Texas Agriculture Today

Texas Farm Bureau Radio Network

About

Texas Ag Today is a daily look at the latest news in Texas agriculture, hosted by veteran farm broadcaster Carey Martin along with the largest and most experienced farm news team in the Lone Star State. We cover agriculture in every corner of Texas, from the piney woods of East Texas to the rocky ranges of the Trans-Pecos and from the Panhandle to the Rio Grande Valley.

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934 episodes

Texas Ag Today - March 29, 2024

*Texas cow-calf producers have a positive future ahead.   *The recent cases of HPAI in dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas are not the only cases of the disease crossing over into mammals.   *Corn planting is nearing the half-way point in Texas. *Spring planting is getting close in the Texas Panhandle.   *Farm organizations are asking the EPA to allow E-15 use in the summer.   *There are some internet access options to consider when purchasing rural Texas land. *The sun is shining, and corn is growing in the Central Texas Blacklands.  *We are in the middle of kidding and lambing season.  

22m
Mar 29, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 28, 2024

*Lufkin cattleman Carl Ray Polk was elected as president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association at their recent annual convention.   *USDA recently authorized landowners enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program to donate their grazing or haying rights to help ranchers impacted by wildfires.   *Cotton may be a profitable crop in Texas this year. *There is a lot of good looking wheat around the Texas High Plains.   *A Texas congressman visited a Texas farm, a dairy and Texas agribusinesses this week.  *High speed internet access is an important factor in choosing a rural Texas property.  *Hay season is just around the corner.   *Earlier this week, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was found in Texas dairy herds.  

23m
Mar 28, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 27, 2024

*We are seeing record cattle prices in 2024, thanks to a shrinking cattle herd and strong demand. *Helena AgriEnterprises has an update from the TSCRA convention in Ft. Worth. *The Texas Panhandle wildfires are out, but the need for relief will continue for a long time. *USDA is forecasting lower net farm income this year.   *A donation of cotton blankets to a Texas children’s hospital emphasizes the cotton industry’s dedication to communities.  *Hay season is just around the corner.   *The Texas Animal Health Commission has recently reported a positive case of equine herpes virus in Travis County. 

23m
Mar 27, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 26, 2024

*Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza was discovered in milk samples from two Texas dairies.   *This year's first case of HPAI in birds was detected a few weeks ago.   *The Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association has a new president.   *Prescribed burning may help prevent future wildfires.  *U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack clarified comments he made recently on use of the Commodity Credit Corporation funding.   *Beef can be an important source of nutrition for infants and young children.  

23m
Mar 26, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 25, 2024

*Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been found in Texas dairy cows. *Cattle traceability is a hot topic in the cattle industry right now.    *Texas High Plains feedlots are staying full.  *USDA is looking to increase its budget by over $2 billion.   *Farmers are busy with field preparation on the Texas Southern Plains.   *Coastal Bend farmers are experiencing a great start to the 2024 crop year.   *USDA is accepting applications for veterinary repayment programs in Texas.  

23m
Mar 25, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 22, 2024

*Cotton traders are watching Texas closely.   *Texas honey production fell last year.   *Farmers in the Texas Panhandle are preparing to roll the planters. *There are many stories about ranchers who survived the wildfires.   *China’s threat to U.S. agriculture was the topic of a recent hearing in Congress.   *The deadline for agricultural water conservation grant applications is coming up soon.  *Soil acidity is caused by several things.  

23m
Mar 22, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 21, 2024

*There could be a long-term benefit following the tragic Panhandle wildfires.    *Burned out ranchers have some important decisions to make.   *Cattle producers may be thinking of a herd rebuild.   *The House Ag Committee heard about the threat the Chinese Communist Party poses to U.S. agriculture.  *Corn is looking very good in South Central Texas.   *Extreme South Texas is cool and dry has spring officially arrives.   *There are two equine degenerative neurologic conditions affecting horses.  

