Texas Ag Today

*The groundbreaking for the sterile screwworm production facility was held Friday in the Rio Grande Valley.*There's talk in Washington of another economic aid package for farmers and ranchers.*Five farmers and ranchers have been appointed to serve on the Texas Farm Service Agency state committee.*There are less cattle in Texas feedlots.*Many Texas wheat fields have been hit with disease outbreaks.*Thirty million new base acres were granted through the One Big Beautiful Bill act.*Recent rains in the Texas Coastal Bend have improved both soil moisture and farmer attitudes.*Fast growing spring pastures can lead to grass tetany in beef cattle.

*Education is a big part of fighting the screwworm.   *Solar grazing with sheep is a growing industry in Texas.  *Walmart has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. *Water conservation is a major focus of research in the Texas High Plains.  *Bovine respiratory disease can occur year-round.  *Work continues on the Farm Bill.  *Early April rainfall has been a huge help for crops and livestock in the Central Texas Blacklands.  *Cattle fever ticks have been an issue in South Texas for over 120 years.  

*Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin will be in Edinburg on Friday for the groundbreaking of the sterile New World screwworm production facility at Moore Air Base.  *The Texas strawberry season is off to a slow start.  *The Texas Farm Service Agency is hosting a quarterly webinar series called Texas Third Tuesday. *The continuing drought is creating a lot of questions about this year's Texas peanut crop.  *There are still a lot of empty pens in Texas feedlots.  *A new survey reveals how high fertilizer prices are taking a toll on Texas farmers.  *There are non traditional products that claim to increase forage production.  *All athletes should warm up before exercise, but the type of warmup can make a difference in horses.  

*Data centers are getting a lot of attention in rural Texas.   *There will be a few changes for Texas turkey hunters this year.  *Mexico may not live up to its promise to deliver water to the Rio Grande Valley. *The push is on to increase demand for U.S. cotton.  *There has been a big economic turnaround for Texas feedyards in the last few weeks.  *President Trump has weighed in on high fertilizer prices.  *Farmers on the Texas Southern Plains are preparing for spring planting.  *It's important to use the correct antimicrobial when treating animals.  

*An updated screwworm response playbook is out.  *Rising fuel and energy costs are hitting rural America the hardest.  *Texas A&M AgriLife's new regional center on the West Texas A&M campus is expected to have many benefits.  *Increasing U.S. cotton demand is a top priority for the cotton industry.  *Texas farmers and ranchers sat down with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins last week to discuss fuel and fertilizer prices.  *April is a great time of year for landscaping plants in Texas.  *Phenylbutazone is commonly used in mares.  

*The screwworm is only 90 miles away from Texas.  *USDA's April WASDE was a yawner.  *There isn't much good news for the Texas wheat crop.  *Texas specialty crop producers have until April 24th to sign up for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers program. *Plains Cotton Growers held their annual meeting last week in Lubbock.  *The battle with weeds is already underway.  *The new U.S. ag trade negotiator outlined the Trump administration's ag trade goals for the year.*Dry weather is challenging farmers in North Central Texas. *Grafting orphan calves onto surrogate cows can be done.  

*The Texas wheat crop is in rough shape.  *Cropland is getting converted to grass production in the Texas High Plains.  *Texas sheep and lamb producers can apply for a grant through the American Lamb Board. *The Texas Panhandle needs more rain for spring planting. *Cotton planted acreage is expected to go up this year.  *The White House unveiled the president's proposed budget for next year.  *The latest Feeding the Economy report is now available. *Equine enteric coronavirus cases are increasing in the northeast part of the country.  

*It's important to keep young people involved in agriculture.  *A West Texas A&M professor has received a half million-dollar grant to study liver abscesses in beef cattle.  *Texas A&M is investing $133 million in a new meat sciences and technology center. *We're seeing a shift from La Nina to El Nino.  *The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking Congress to address farm labor issues.  *Virtual fencing can benefit the budget of ranches that use it.  *The Department of Agriculture released its latest estimates for the Food Dollar Series. *A topical wound spray has been approved to treat and prevent screwworms.  

