*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 insecticide. *Bermuda grass plays a huge role in Texas beef production. *Planting time is just around the corner in Deep South Texas. *Disease of the suspensory...
Jan 13, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1139
*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. *Knowing the status of subsoil moisture can help farmers manage their irrigation output. *Old man winter rolled into East Texas last week. *A breakthrough in...
Jan 10, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1138
*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 lines to ignite wildfires. *An endangered species in Texas could be downgraded to the threatened category. *Identifying customers is key for direct mar...
Jan 09, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1137
*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 will now be allowed into Mexico. *The outlook for cattle prices is bright for 2025. *New leaders on the Congressional Ag Committees and in the White Hou...
Jan 08, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1136
*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 Senate leadership hope to accomplish in the new Congress. *The beef industry is working to advance sustainability in the supply chain. *With the variable ...
Jan 07, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1135
*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 Ownership Information filing requirement is once again lifted. *Managing insulin levels is one of the most important nutritional considerations in horses....
Jan 06, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1134
*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 presented quite a few challenges for plants and landscapes in Texas. *Cattle are sometimes on a nutritional roller coaster....
Jan 03, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1133
*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 representing Texas in Washington D.C. *It’s a new year, a new month, and there’s a new weather forecast for Texas. *Water was one of the top issues in Ri...
Jan 01, 2025•23 min•Ep. 1132
*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 big effect on U.S. agriculture. *USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service announced a new federal directive on testing raw milk for avian in...
Dec 31, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1131
*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 prevention rule. *2024 was a challenging year for Central Texas farmers and ranchers. *We have a record agricultural trade deficit, and it will continue in...
Dec 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1130
*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 marketing orders. *The pork checkoff is connecting more consumers with pork consumption. *This has been a good year for farmers and ranchers in Madison Cou...
Dec 27, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1129
*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 could rise. *Cattle producers should focus on producing quality beef when it comes time to rebuild their herds. *Winter pastures are growing in E...
Dec 26, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1128
*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 Orders. *There are new ways to improve weed control in 2025. *The Texas Coastal Bend is ending the year with below average rainfall. *A pheromone has been...
Dec 25, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1127
*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 butterfly as a threatened species. *There are a few things rural landowners need to keep in mind at the end of the year. *Many Texas soils are acidic. ...
Dec 24, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1126
*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 up cotton harvest. *Central Texas finally received a general, wide-spread rain. *Colic surgery has come a long way in the last 40 years....
Dec 23, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1125
*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 program in the Texas High Plains. *The average hourly rate for H2A guest worker employees is expected to rise in 2025. *Winter grazing prospects have impr...
Dec 20, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1124
*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-your-own Christmas trees are popular in East Texas. *It’s poinsettia season. *Researchers are studying parasite resistance in horses....
Dec 19, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1123
*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? *Farmers may be getting a Christmas present from Congress. Jessica Domel tells what’s in the package… *Texas cotton farmers will have some new variet...
Dec 18, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1122
*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 provide economic assistance for farmers. *Farmers in the Texas Southern Plains have wrapped up the 2024 cotton harvest. *Cooler weather has finally ar...
Dec 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1121
*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 livestock. *If Congress doesn’t take action on a Farm Bill by the end of the year, it could cause problems for dairy farmers and consumers. *Protecting stored...
Dec 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1120
*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 to rid the United States of screwworms back in the 1960’s is still being used today. *Red meat exports are expected to stay strong in 2025. *Despite a ...
Dec 13, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1119
*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 prevent the spread of New World screwworms. *2024 was a challenging year to grow corn here in Texas and around the country. *Some areas of Texas ca...
Dec 12, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1118
*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. *The Farm Service Agency is streamlining its operations. *Texan Brooke Rollins is President Trump’s pick for the next Secretary of Agriculture. What ...
Dec 11, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1117
*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 Plant Health Inspection Service announced a new federal directive on testing raw milk for avian influenza. *Winter is stressful for sheep and goats....
Dec 10, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1116
*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-evens. *Time is running out on the 118th Congress. *It is the season of giving. *Texas had a true fall this year. *Forage is the cornerstone of a working ...
Dec 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1115
*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 a lack of water deliveries from Mexico. *How will a second Trump presidency affect the U.S. Mexico & Canada trade agreement? *With a new president...
Dec 06, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1114
*Who is Brooke Rollins, Trump’s new pick for Secretary of Agriculture? *Dairy products remain affordable. *A federal judge in Texas has issued a nationwide injunction against the Corporate Transparency Act. *Silage production has seen massive growth in the Texas High Plains. *The U.S. ag trade deficit is expected to continue to grow. *Cotton farmers are increasing environmental stewardship practices. *Soil testing is the first step in efficient fertilizer use and forage production. *Texas A&...
Dec 05, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1113
*This has been an average year for feedlot profitability. *The finalists have been named for this year’s Outstanding Young Farmer and Rancher competition. *The U.S. and Mexico continue to work together on the screwworm situation. *Agriculture in the Texas High Plains is evolving. *The top ranking Republican on the Senate Ag Committee is urging congress to approve emergency assistance for farmers. *Beef exports add value for Texas cattle producers. *The dry weather continues in the Central Texas ...
Dec 04, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1112
*Mexican cattle imports are delayed until after the first of the year. *Texas’ largest farm organization is recognizing four young individuals. *Registration is underway for the American Sheep Industry Association’s annual convention. *Agriculture is the driver of the Texas High Plains economy. *A Texas congressman says it looks like we will see a Farm Bill extension instead of a full Farm Bill in this lame duck session. *Winter isn’t officially here on the calendar, but meteorologists say it’s ...
Dec 03, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1111
*Big numbers of calves have moved through the sale barns this fall, but demand remains high. *It’s time for one of the biggest agricultural events of the year in the Texas High Plains. *Dairy farmers and cooperatives have a few weeks to weigh in on potential changes to federal milk marketing orders. *December is bringing cooler temperatures to most of Texas. *While temperatures are cooler for most of the state, extreme South Texas is still hot and dry. *Equine joint supplements are very common....
Dec 02, 2024•23 min•Ep. 1110
