Farmers and ranchers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs—two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs—for the 2020 crop year. Meanwhile, farmers who enrolled farms for the 2018 crop year have started receiving more than $1.5 billion for covered commodities for which payments were triggered [...]
Farmers and ranchers have a good story to tell regarding sustainability and climate-friendly practices, according to Andrew Walmsley, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Congressional Relations director. Agriculture, he noted, is part of the foundation of sustainability. “Sustainability’s huge for farmers and ranchers,” Walmsley said. “With the debate around climate change, we’ve got a pretty good [...]
By Jessica Domel Multimedia Reporter Over the next year, cattle entering select Texas livestock markets will be outfitted with an ultra-high frequency (UHF) back tag in lieu of the traditional paper tag. This is part of a new animal disease traceability study conducted by the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) and Texas Animal Health Commission [...]
By Julie Tomascik Editor Agritourism is a growing trend fueled by consumers, and fall is a season ripe with opportunities to dive into outdoor activities. Those farm visits help consumers connect the dots in agriculture, but agritourism venues could put landowners at risk. “Agritourism continues to grow each year in Texas,” Regan Beck, TFB director [...]
By Jessica Domel Multimedia Reporter Texas farmers paid more to rent pasture and cropland over the past year, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Pasture rent Farmers in northeast Texas paid the most to rent pasture land with an average of $14 per acre. That’s up 50 cents over [...]
Proposed changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) could mean more democracy and a more equitable program for all dairy farmers. The working group comprised of Farm Bureau members identified four priorities. “All dairy farmers should have a voice and a vote on changes to milk pricing regulation, [...]
By Jennifer Dorsett Field Editor Cotton is king in Texas. The fiber is the top cash crop in the Lone Star State, bringing in more than $2.6 billion to the state economy. But natural disasters and other factors outside farmers’ control can cause significant losses in fiber quality, leaving farmers with few options for the [...]
By Julie Tomascik Editor Financial issues, farm or business problems, as well as fear of losing the farm, impact farmers’ and ranchers’ mental health. A recent study by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) surveyed farmers and farm workers to better understand factors affecting the mental health of farmers, availability of resources, perceptions of stigma, [...]
By Julie Tomascik Editor Increasing agricultural literacy and awareness in schools and communities is a priority for the American Farm Bureau Federation and Texas Farm Bureau. A national grant program was established to fund projects that help students and adults cultivate a better understanding of agriculture. County Farm Bureaus may apply for $1,000 grants for [...]
By Jennifer Dorsett Field Editor Too much, too late. After struggling through a hot, dry summer, the region surrounding Amarillo and Lubbock has now received more than 5 inches of rain since mid-September, setting back cotton harvest for many area farmers. The Texas crop and weather report produced by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service for [...]