*The chances of reopening the Mexican border for livestock imports may be small.  *Farmers are running out of time to apply for the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.  *The strike is over at the Greeley, Colorado JBS beef processing plant.   *The use of virtual fencing is saving ranchers both time and money.  *Conservation efforts are addressing flood control across Texas.  *The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is allocating 30 million new base acres under ARC and PLC.  *With fertilizer prices spiking higher, knowing exactly what your soil needs is important.  *There are several ways to treat parasites in back yard chickens. 

*El Nino will bring more rainfall to Texas later this year.  *One Texas cattleman says we need to reopen the Mexican border for livestock imports. *State and national agricultural organizations are asking the Commerce Department to remove duties on phosphate imports.  *Conservation programs are underway across Texas.  *Virtual technology is becoming more common in Texas agriculture.  *USDA has released its forecasts for planted acreage this year.  *External parasites can be a problem in backyard chicken flocks.  

*A top agriculture official says the spike in fuel and fertilizer prices should be temporary.  *Calf and yearling prices have jumped higher over the past year.  *Screwworm cases in Mexico continue to grow.   *Water availability is a prime consideration when considering what type of forage to plant. *The drought has taken a toll on winter wheat in the Texas Rolling Plains.  *Rising transportation costs are hitting the feed and grain industry.  *East Texas has gotten some timely rains.  *It's foaling time.  

*Texas wheat is getting hit from all sides.   *Corn prices are lower than a year ago.  *The American Sheep Industry Association has a new executive director.   *Stronger forages can make for a stronger ranch.*The Texas FFA continues to grow with dedicated young leadership.  *E15 legislation is gaining support.  *High fertilizer prices are hurting farmers and ranchers. *Pinkeye can infect sheep and goats.  

*There will be a ground breaking soon on the sterile screwworm fly production facility in the Rio Grande Valley.   *Texas corn acreage is expected to increase slightly this year.  *Wheat acreage is expected to be the lowest in 100 years.    *Winter forage has struggled in the Texas High Plains. *It was a hot, dry March across Texas.  *The Trump administration has announced a new renewable fuels standard to help farmers.   *Rain is in the forecast for South Texas.  *Pigeon fever is a bacterial disease in horses.  

*There's the possibility of the border reopening for livestock imports.  *There are less hogs and pigs in Texas.  *Calf and yearling prices continue to set new record highs.   *A celebration of agriculture was held in Washington last week, with several Texans in attendance.*New equipment designed for processing sorghum is getting some encouraging results.   *Many Texas Coastal Bend farmers have seen no rain at all this year.  *Dehydration is a serious issue in horses.  

*It's going to be a dry spring for Texas.  *Texas farmers have a lot to be concerned about going into the 2026 growing season.     *Texas farmers and ranchers were in Washington D.C. last week. *DEF sensors are no longer necessary on diesel engines.  *There's some new equipment that's causing excitement in the sorghum industry.  *Spring is the time to fertilize lawn and garden plants.  *Electrolyte loss and dehydration are serious problems in horses.  

*High fertilizer and energy costs are taking a toll on Texas farmers.  *Drought conditions continue to get worse across Texas.   *The annual Hemphill County Beef Conference is coming up in a few weeks.  *The EPA has given Texas rice farmers another tool to fight rice delphacid.  *The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has a new scholarship initiative for rural youth.  *Growth implants usually increase the return on most calves.  *E15 gasoline blends will be available this summer.  

*Texas feedlot inventories continue to drop.   *Texas dairies produced almost 1.5 billion pounds of milk last month.  *National Sorghum Producers is asking for clear and timely guidance for the implementation of the 45Z clean fuel production credit. *The Texas High Plains continue to dry out.   *El Nino is expected to move into Texas this summer.  *We could see additional movement on the Farm Bill soon.  *Good news is hard to find right now.  *Proper injection techniques are important in cattle.  

