Texas Ag Today

*What are the net effects of President Trump's tariffs?  *USDA is preparing for its next Agricultural Resource Management survey.   *Cody and Erica Archie have been named Texas Farm Bureau's “Texas Ag Influencer of the Year.” *Micronutrients are important for cotton.  *Some farmers weren't always farmers.  *A key deadline is coming up for NRCS conservation programs.*The White House has delayed a decision about monarchs.  *Cotton gins are running on the South Plains of Texas while the harvest wraps up.*Feral hogs are causing major problems in national parks.  

*Cattle supplies may get tighter in 2026.    *Animal behavior specialist Temple Grandin would like to change the way we think about thinking.*Agricultural trade has a lot of acronyms.*Voluntary country of origin labeling will face stronger enforcement in 2026.  *Proper nutrition for the cow herd is so important as we move into the coldest time of the year.  *Careful antibiotic use is important in both human and animal medicine.  

*It has been a busy year for the Texas Farm Service Agency.   *Texas Tech's School of Veterinary Medicine is launching its first food animal residency program.   *2026 may put drought conditions behind us for a while. *Temple Grandin is a world-renowned animal behavior specialist.*High fertilizer prices are an incentive to make sure you're applying exactly what your crop needs.  *New trade deals are beneficial for sorghum growers.  *As the year draws to a close, farmers and ranchers in the Coastal Bend have a lot to be thankful for, despite a very challenging year.  *There is a new treatment for common skin tumors in horses.

*Feedlot inventories continue to drop.  *USDA's NRCS has set a single deadline for farmers and ranchers to sign up for conservation programs.  *The application period for the Texas Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is now open.  *The beef industry has made massive improvements in the quality of beef sold to consumers.  *A new pasture herbicide will be available for forage producers.  *Economic assistance is available for milk and grain losses.  *Fertilization of winter pastures should be based on soil tests.  *Researchers are studying how cattle can become infected with salmonella.  

*El Nino is moving into Texas.  *A big chunk of Texas is still dealing with drought.  *The Beltwide Cotton Conferences are coming to Texas. *It has been an eventful year for Texas High Plains cattle feeders.  *It's a new season for livestock across Texas.  *Nine U.S. lawmakers from Texas are not seeking reelection to Congress.  *As the new year approaches, there are both good and bad things happening in the Texas Rolling Plains.*Safety is a major concern in racehorses.  

*2026 doesn't look like a profitable year for corn production.  *Free RFID tags are available for hog producers.  *Texas rice acreage took a big drop this year. *Weeds can steal a lot of moisture if they get out of control.  *China is not fulfilling their Phase One trade agreement commitments. *USDA is making some changes to federal crop insurance.  *If you have a gardener in your life, there are some great choices for Christmas gifts.  *As the weather turns colder, the chances of BRD get higher.  

*There may be profitable cotton prices in 2026.  *U.S. farmers bought fewer tractors and combines last month.  *The American Sheep Industry Association is asking the federal government to investigate lamb imports. *It's been about a year since avian influenza has been found in a Texas dairy herd.*New cotton varieties will be available for 2026 for the Texas High Plains.  *USDA is making some updates to federal crop insurance.  *Central Texas is experiencing a typical cool and wet December. *GastroGuard is used to treat stomach ulcers in horses.  

*2026 could be another good year for Texas weather.   *U.S. corn exports are well above last years' pace.  *Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller is asking the Trump administration to consider letting Mexican rodeo calves cross the border.  *Feedyards in the Texas Panhandles have very low inventories.  *Central Texas cotton farmers have some new varieties to consider for next year.  *An important piece of milk legislation has cleared an important hurdle.  *Colder weather has arrived in South Texas.  *There are several things you can do to help your cow herd endure the Texas winter.  

