Texas Agriculture Today

• The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has reportedly withdrawn its mountain lion harvest reporting proposal following significant opposition.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.