*Texas Panhandle wheat is suffering. *There's a new pour on treatment for cattle fever ticks. *The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues to set records.  *The U.S. sheep industry is at a disadvantage compared to the rest of the world.   *USDA is launching a "Product of the U.S." public awareness campaign.  *Central Texas remains dry as Spring sets in.  *Endocrine disease is common in older horses. 

*Feedlot inventories remain steady.   *HPAI is still affecting poultry flocks across America.  *The Texas Wheat Producers Board launched “Fields of Learning.” *The Texas dairy industry has seen massive growth over the past few years.  *The National Peanut Board is funding allergy research.*Lawmakers are asking for transparency in fertilizer prices.  *Water woes continue in South Texas.  *The gestation length is cattle is supposed to be 283 days, but that isn't always the case.

*The sterile fly facility project in the Rio Grande Valley is moving forward.   *Texas crawfish production remains steady this year.  *Wildfires have devastated thousands of acres in Nebraska. *Dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle are getting more productive.  *The National Peanut Board is investing in food allergy research. *Food and ag groups are asking the Trump administration for action.  *East Texas is warming up after another cold front.  *Horse owners are at risk for serious injuries.  

*Beef production is expected to go down this year.   *Registration is underway for the David McKnight Ranch Management University.  *Enrollment is open for the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. *The strong calf market is expected to hang around for a while.  *Spring is here, but the drought continues.  *Some agricultural groups are urging Congress to take action on year round E15.  *Drought is still plaguing Coastal Bend farmers as planting deadlines are approaching.  *Determining when to treat disease in cattle can be a difficult call.  

*E15 is a priority for sorghum producers.   *The Trump administration is taking action to help lower fertilizer costs.  *Workers at the JBS beef processing plant in Greely, Colorado are officially on strike.  *The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show is underway.  *The crazy weather continues across Texas.  *The Trump administration has taken action to ease fuel and fertilizer prices.  *Thousands of young people are participating in the Houston Livestock Show.  *Cortical steroids are commonly used in equine joints.  

Spring planting has been very dry.   Sheep and goat prices are strong right now.  There is a false rumor circulating about a disease in Texas feedlots. Feedlot margins are getting tighter.  New treatments have been approved for use on screwworms.  Trade talks have started on the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement.  Wheat acreage is holding steady in Texas this year.Your behavior around the cattle chute can make a difference when working cattle.  

*Choosing the right cotton variety can make or break a crop.  *Texas honey production fell last year.  *The Houston Livestock Show's grand champion lamb sold for a record $1,000,000.   *Markets are getting tough for Texas High Plains cattle feeders.  *A good vaccination program is vital for replacement heifers.  *A new piece of legislation would help increase demand for U.S. cotton.  *Spring is nearly here.  *Lots of older horses have Cushing's disease.  

*Wheat prices are climbing higher.  *Fertilizer prices will remain high for several months.  *Mexico is reporting 14 new cases of screwworms. *Cotton has a lot of health benefits. *The National Peanut Board has made a big investment in allergy research.  Tom Nicolette reports…*The American Farm Bureau Federation has some ideas on how to increase consumption of U.S. Commodities.*Poultry litter is common source of nutrients for pastures. *Treatment for injured joints in horses depends on which joint tissues are damaged.  

*Drought is causing problems for spring planting.  *General CRP signup is underway.  *Texas peanut acreage is expected to drop this year.  *When beef on dairy calves go into the feedlot, they tend to be there for an extended stay.  *The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is underway.  *The Senate Ag Committee is discussing ways to drive demand for U.S. grown commodities.*The winter has been mild in most of Texas, but farmers may pay the price with a dry, windy March.  *There are studies on a new way to castrate calves.  

*Wheat prices have taken a big jump.  *The FDA is giving Texans another tool to fight screwworms.   *There could be more farm financial aid coming from Washington.   *Texas High Plains dairies are responding to the water challenge.*Easements can affect Texas rural property.  *Tensions in the Middle East continue to weigh on fertilizer prices.  *Farmers on the Texas Southern Plains are preparing for spring planting. *Vitamin E is an important vitamin for horses.  