*Mexico should begin delivering water to the Rio Grande Valley this week.   *Fed cattle prices have been rising recently.  *Texas farmers have tested new cotton varieties for 2026.  *HPAI has been found in a commercial poultry flock in East Texas.  *World wheat production is at record levels.*Regenerative medicine is becoming more popular in horses.

*More approved drug treatments are needed to battle screwworms.  *The reorganization of USDA is underway.  *Highland Dairy's East Texas plant expansion in Tyler is scheduled to begin operations early next year. *Ag producers in the Texas High Plains have an opportunity to earn a lot of CEUs this week.*New equipment innovations for Texas farmers will hit the market in 2026.  *Could lower farm equipment costs be ahead?  *Now is the time to prune trees in Texas.  *Regenerative medicine is becoming more common in horses.  

*Mealybugs are attacking Texas pastures.  *U.S. organic farmers will soon receive a letter from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.  *Cargill has no plans to close beef processing plants. *It's a slow time for farm equipment sales.  *Trade negotiations continue with China.  *Several Texans were in the room when President Trump announced the $12 billion aid package for farmers.  *Farmers and ranchers in the Texas Coastal Bend area are hoping for more rainfall this month.*Lice are common in Texas cattle herds during the winter.  

*The Texas grain harvest is almost done.  *Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is showing up in wild birds.  *The Texas Wheat Producers Board presented the  Texas Wheat Legacy Award to wheat breeder Dr. Jackie Rudd.  *Regaining access to China is good news for Texas sorghum growers.  *High input costs continue, with fertilizer playing a major role.  *Regenerative agriculture is getting a funding boost.  *Many Texas soils are acidic. *Gastric ulcers are a major problem in horses.  

*The Livestock Protection Program proved its worth this year.  *Texas cotton acreage will continue to be lower than past years.*Silage demand has been growing in the Texas Panhandle, but it may slow down this year.*This was a very good year for grain production both here in Texas and across the nation.  *The Trump administration is pushing out 12 billion dollars in financial assistance for the nation's farmers.  *Cattle nutrition is very important as we enter the coldest months of the year.  *Fall and winter are the most common times for equine asthma.  

*President Trump puts the pressure on Mexico to send water to the Rio Grande Valley.  *Drought conditions are improving across Texas.  *The Food and Drug Administration has approved another product to treat and control screwworms. *2026 is likely to be another tough year for Texas farmers.  *Grain harvest is wrapping up across the country.  *The Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission are investigating the food supply chain.  *A national political pundit spoke to Texas farmers and ranchers last weekend.  

*President Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for farmers.  *Texas weather conditions in 2025 were very unexpected.  *This has been a volatile year for cattle prices.*A Virginia cattleman will take the helm of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association next year.  *The EPA is now accepting comments for its new Waters of the U.S. rule.  *Cotton strippers are finding good yields in the Texas Rolling Plains.  *Veterinary oversight is helpful when transitioning cattle from fall to winter.  

*Cotton harvest is wrapping up in the northern Texas Panhandle.  *Rising crop prices and improved export prospects have improved farmers' outlook.  *The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is giving over $30 million to educational programming and scholarships.  *This year's Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show was attended by thousands of people, including the famous animal behavior specialist Temple Grandin.  *A global sorghum conference is coming to Texas.  *The Edwards aquifer in South Texas is at its lowest level in 35 years.*Ensuring an agricultural workforce remains a top priority for ag groups across the nation.  *Vesicular stomatitis has been found in two horses in Arizona.  

*Strong demand is supporting corn prices.  *There are signs that cow herd rebuilding is underway. *The growing importance of beef on dairy calves represents a historic change for Texas High Plains feedlots.  *The latest beef and pork export numbers are out.  *Another case of New World screwworms has been detected in northern Mexico.  *We've had a good cotton harvest in the Texas Southern Plains.  *There are some specific tests you should ask for when getting a forage analysis on your hay.  