23m
Mar 21, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 20, 2024

*Texas Teachers and students are celebrating agriculture this week.   *The area of Texas impacted by drought has risen slightly.   *Texas corn and sorghum planting are on right on pace this year.   *Cattle feeders are getting very strong prices for their animals, but that doesn’t translate into big profits. *Letting a tax cut expire could hurt American farm families.   *Winter wheat in the Texas Rolling Plains looks very good right now.  *Turf grass is an important part of landscapes in Texas.   *Spring calving beef cows are dropping calves across Texas.  

23m
Mar 20, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 19, 2024

*Planters continue to roll across Texas.   *The U.S. House Ag Committee wants to know more about the potential threat China poses to U.S. agriculture.   *The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory is asking ranchers in wildfire affected areas to watch livestock for respiratory issues.  *One way to fight trichomoniasis in cattle is to prevent it.   *The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has pressed pause on its plan to retire drought sensors across Texas.   *Most of Texas is enjoying a more normal springtime season this year.   *Spring conditions are greening up the Texas Rolling Plains.  *Lots of horses are shod on the forefeet and not on the hindfeet.  

23m
Mar 19, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 18, 2024

*A National Ag Day celebration is hosted at the Ft. Worth Stockyards.   *Researchers are looking for ways to improve the diagnosis of trichomoniasis.   *A new report outlines way to improve the H2A guest worker program.   *USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service is giving $24.7 million in grants for local agriculture.   *Warm season pastures and hay meadows are waking up.   *There is a lot of new information coming out on gastrointestinal bacteria in dairy cattle.  

23m
Mar 18, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 15, 2024

*Spring planting continues to move across Texas.   *A professor at Prairieview A&M has received a grant for an organic cotton project.   *Texas rice farmers aren’t very optimistic heading into the 2024 crop year.  *The cattle disease trichomoniasis, or trich, can cause significant losses for ranchers.   *Poultry production is expanding in East Texas.   *Future nutritionists are being instructed in culinary medicine.   *There are many equine muscle diseases that impact a horse’s performance.  

23m
Mar 15, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 14, 2024

*Wildfire aid is pouring into the Texas Panhandle from all over the nation.   *Gary Joiner is in the Panhandle with an update on relief efforts in Gray County. *All of the donations for Texas Panhandle wildfire relief have been welcome, but more will be needed. *A quarter horse in Hood County has tested positive for equine piroplasmosis.   *Nominations are open for the National Golden Spur Award and the Ranching Heritage Association’s Working Cowboy Award.  *USDA has finalized a rule under the Packers and Stockyards Act.  *Single use plastics are being produced from agricultural byproducts.  

23m
Mar 14, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 13, 2024

*The Texas Panhandle wildfires may have a long-term effect on the cattle market.    *USDA has launched a new program designed to help landowners improve quail habitat.    *The latest Texas wheat crop ratings show 44% of the crop in good to excellent condition.   *The corn market needs stronger demand to push prices higher. *USDA is finalizing a rule on what products can bear a “Made in the USA” label.   *One billion pounds of agricultural byproducts have been used to make bioplastics.   *Central Texas temperatures are warming up as we near the official start of spring.   *There are some new therapies for lameness in horses.  

23m
Mar 13, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 12, 2023

*There will be no help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for the Texas Panhandle wildfires.   *Texas farmers have just a few more days to sign up for Farm Bill safety net coverage for the 2024 crop year.    *Walmart is planning to build a milk processing plant in Central Texas.   *What effects have the wildfires had on beef production in the region? *A shortage of farm labor has been a problem for decades.   *A Texan has developed a way to use agricultural byproducts to produce plant-based plastic.   *Spring has arrived in Extreme South Texas, with citrus trees blooming and planters rolling.   *It is important to have a dry calving area for your cows.  

23m
Mar 12, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 11, 2024

*Farm groups are pushing for a new Farm Bill to be passed this year, but the chances are low.   *There are more than 230,000 farms in Texas spanning more than 125 million acres.   *Texas Panhandle feedlots didn’t lose any cattle in the recent wildfires, but they may suffer some longer term effects. *A U.S. Senator is questioning foreign ownership of farmland in the United States.   *The Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show and Rodeo is underway.    *March is always a challenge for Texas gardeners.   *Stem cells from horses’ teeth are providing insight into tooth health.  