*The Texas High Plains wheat crop needs rain.  *Farmer sentiment rebounded last month.  *The Texas Wheat Producers Board will implement a new small grain silage assessment for the 2026 harvest. *New technology is boosting sorghum silage.  *Easements can affect the value of rural Texas land.  *The conflict in Iran is having an impact on fertilizer prices.  *South Texas has a serious need for rain.  *Rabies is a viral disease that can affect sheep and goats.  

*The Iran conflict is causing serious supply disruptions.   *The review process for the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement is about to begin.  *USDA has announced a construction contract to build the new sterile screwworm fly production facility in the Rio Grande Valley.   *We could see more sorghum in the Texas High Plains this year.  *The Natural Resources Conservation Service outlined priorities for 2026.  *USDA is modernizing some of its systems.  *The Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association's annual Stockman's Sale is this weekend in San Angelo.*Does supplementing bred beef heifers increase calving difficulty? 

*Solar grazing offers an opportunity for Texas sheep producers.  *This could be a good spring for Texas turkey hunters.  *The Commodity Classic set a record attendance at the recent event in San Antonio.   *Beef on dairy calves are doing more than just filling the gaps in Texas feedyards.  *One of the newer BRD medications is called Pradalex.  *The Department of Justice is looking into U.S. fertilizer prices.  *There haven't been many planters rolling in the lower Texas Coastal Bend.  *There are different categories of drugs for horses.  

*Some parts of Texas are getting much needed rain.  *Drought continues to spread across the state.  *Cotton state lawmakers are asking the Trump administration to convince India to drop tariffs on U.S. cotton. *The Texas dairy industry is facing tough times.  *The National Association of Conservation Districts annual meeting was held recently in San Antonio.  *The Farm Bill is moving forward.  *The American Farm Bureau Federation is asking to congress to pass a new Farm Bill.  *Electro acupuncture is being studied for treating head shaking in horses.  

*Texas will have a new Commissioner of Agriculture next year.   *Corn acreage is switching to soybeans this season.  *Texas sheep producers are in Washington this week.   *Texas High Plains farmers are responding to a bizarre winter.  *New pasture and range products are available this year.  *The House Agriculture Committee has been hard at work on the Farm Bill.  *USDA economists predict some shifting crop acres as farmers continue to face a difficult economy. *Some of the medication used in horses are approved as medical devices. 

*Spring will bring an increased threat of screwworms in Deep South Texas.  *Officials from the U.S. and Canada are meeting soon to discuss the USMCA.  *The Texas Peanut Industry Roundtable is Thursday, March 5th in Stephenville.  *The Hemphill County Beef Conference is scheduled for April 28th & 29th in Canadian. *The outlook for corn leafhoppers this year is promising on the Texas High Plains.  *La Nina has caused some volatile weather swings this winter.  *Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins rolled out five key commitments for the upcoming year.  *East Texas needs some rain in a bad way.*Ivomec has been approved for prevention of the new world screwworm in cattle.  

*The Secretary of Agriculture visited a Texas farm.   *Fed cattle prices are setting record highs.  *The International Livestock Congress is this week during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. *Texas Panhandle dairies need a lot of water to operate.  *There's some new hay equipment coming out this year.  *The chairman of the House Agriculture Committee was in Texas last week.  *Corn planting is getting underway in Central Texas.  *There are a couple of way to give an equine herpes virus vaccine.  

*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 does not bode well for spring forages.  *It's time to get ready for lambing and kidding.  

*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 Infectious Anemia was recently found in Wichita County.  

*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 cause of infertility in mares.  

*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 calving kit ready.   

*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 wheat crop in Central Texas.  *Pastern dermatitis is common in horses.  

*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 Cattle Industry Convention was last week in Nashville.  *Shockwave therapy can help some horses.  

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 areas of South Texas hit record lows during the recent freeze.  Shockwave therapy may be helpful to some horses.  

*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.