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, but that trading partnership can get a bit complicated. Handling animal health products correctly is very import...
Feb 08, 2024•23 min•Ep. 898
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. Using beef bulls on dairy cows is becoming more popular....
Feb 07, 2024•23 min•Ep. 897
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 for agriculture in the Texas Rolling Plains. Horses commonly develop joint injuries, but rehab can help to heal t...
Feb 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 896
*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 Texas is enjoying the wintertime rains. *Multiple antibiotics are approved for use in cattle....
Feb 05, 2024•23 min•Ep. 895
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 rebuilding. Weather related disasters have cost farmers and ranchers big money over the last year. The ability to bett...
Feb 02, 2024•23 min•Ep. 894
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 planting in February. Tall fescue is present in some areas of Texas, and it contains a fungus that can cause sickness ...
Feb 01, 2024•23 min•Ep. 893
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 Association both presented comments on Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance and containment zones....
Jan 31, 2024•23 min•Ep. 892
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 questioning the size and purpose of Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance and containment zones....
Jan 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 891
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. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is underway. Central Texas has been blessed with abundant rainfall. Feeding cows at night...
Jan 29, 2024•23 min•Ep. 890
*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 much of our state have caused flooding in some areas. *The Coastal Bend area of Texas is experiencing the wett...
Jan 26, 2024•23 min•Ep. 889
*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 convention wrapped up in Salt Lake City this week with several policy victories for Texas. *Many senior horses ...
Jan 25, 2024•23 min•Ep. 888
*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. *This winter’s cold weather is having an effect on plants and landscapes. *Spring calving season is just ahead. ...
Jan 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 887
*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 American Farm Bureau convention. *2024 is bringing new challenges for Texas farmers and ranchers, including so...
Jan 23, 2024•23 min•Ep. 886
*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 discussion of mental health issues on the farm are becoming more open. *Horseshoes became a necessity back in t...
Jan 22, 2024•23 min•Ep. 885
*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 support beef exports. *Two cases argued before the U.S. Supreme Court this week could have an impact on Ame...
Jan 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 884
*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 in just a few weeks. *Veterinarians have used various methods of restrain to treat unruly horses. *The Texas ...
Jan 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 883
*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 the black. *Vegetable seed producers are releasing new varieties for 2024. *Central and East Texas saw rec...
Jan 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 882
*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 winter. *With the cold temperatures we are now facing, it’s important to winterize your horse. *The special late...
Jan 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 881
*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 is important that farmers get soil nutrients prepared for planting the 2024 cotton crop. *It is meeting ...
Jan 15, 2024•23 min•Ep. 880
*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 the Texas Southern Plains have buckled down for the cold. *South Texas is getting a break from the bitter cold...
Jan 12, 2024•23 min•Ep. 879
*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 years to rejuvenate grasslands. *The lifestyle of performance horses puts them at a greater risk for developing ...
Jan 11, 2024•23 min•Ep. 878
*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 is just around the corner. *Oral rabies vaccines are being airdropped across the Texas-Mexico border this week....
Jan 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 877
*A Texan is at the helm of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. *The drought has financially stressed farmers in Texas, Louisiana and New Mexico. *The American Lamb Board is holding a grazing workshop in Temple on May 8th-10th. *Body condition scores are an important part of evaluating bulls. Interest rates have added to the cost of doing business. *Now is the time to plan your landscape for the coming year. *There are some new techniques that will help veterinarians diagnose dental disease in horses...
Jan 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 876
*Cotton acreage is expected to stay about the same as last year. *A Texas rancher’s property rights case will be heard by the United States Supreme Court. *Proper management of bulls is one topic livestock producers have been hearing about during winter meetings. *Farm income costs have come down a bit for the 2024 crop, but so have prices. *Texas 4-H and FFA members are preparing for stock show season. *Cold weather is moving into Texas, and that can have a big effect on beef cattle performance...
Jan 08, 2024•23 min•Ep. 875
*Pasture and range conditions still look poor across Texas. *Recent rainfall continues to ease drought conditions across our state. *The recent prescription requirement for certain animal antibiotics seems to be transitioning well. *Higher interest rates are having an impact on Texas farmers and ranchers. *Recent rains across Texas have helped improve conditions for Texas ranchers. *The American Farm Bureau Federation is focused on the passage of a new Farm Bill in 2024. *Equine Metabolic Syndro...
Jan 05, 2024•23 min•Ep. 874
*The first cotton acreage estimate for the 2024 crop is out. *The number of hogs and pigs in Texas has dropped. *Fuel prices are declining following a slight holiday increase. *The Pioneer crop production clinics are getting underway next week in the Texas Panhandle. *This should be a better year for precipitation in Texas. *Congress can strengthen the partnership between farmers, ranchers and food banks by investing in a program in the new Farm Bill. *Managing dry cows through the fresh period ...
Jan 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 873
*Texas cattle herds continue to shrink. *Registration is open for the Winter Garden Row Crop Conference. *The largest beef cattle show in North America is now underway at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City. *The winter meeting season has arrived in the Texas High Plains. *The farm economy outlook for 2024 is a cloudy one with high inputs and lower prices. *Ranchers in East Texas are getting 2024 off to a good start. *The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that helps fight the ill...
Jan 03, 2024•23 min•Ep. 872
*This should be a year of cooler, weather thanks to El Nino. *Farmers can now enroll or change their Farm Bill safety net program for the upcoming crop year. *Registration is now open for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association’s annual convention and trade show. *There are several things to consider when getting your farm or ranch back in order after a wildfire. *Soil tillage for the 2024 crop is already underway. *It’s time for the 62nd annual Blacklands Income Growth confererenc...
Jan 02, 2024•23 min•Ep. 871
*Deworming cattle can pay back big returns. *There is a strong potential for wildfires on the Texas High Plains right now. *We should have the results of the latest Census of Agriculture soon. *2023 was a year of ups and downs in the Rio Grande Valley. *One of the most common causes of infertility in mares is early embryonic loss. *There will soon be additional wildlife crossings in Deep South Texas.
Jan 01, 2024•23 min•Ep. 870
*Forage supplies are low across Texas as winter gets underway. *There are a lot of youth programs in agriculture. *Family farms still make up a big part of American agriculture. *Farmers and ranchers in the Texas Coastal Bend are gearing up for 2024. *The equine microbiome is the type and number organisms involved in certain systems of the horse. *The public can now weigh in on a proposal to create several new Chronic Wasting Disease zones.
Dec 29, 2023•23 min•Ep. 869