*Rio Grande Valley citrus trees are suffering from a lack of water.  *Texas A&M is adding a new meat science and technology center in Bryan.   *The Trump administration is expected to announce an aid package for farmers next week. *What's the status of cow herd rebuilding in the Texas Panhandle? *Interest rates are moving lower.  *The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids act is moving through Congress.  *Central Texas is warmer and drier than usual this year.  *Analyzing your hay is important to determine how much hay you will need.  

*Texas cotton production is up, but acreage is down.  *Money is allocated for electronic ID tags.  *Texas feedlot inventories are much lower than a year ago. *A tight cattle supply is one of the biggest issues in the cattle industry.  *South Texas harvested an above average cotton crop this year.  *USDA is taking several actions to reduce costs for small beef processors.  *There's a new website focusing on screwworms.  

*The sorghum industry is struggling.  *USDA is estimating an increase in wheat yields and production. *It's important for farmers in the Texas High Plains to conserve water.  *Dry conditions will continue across Texas in December.  *Texas Farm Bureau continues to advocate for an updated Farm Bill.  *Coastal Bend farmers have something to be thankful about.  *The neurologic form of equine herpes virus was recently discovered in Texas.  

*Texas Farm Bureau's Annual Meeting is coming up. *An equine virus outbreak has horse owners concerned.*Finding information on the federal government's efforts to combat New World Screwworms just got a lot easier.*The Amarillo Farm and Ranch Show is just around the corner.*Goat owners should look for minerals that are palatable and affordable. 

*A record high corn crop is coming in this year.*Farmers who grow wheat in the Texas High Plains have a wide variety of ways they can market that crop. Unfortunately, none of their options look particularly strong right now. *The Texas Farm Bureau board recently discussed the need for economic assistance with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. *USDA recently released its first Cattle on Feed report since September. *Management and early life conditions are critical to a calf's success.

*The administration is reportedly considering potential trade aid for farmers.*There are some changes to the Livestock Risk Protection Program.*It's an unfortunate time for a dry spell on the Texas High Plains. *A global agricultural science company continues to develop tools to help address the ongoing water situation in Texas. *There are a lack of veterinarians practicing on livestock.

*Cattle feeders react to Tyson's announcement. *The Texas cotton crop is a much smaller one than we've seen in the past.*The new chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation shares his goals.*The Texas Farm Bureau board of directors traveled to Washington, D.C. recently to discuss issues important to agricultural like economic assistance for farmers impacted by low commodity prices.*Antioxidants are one of the supplements available for equine joint health, but all antioxidants are not effective.

*Equine herpes virus has been confirmed in Texas.   *The U.S. scrapie eradication program has been very successful.  *BASF opened enrollment for the FiberMax One Ton Club. *New corn products and traits are on the way for 2026.*The Waters of the U.S. Rule is getting changed again.  *Leaves are falling in Texas.  *Prebiotics can help protect the microorganisms that live in a dairy cow's digestive system.

*Several Texas farmers are affected by a grain company bankruptcy. *Staying profitable remain a challenge for Texas High Plains feedlots.  *Beef exports are critical to keeping cattle prices profitable. *Signup for three USDA disaster assistance programs is now underway.  *Ryegrass is a used by a lot of Texas cattle producers for winter grazing.  *Another foreign cattle disease could be headed our way.  

*World wheat supplies are growing. *The La Nina weather pattern is going to stick around in Texas for a while.  *The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo made a $150,000 donation to the State of Texas Agricultural Relief Fund. *The fed cattle market is facing a lot of uncertainty.*Mexico and Canada are preparing for the upcoming review of the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement.  *Mergers in the seed and fertilizer business may be contributing to higher prices.  *Cotton harvest is underway on the Texas Rolling Plains.  *Artificial intelligence is being used in veterinary medicine. 

