Texas Ag Today

*U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was back in Texas this week to work on the screwworm situation.  *Reporting screwworms is very important.  *Wheat growers need to book their seed now.  *President Trump has named Amarillo native John Rich as Special Envoy for American Landowners.*Texas High Plains farmers are looking at a difficult economic situation this year.  *Preventing wildfires is a year-round effort.  *Cattle producers are optimistic but cautious in East Texas.  *Heat stress can affect mineral needs in beef cattle.  

*Texas is taking a whole-of-government approach to fighting the screwworm.   *Drought conditions are improving across Texas.  *Corn planting is almost finished in Texas. *The Texas Panhandle has received some rain recently. *Sorghum midges are active in the Rio Grande Valley.  *Work continues on the Farm Bill.  *Rain has had a big effect on Texas Coastal Bend agriculture.  *The first case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been detected on a Texas dairy.  

*Texas High Plains ranchers are preparing for the possible arrival of the screwworm.  *Texas wildlife will be affected by the New World screwworm. *Cotton planting is running a bit behind schedule in the Texas Southern Plains area.  *The Federal Trade Commission is looking into high fertilizer prices.  *Pasture mealybugs are spreading across Texas.  *Parasite resistance is a very big problem in the sheep and goat industry.  

New World Screwworm cases are spreading.  A Texan has been appointed to help drive innovation in the search for technologies to combat New World Screwworms.  Canada has banned cattle imports from Texas. Governor Greg Abbot is committing state resources to combat the screwworm.A major meat science event is coming to the Amarillo and Canyon area.  Specialty crop producers can now sign up for financial assistance.  Farming activity is running at full speed in the Texas Rolling Plains.  Now is a great time to evaluate replacement ewe lambs and doeling goats.

*Farm groups are reacting to the detection of New World Screwworm in Texas.  *USDA has deployed a strike team to Texas to deal with the screwworm.*Hurricane season is here.  *The opportunity to increase base acres is an opportunity for cotton farmers in the Texas High Plains.  *The Central Texas wheat harvest is wrapping up.*Choosing a supplement for your horse can be complicated.  

*Screwworms are in Texas.  Now what?  *Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been found in a Texas dairy.  *The Texas wheat harvest is now 23% complete. *The winter wheat season in the Texas High Plains will be remembered as a crop devastated by drought.  *El Nino will affect this year's hurricane season.  *The EPA is working on the problems with Diesel Exhaust Fluid.  *Summer is creeping into Central Texas.  *Calves are worth a lot of money today, so calf survival rate is more important than ever.

*Screwworms are now in Texas.   *One crop in the Texas High Plains is off to a good start.  *Hurricane season is here.  *USDA has a plan to revitalize the cotton farm economy.  *East Texas has had a good spring so far, but there are some spots that are suffering from a lack of rain.  *Alternative therapies are used in treating performance horses.  

*The screwworm is close to Texas, but not as close as you may have heard.  *Specialty crop growers can now apply for financial assistance.  *Five Texans were appointed to serve on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board.*Parts of the Texas Panhandle have gotten some rain recently.  *Cotton Council International continues to market U.S. cotton abroad.  *The last two weeks of May brought significant rain to the Texas Coastal Bend.  *It's time to process spring born beef calves. 

Cattle feeders are profitable, but high price feeder cattle are squeezing those profits.The Farm Service Agency is sending landowners letter about potential base acre allocations.Genetics have played a big role in improving beef quality in recent years, but that's definitely not the whole story.El Niño is just getting started and could impact June weather in Texas.Spring beef calf processing is coming up. Texas veterinarian Dr. Bob Judd has some guidelines to help in the process.

New World Screwworm found in bovine just 31 miles from US-Mexico border.The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has reportedly withdrawn its mountain lion harvest reporting proposal following significant opposition. USDA is celebrating the opening of a livestock insect research lab in Kerrville. Estate planning is critical on the farm and ranch.The path to profitability is not an easy one for Texas High Plains corn farmers this year.Young people can obtain a veterinary science certificate from Texas A&M AgriLife.