23m
Mar 11, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 8, 2024

Texans are working together to help those impacted by the wildfires that burned over a million acres in the Texas Panhandle.  The dairy and beef industries are benefitting from beef on dairy calf production.  Youth from across Texas and beyond are in Houston competing for scholarships at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  The SEC has removed a provision that could hurt farmers and ranchers.  Researchers have evaluated dietary starch in dairy diets and the link to inflammation in cattle.

23m
Mar 08, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 7, 2024

Although fire crews are making progress, wildfires continue to take their toll on farmers, ranchers and communities in the Texas Panhandle. Texas isn’t the only state seeing declining dairy production. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz of Texas was one of the lawmakers who traveled to the Panhandle this week to see the devastation first-hand.  Experts say as farmers, ranchers and landowners begin to sift through the aftermath of the record-breaking wildfires, they should be extra cautious.  There is a new medical device for treating arthritis in horses.

23m
Mar 07, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 6, 2024

*A small Texas cow herd is now smaller following the largest wildfires in Texas history.   *The Joplin Regional Stockyards is raising money for Texas wildfire relief. *The Texas Panhandle will always be vulnerable to wildfires.  *As the wildfire recovery effort begins, it’s important to keep good records and document everything.   *The EPA has launched a new office focusing on agriculture and rural residents.   *The weather is the hot topic during winter in East Texas.   *There are multiple nutrition related diseases that can affect sheep.  

23m
Mar 06, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 5, 2024

*Wildfires continue to burn in the Texas Panhandle while ranchers are evaluating their losses.   *The Texas Farm Bureau has established the Texas Panhandle Wildfire Relief Fund.   *Texas A&M AgriLife is organizing a major supply effort to help burned out ranchers.   *A U.S. Senator says a new Farm Bill and action by the administration could help ease farmers concerns.   *Corn planters are rolling in Central Texas.   *A ridden horse checklist can help determine if your horse is lame or in pain.

23m
Mar 05, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 4, 2024

*We have more coverage of last week’s Commodity Classic in Houston. *The National Wheat Foundation honored the nation’s top wheat growers. *Timing could mean a lot of farmers looking for pricing opportunities for 2024 cotton.   *Leaders of the Senate Ag Committee are discussing their Farm Bill priorities.   *March means spring weather is near.   *Extreme South Texas is wet and cool.   *Coccidiosis can be difficult to control in young calves.  

23m
Mar 04, 2024
Texas Ag Today - March 1, 2024

*Texas farmers were hard at work at the Commodity Classic in Houston.   *The largest wildfire in Texas history has burned a massive swath through the Texas Panhandle.   *A final rule from USDA could put the U.S. cattle herd at risk for foot and mouth disease.   *Cotton prices have once again hit a dollar a pound on old crop contracts.   *Using antibiotics to help improve conception rates in horses was thought to be effective.   *High interest rates are adding more expense to rising input costs for agriculture.

22m
Mar 01, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 29, 2024

*The Commodity Classic is underway in Houston.   *The Texas winter wheat crop is showing improvement.   *There are fewer sheep and lambs in Texas compared to a year ago.   *A group of Polish farmers is touring Texas this week. *We could be headed for an active tornado season in the Texas High Plains.   *A Texas congressman is fighting a rule that would allow fresh beef imports from Paraguay. *The Texas Beef Council is looking for restaurants that serve great Texas beef.   *Coastal Bend farmers are busy planting corn.   *Extended-release deworming medication may be a more cost effective product.

23m
Feb 29, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 28, 2024

*Wildfires are burning in the Texas Panhandle.   *Obtaining an agricultural guest worker visa will cost more in a few weeks.   *The Commodity Classic is back in Texas. *The month of February will go down as a warm one for the Texas High Plains.   *Interest rates have risen, but how has that affected rural land sales?   *Several members of Congress recently took a trip to Mexico City to discuss several issues about the U.S.-Mexico border.   *Laminitis is common problem in horses.  