*Cotton harvest is rolling fast through the Texas southern plains and panhandle.*After more than 200 years, the Farmers' Almanac is saying goodbye.*A Texas FFA member earned National Honors at the recent National FFA Convention in Indianapolis. *The U.S. Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) is up for review next year, and that was a topic of discussion at the recent U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Fall Conference.*How close is New World Screwworm to the southern US border?*Research and development and tariffs are contributing to higher seed costs.*A CEU program is coming up in Central Texas.*Scour in baby calves is common.

*The outlook for cotton prices is grim.  *Signup will begin soon for Stage 2 of the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program.   *USDA is providing funding for the Milk Loss Program and the On-Farm Stored Commodity Loss Program. *We may be able to keep the New World screwworm south of the border.  *Protecting free trade agreements around the world is vital to U.S. red meat exports.  *Fertilizer prices have gone up.   *East Texas has dried out recently, but high cattle prices and deer season have everyone in a good mood.  *There are several drugs available to treat arthritis in horses.  

*A record corn crop is coming in this year.  *Texas continues to dry out.  *The deadline to enroll acreage for the Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance Program is December 1st.   *There are some cold days ahead for Texas Panhandle ranchers.  *There is progress in the fight against the New World screwworm.  *A Farm Bureau member recently discussed higher fertilizer and seed costs with Congress.  *Fall fertilizer has been going into many fields across Texas.*Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs are commonly used to treat arthritis in horses.  

*The deadline to apply for the Emergency Livestock Relief program has been extended.  *There's news in the fight against the New World screwworm.  *Texas wheat growers did well in the National Wheat Yield Contest. *The U.S. Meat Export Federation's fall meeting was held in Indianapolis, Indiana last week.  *Plastic contamination is a continuing challenge for the Texas High Plains cotton industry.  *The government shutdown is over.  *The Rio Grande Valley continues to suffer from a lack of water deliveries from Mexico.  *It's challenging to add productive heifers to your beef herd.  

*The U.S. Meat Export Federation's fall meeting is this week in Indianapolis.  *Agriculture Secretary was back in Texas this week.  *The Texas Department of Agriculture is alerting farmers and companies across Texas to verify their delivery and payment status with Hansen-Mueller. *Ranchers in the Texas High Plains continue to prepare for the New World screwworm.  *Hurricane season is winding down.  *Congress recently heard from the woman nominated to the next chief ag trade negotiator.  *Dry weather and low prices have Coastal Bend farmers worried about next year's crop.  *Texas livestock producers are hoping winter will slow the spread of the New World screwworm.  

*Wheat planting continues across Texas.   *Young farmers and ranchers in Texas are being recognized for their hard work.  *Texas Congressman Jodey Arrington will not run for reelection next fall. *Freezing temperatures have helped to terminate the cotton crop in the Texas Rolling Plains.  *High production costs are hitting Texas corn producers hard.  *Input costs were the topic of a Senate committee hearing in Washington.*November is a transition month for Texas landscaping.  *Rehabilitation is a major part of healing tendon and ligament injuries in horses.  

*President Trump is calling for an investigation of the meat packing industry.  *We are nearing an end to the government shutdown.   *West Texas A&M hosted a groundbreaking for their new research feedlot. *Corn is a major crop for the Texas High Plains region.  *Spacing and support are important when planting trees to enhance the value of rural property.  *Sometimes Bermuda grass stands slowly thin or die over time.  *Wildlife can be affected by the New World screwworm.  

*2025 was a good year for row crops in Central and South Texas.  *The Senate Agriculture Committee has approved the nomination of a Texan to the be next USDA Undersecretary of Agriculture and Food Safety.*President Trump is weighing in on beef prices again. *Cotton harvest still has a way to go in the Texas High Plains.  *Trees can enhance the value of rural land.  *Two key fertilizer ingredients have been added to a list of critical minerals.  *Wheat planting is winding down while cotton harvest is in full swing in the Texas Rolling Plains. *Donkeys are equines, but they are a different species from horses.  