Sheep and goat prices look good this spring.There's a little uncertainty about corn acreage in the Texas High Plains this year.Staff for members of the Texas Legislature are learning more about agriculture.Students at Colorado State University have developed an AI tool to help grade beef.Horn flies cost cattlemen a lot of money.

Farmers are expected to see above-average farm bill safety net payments this fall. Conditions in the Coastal Bend have switched from drought to flood.Cotton farmers on the Texas High Plains have seen a lot of challenging weather already this season.Texas legislative staff gain agricultural insights at demonstration farm.There are different options for intraarticular joint therapies in horses.

Free mental health services are available for those involved in Texas agriculture.The High Plains has finally received some rain. There are three steps that sellers of rural land should take before they attempt to market or sell their property. This time of year, busy performance horses by need anti-inflammatories for sore joints. The world's largest ammonia plant, which is expected to help strengthen the U.S.' fertilizer supply chain, is one-step closer to opening its doors.Broomsedge is an indicator plant that tells you if there's a problem in your pasture or hay meadow.

The switch to El Niño is coming.An information service can help farmers in the Texas High Plains as they face challenges with insect pressure.U.S. beef demand continues to be strong around the world.House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson gives us an update on ag labor legislation. Ultrasounds are now being used to help in the diagnosis of pneumonia in calves.

Senate Ag Committee Chairman John Boozman gives us an update on the farm bill and potential economic assistance for farmers. The cattle futures market is fighting with the cash market.Consumer demand for beef remains strong even with high prices.Market access for U.S. red meat exports continues to grow.A new strangles vaccine is on the way.

*U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins addressed TFB members in Washington, D.C. this week.*Texas cotton planting is right-on-track in Texas. *Zoetis receives additional approval for Dectomax to treat New World Screwworm.*Registration is now open for the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course.*Cattle inventories remain very tight.*The U.S. Department of Agriculture is looking for producer input for its June agricultural survey.*USDA has confirmed cases of pseudorabies in Iowa and Texas.

*China should be buying U.S. beef again.  *The latest Texas wheat crop ratings are out.   *High energy prices are helping to boost cotton prices.*Feedlots are making money, but they still need higher fed cattle prices.*Millennials are buying more beef.*There's some good news in the fight against the New World screwworms.  *Data centers are a touchy topic in Texas agriculture.*Preparations continue for the possible arrival of screwworms in Texas.  

*The feeder cattle market is red hot.  *USDA is raising the average cotton price for the marketing year.  *Nominations are open for the Texas Environmental Stewardship Award Program. *About 300 Texas farmers and ranchers are in Washington this week. *Record high fed cattle prices are good news for Texas feedlots.   *A new survey shows consumer's meat consumption priorities.  *The rising cost of fertilizer is squeezing the balance sheets of farmers across the U.S.*Screwworms are not in Texas, but we should be on the lookout for them.  

*Cattle futures trading limits are expanding.  *Hurricane season gets underway soon.   *China is expected to buy $17 billion in agricultural products from the U.S.  *Southeast Texas County Farm Bureaus hosted a Legislative Ag Day last week.  *Cotton and sorghum seem to be the best options to grow in the Texas High Plains this year.  *A few fertilizer plants have been damaged by the conflict in the Middle East.  *Farmers on the Texas Southern Plains need rain to get spring crops in the ground.  *Extracting a horse tooth is not an easy job.  

*The Trump Administration is thinking twice about interfering in the beef market.   *The Wexford Ranches of South and West Texas are recognized for their conservation work.  *More screwworm cases have been confirmed in northern Mexico. *Farmers in South Central Texas held a legislative ag day.  *The new growing season is just beginning in the Texas Panhandle. *E15 legislation is moving forward.  *Central Texas is currently in a wet weather trend.  *Mules are different from horses in many ways.  

*U.S. wheat production is taking a big drop.  *A bipartisan group of member of Congress have sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative asking for help for specialty crop producers.  *The annual Kansas wheat crop tour is this week. *Agriculture is benefitting from some important achievement in the policy arena.*The U.S. Meat Export Federation's Spring conference is next week.  *The Trump administration's plans to increase beef imports is on hold.  *It's breeding season for spring calving beef herds.  