23m
Feb 28, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 27, 2024

*Placements took a drop in Friday’s Cattle on Feed Report.    *Texas sheep producers sheered more than 200,000 sheep and lambs last year.    *Texas dairy farmers can sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage program this week.  *A big change in the weather is coming for farmers and ranchers in the Texas High Plains.  *Mexico’s failure to comply with a water treaty has caused Texas’ only sugar mill to close down.  *The winter wheat crop in Texas is looking good this year.   *Spring-like temperatures have kept farmers busy in Central Texas.   *Calving time is underway for spring calving cows.  

23m
Feb 27, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 26, 2024

*The only sugar mill in Texas is closing.    *There are fewer goats in Texas than one year ago.    *Texas Congressman Ronnie Jackson is opposing USDA’s decision to import fresh beef from Paraguay. *Rising cattle prices are good for a lot of cattle producers, but the rise in beef prices for consumers can be a concern. *The state’s largest farm organization is working with lawmakers on a state and national level to resolve water issues with Mexico.   *Grazing will be a topic of discussion of an upcoming regenerative ranching workshop in Southeast Texas.   *This is a good time to plant trees in Texas.   *Equine asthma is a common problem in horses.  

23m
Feb 26, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 23, 2024

*The Texas winter wheat crop is looking good.   *Texas horse owners are encouraged to practice good biosecurity to protect their horses against Equine Infectious Anemia.   *Rice production in Texas is declining due to two years of severe drought.   *Farmers in the Texas High Plains are getting ready to plant sorghum.   *Several lawmakers are concerned with USDA allowing imports of fresh beef from Paraguay.   *Pork is an effective way to deliver nutrition to the human diet.   *A strong cattle market is bringing lots of cattle to the feedlots, and that could be slowing down the rebuilding of the beef herd.   *There are some things you can do to help prevent disease in pregnant does during the winter.  

23m
Feb 23, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 22, 2024

*Texas cattle producers are getting record prices for calves and yearlings.   *The Texas mohair industry brought in more than 2.8 million dollars last year. *Five Texas farmers are suing a manufacturer of biosolid fertilizer made from sewage sludge. *Forage production is increasing in the Texas High Plains thanks to the growth of the dairy industry.  *California’s new rule on pork production could create chaos in the national marketplace.   *Supplemental cattle feeding continues as winter temperatures warm up.   *The control of insulin levels in horses is related to the amount of carbohydrates in the diet.  

23m
Feb 22, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 21, 2024

*Two Texans were honored at the recent National Cotton Council annual meeting in Orlando.    *Texas A&M broke ground on a new facility dedicated to veterinary research and outreach in the Rio Grande Valley.    *Texas corn farmers will soon have another herbicide to fight resistant weeds.   *Male sterile sorghum is becoming more popular in the Texas High Plains.   *We’re moving closer to a vaccine for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.   *Stock shows across Texas depend on thousands of volunteers.   *Good rainfall and high cattle prices are making for a good winter in East Texas.   *There is a concern about nutrition in spring calving beef cows.  

23m
Feb 21, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 20, 2024

*Texas cattle producers are getting cow herds through the winter.   *Registration is underway for the Hill Country Land Stewardship Conference.   *Texas farmers and ranchers will have access to Kaput feral hog bait this spring.   *We’ve seen some big swings in the fed cattle market lately.   *Democrats in Congress have released their Farm Bill priorities.   *Livestock show season rolls on.   *The wet winter in Central Texas has saturated soils and filled stock tanks. *Internal parasites in horses are developing resistance to the deworming products currently on the market.  

23m
Feb 20, 2024
Texas Ag Today - February 19, 2024

*Texas rice farmers face a water shortage again this year.  *Over half of Texas is now drought free.   *This is National FFA Week.   *Cattle prices are at historic highs, but there are still opportunities to add value to calves. *Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are stressing the need for a Farm Bill.   *Vertical tillage can pay off in higher yields.   *Cattle producers on the Southern Plains of West Texas have good winter grazing this year. *Scours and pneumonia are the biggest challenges for raising calves in the winter.  

23m
Feb 19, 2024