*The beef checkoff is bringing in less money.  *Drought continues to spread across Texas.  *Three senators have introduced a bill to make it easier for beef producers to sell meat directly to consumers. *As one crop season comes to an end, the planning for the next one begins.  *Winter wheat is going in the ground in the Texas Rolling Plains.  *USDA is expanding its outreach to veterans interested in agriculture.  *The cool fall has moved into East Texas.  *Salmonella is a serious problem in both humans and animals.  

*Texas feedlots have empty pens.  *Cattle producers are optimistic, while row crop farmers are not.  *Texas sorghum producers took a trip to Asia to expand trade opportunities. *The Texas Panhandle is in a dry spell. *Voters approved all 17 Texas constitutional amendments.  *The Trump administration is moving forward with the plan to buy more beef from Argentina.  *Cotton harvest is underway on the South Plains of Texas.  *Hoof health is important in sheep and goats.  

*The U.S. is not ready to open the Mexican border for livestock imports.   *The U.S. Department of Labor is bringing employees back to work to process H2A guest worker program visas.  *The American Sheep Industry Association is asking for an investigation into lamb imports. *There are a couple of different growing seasons happening in the Texas panhandle.  *Texas farmers and ranchers are addressing issues important to agriculture.  *USDA is working to improve compensation for ranchers who are affected by predators.  *CEU programs are important for Texas farmers.  *Trace minerals are commonly deficient in beef cattle. 

*The cattle futures market crash had a big effect on sale barn prices.  *Daylight Savings Time will continue.  *The Texas A&M Beef Sustainability Conference is December 8th & 9th in Dallas. *The Texas A&M AgriLife facilities in Vernon have seen a major upgrade.  *The virtual Farm to School Program brings Texas agriculture to classrooms across the state.  *The Trump Administration plans to expand access to grazing on federal lands.  *Farmers in the lower Coastal Bend have experienced another month of very low rainfall.  *Studies are being performed on ways to protect foals from pneumonia.  

*Talks continue about reopening the Mexican border to livestock imports.   *There is both good and bad news about honey production in Texas.  *Tariffs are taking a toll on the sheep industry. *AgriLife is back at work in Vernon.  *Fall weather has finally arrived in Texas.  *A Texan and Texas Tech graduate has been nominated for a top position at USDA.  *Cooler weather has moved into South Texas. *The FDA has conditionally approved a drug for prevention and treatment of the New World Screwworm.  

*Cheap corn has helped the cattle feeding industry.   *The Mexican border remains closed to Mexican livestock imports.   *Members of the Texas congressional delegation are asking the White House to respond to Mexico's failure to deliver water to the Rio Grande Valley. *Texas peanut growers are competing in a tough global market.  *Texas farmers are short on storage options for this year's grain crops.  *The U.S. and China are finally reaching a trade deal.  *Talk of buying more beef from Argentina has done some major damage to the cattle market.  *Testing horse hair can tell us some things about the horse's condition.  

*Cotton harvest is getting underway in the Texas Panhandle.  *Texas Farm Bureau named five finalists for the Excellence in Agriculture contest.  *Wheat planting is about half done in Kansas. *There has been a big increase in peanut production around the world.  *The Texas State Fair is over, after welcoming millions of people to Dallas.  *The woman nominated to be the U.S. Chief Ag Trade Negotiator was questioned about importing beef from Argentina.*Farm Service Agency offices are reopening on a limited basis despite the government shutdown. *It's important to assign a body condition score to your cows.  

*It has been a tough week for the cattle market.    *Texas Tech's School of Veterinary Medicine has reached a milestone.   *National Sorghum Producers is welcoming new trade agreements with Asian countries. *It's important to calculate the appropriate stocking rate when grazing wheat.  *The South Texas drought continues into the fall.  *A U.S. Senator has a few suggestions for ways to ensure that farmers are paying a fair price for inputs like fertilizer and seed.  *It has been a very unusual fall in Texas.  *Increased beef imports could threaten the U.S. beef supply.*A new therapy is being used for muscular skeletal problems in horses.  