*The wheat market got a big boost from the USDA WASDE report.   *The latest Texas wheat crop ratings are out.  *The number of heifers in feedlots is going down. *Are cotton prices high enough to make a profit?  *A state legislative committee heard testimony on the state's New World screwworm plan.  *President Donald Trump is in China for trade talks. *The crop and livestock outlook is improving in the Texas Coastal Bend.  *There are several health concerns for horses this spring.  

*Beef imports are increasing.  *Drought conditions in Texas have improved.  *The entire U.S. cotton belt is experiencing drought. *Many Texas High Plains farmers are making a gamble with dry planted cotton.  *The Buying American Cotton Act is designed to increase demand for U.S. cotton.  *Whole milk is coming back to school lunches.  *The American Farm Bureau Federation is encouraging action on year-round E15.  *Health problems for sheep and goats increase at this time of year.  

*Sterile screwworm flies are dropped in more South Texas counties.   *The Department of Justice says a new settlement will help ease consumer meat prices.  *The Texas Special Rangers is reminding livestock owners to brand their animals. *Drought continues throughout the Texas High Plains.  *Beef is winning with consumers.  *The Farmer Bridge Assistance Program has sent out over $9 billion in farm assistance.  *Volunteer plants in gardens landscapes are showing up at this time of year.  *Spring brings some health problems for sheep and goats.  

*Winter wheat fields are abandoned across the High Plains.  *USDA has designated 34 Texas as natural disaster areas. *There are multiple diseases affecting wheat in the Texas High Plains this year.  *A commitment to cotton innovation continues.  *House ag leaders say they would like to see the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement renewed. *Weed control is an important part of pasture management.  *Recent rains in parts of Texas could cause some horses to develop laminitis.  

*The debate continues over cow herd rebuilding.   *The Farm Service Agency is now accepting applications for grasslands CRP.  *The Texas Corn Producers Association is applauding the introduction of a bill to lower fertilizer prices. *Texas High Plains farmers may see a new disease threat this year.  *The Army Corps of Engineers is working on many water projects.  *The House is expected to take up E15 legislation soon.*May is here and farming activity is busy on the Texas Rolling Plains.*Moving cattle soon after breeding is not a good idea.

*Texas farmers were denied their claims against Hansen-Mueller.  *Farmer sentiment went down in April.  *Over half of the Texas wheat crop is in poor to very poor condition. *U.S. beef is being shipped to the United Kingdom duty free.  *Monitoring for pests early in the season is critical for Texas cotton producers.  *A new bill in Congress aims to reduce fertilizer costs.  *Late April rainfall has benefitted Central Texas crops and pastures.  *There are multiple options for treating laminitis in horses. 

*The cotton market is bullish.   *State and national animal health officials are investigating a case of pseudorabies virus reportedly linked to a hog facility in Texas.   *We're looking for good farm dogs.  *Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Department of Justice is investigating major beef processors.  *Corn leaf hoppers may not be much of a threat to Texas High Plains corn growers this year.  *Farmers on the Southern Plains of West Texas are getting ready to plant, but they need rain.  *What percentage of beef cows need help calving?  

*Wheat prices are having a huge rally.  *The push is on the pass the Buy American Cotton Act.  *Texas 4-H now has its own headquarters.  *Helping Texas High Plains agriculture deal with depleting groundwater supplies is a major focus for AgriLife researchers.  *Central Texas dairy farmers have a new market opportunity thanks to Walmart.  *The Farm Bill has cleared a key hurdle in Congress.  *A new topical powder has been approved to treat screwworms.

*Texas farmers are getting spring crops in the ground on time.   *The northern Texas Panhandle is still dealing with drought.  *A dairy industry group is asking federal regulators to enforce labeling rules. *Many Texas High Plains farmers are looking to get the most out of their ground water supply.  *May is a severe weather month for Texas.  *There has been a lot of talk in Washington about the Farm Bill.  *South Texas livestock producers are preparing for the screwworm, while Mexican farmers are burning fields to prepare for planting.  *Penetrating wounds on a horse's foot can be deadly.  

