardship Program is coming soon. *Texas farms & ranches lose nearly $200 million a year from natural disasters. *Estate planning is an important responsibility for farmers and ranchers. *If dairy farmers vote in favor of a proposed rule, make allowances…
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*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 Orde…
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*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 b…
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*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…
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*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 prog…
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*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-you…
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*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?…
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*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 …
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*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 livestoc…
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*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 t…
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*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 p…
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*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.…
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*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 Pla…
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*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-even…
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*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 …
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