*The cattle market meltdown continues.   *Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins acknowledged the rift that has formed between President Trump and the cattle industry.   *Many winter wheat farmers in the Texas High Plains plant dual purpose wheat.  *Plants can help determine flood plains, but they're not always accurate.  *President Trump has nailed down some new trade agreements on his trip through Asia.  *Hay is a high value crop.  *Ranched bison have a problem with resistant parasites.  

*President Trump vs. U.S. cattle producers*Farm Service Agency offices across the nation are open.*A dairy industry company plans to invest $200 million in East Texas. *Some important cattle numbers have gone missing. *President Trump has more trade talks coming up with China, but he has terminated talks with Canada.  *U.S. beef and pork producers are seeking new markets in the United Kingdom.  *Cotton harvest is rolling strong in the Texas Concho Valley.*There is a new drug being used in the treatment of laminitis in horses.  

*It's harvest time in the world's largest cotton patch.  *Texas feedyards have a lot of empty pens right now thanks to the Mexican border closure.  *The Texas Tech School of Veterinary Medicine has received full accreditation from the American Veterinary Medical Association. *Texas dairies and animal health officials remain on watch for avian influenza.  *Texas Southern Plains and High Plains cotton gins are gearing up for another season.  *USDA has released a plan to fortify the U.S. beef industry.  *Both planting and harvesting are underway on the Texas Rolling Plains. *Many mares cannot get pregnant due to an infection.  

*Cattle markets have been volatile over the past year.   *The cotton jassid has the potential to do serious damage to the Texas cotton crop next year.    *Texas feedlots are enjoying profitable times.  *Cotton farmers in the Texas Southern plains are expecting a much better crop this year. *A Texas congressman has introduced a bill to help the cotton industry.*Fall weather has arrived in East Texas.  *Early castration of beef calves can pay off.  

*The cattle industry has a beef with President Trump. *Senate majority leader John Thune is asking the White House to open FSA offices during the government shutdown. *The Amarillo Farm & Ranch show will be held December 2nd through the 4th. *Sorghum was a good crop on the Texas High Plains this year.*A firefighter and agricultural safety program is coming to East Texas.  *Ag groups are not happy with President Trump's proposal to buy more beef from Argentina.  *West Texas cotton producers are defoliating fields to prepare for harvest.*Steaming hay is recommended for horses with asthma, but it may not be effective.

*We are in the last stages of the Texas corn harvest.   *Drought conditions are getting worse.  *The Environmental Protection Agency has renewed a pesticide exemption to protect the Texas rice crop. *Milk production is going up in Texas.  *There are water and tax exemption amendments on the upcoming ballot.  *President Trump wants to lower beef prices for consumers.  *Young people in the Coastal Bend of Texas are learning more about agriculture.  *Most dewormers are ineffective in sheep and goats. 

*The lack of Mexican feeder cattle is pushing the cattle market higher.*This is a challenging time for Texas dairies.  *Early voting is underway for the statewide constitutional amendments election.  *President Trump says he has a plan to lower beef prices.  *Dry weather and irrigation water continue to top the news in Deep South Texas.  *The government shutdown is taking a toll on farmers.  *Intestinal parasites are a serious problem in sheep and goats.  

*The Cattlemen's Beef Board has several priorities for promoting beef this fiscal year.*The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is forecasting a good quail hunting season in Texas this year.*Deere & Co. has opened a test farm on the outskirts of Austin.*What is ahead for next season's wheat on the Texas High Plains?*The peanut industry is keeping a watchful eye on tariffs and the potential impact they may have on trade.*A dozen U.S. lawmakers from Texas are asking the Department of Homeland Security to reinstate a center at Texas A&M University they say would be helpful in protecting the state and nation against threats like New World Screwworm.*There's a new approach to cattle deworming