*The Texas wheat crop is dismal.  *Duty free shipments are on the way to the United Kingdom for the first time in five years.  *Florida has implemented restrictions on importing livestock, pets and wildlife from six South Texas counties. *Growing and marketing sorghum is a big part of Texas Panhandle agriculture.  *Cotton Council International is working to grow U.S. cotton demand overseas.  *Work is underway to help lower fertilizer costs for farmers.*The Coastal Bend has seen some drastic changes during the last month.  *Diagnostic tests can help improve a beef cattle deworming program.  

*Mexican cattle imports may never fully recover.  *Getting E15 fuel available year-round is a priority for ag groups in Washington.  *The battle to keep screwworms from crossing into Texas continues.   *Wheat diseases have been a big problem across the state this year.  *Increasing U.S. cotton exports is key to increasing demand.  *We could see a vote on the Farm Bill this week.  *The House Natural Resources Committee has proposed a comprehensive update of the Endangered Species Act. *Caring for livestock after a wildfire can be a difficult challenge.  

*Screwworm cases in northern Mexico are multiplying.  *The outlook for spring planting is bleak in the Texas Panhandle.   *USDA increased the payment factor for the Supplemental Disaster Relief program for 2023 and 2024 losses.*Rural land sales in Texas have been strong.  *U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins recently addressed concerns about USDA budget cuts.  *The money set aside for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program has almost been entirely delivered.  *The drug pentosan can treat arthritis in horses. 

*Drought continues to devastate Texas Panhandle wheat fields.  *Screwworm cases are getting closer to Texas.   *Providing for animals during times of disaster was the focus of an AgriLife training event in Amarillo.  *First quarter rural land sales in Texas were solid.  *Lawmakers discussed proposed changes to the USDA budget.  *Evaluating soil test results can help you decide the most efficient way to spend money on soil nutrients.  *There's a new treatment available for arthritis in horses.

*Are we rebuilding the beef cow herd?  *Canadian officials are not expecting many changes in the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement.  *Funding is available for landowners in the Nueces River watershed to secure conservation easements. *Introducing honey bees to cotton fields could boost yields.  *Water efficiency is key to producing a cotton crop in West Texas.  *The U.S. ag trade deficit continues to fall.  *Spring is here and farm and ranch activity is picking up in the Texas Rolling Plains.  *A new report is out about fatal hind limb fractures in racehorses.  

*The Texas wheat crop is still the worst in the nation.  *USDA has extended the deadline to submit offers for the continuous Conservation Reserve Program.  *Cotton planters are starting to roll. *The weather in the Texas High Plains has not been helpful to area beekeepers.  *Telling the story project dot org is a website dedicated to saving farmers' lives.  *Ag labor is a top issue farmers and ranchers are dealing with.  *We're in a time of growth for landscape and garden plants.  *Spring is here and so are the fire ants.  

*The latest Cattle on Feed report is out.  *Recent rainfall has eased drought in some parts of Texas.  *The Texas Water Development Board is taking comments on the draft 2027 state water plan. *Farmers and ranchers are telling their stories about farm safety.  *The new AgriLife facilities in Canyon are helping researchers meet the challenges in modern day agriculture.  *We have additional details on the new 30 million base acres.  *Corn and milo planting are getting underway on the Texas Southern Plains.  *Laser therapy is being used in horses for a variety of conditions. 

*Screwworms are moving closer to Texas.  *The U.S. Commerce Department is slightly lowering duties on some fertilizer imports.  *Texas spring planting progress is moving forward.   *A major fundraising effort has raised a lot of money for programs and projects at West Texas A&M University in Canyon.  *There are a lot of factors involved in cotton planting decisions this year.  *Just days after meeting with Texas farmers about fertilizer prices, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has an announcement on the fertilizer industry.  *The Texas Hill Country and the Winter Garden area received some much-needed rainfall.  *Prevention and treatment of grass tetany is important at this time of year.  

*Texas has the worst wheat crop in the nation.  *Wheat growers need to secure seed now for this fall's crop.  *The Texas A&M Ranch Raised Beef conference is May 14-15. *What does regenerative agriculture mean for ranchers?  *Diseases have taken a bite out of Texas wheat yields this year.  *The Trump Administration is expected to announce action this week to help ease fertilizer prices.  *East Texas has gotten some good rains.  *USDA broke ground on the new sterile screwworm fly production facility Friday.  

*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.