By Julie Tomascik Editor Strong agricultural leadership can make a difference in the field and beyond the fence row. Members of Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) new AgLead-FarmLead class will develop and hone their leadership skills to help benefit Texas agriculture and their communities. “AgLead-FarmLead is an advanced agricultural leadership program designed to enhance and develop [...]
By Gary Jonier TFB Radio Network Manager With many mature toms strutting across the Rio Grande turkey range, Texas hunters should have a good shot at a long beard this spring. Jason Hardin, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) turkey program leader, said good habitat conditions could make for challenging hunting, but the middle to [...]
By Justin Walker Communications Specialist Planting season is underway in many states across the U.S., and progress is on track with previous years. Cotton, corn and rice growers have started planting their crops with no major issues as of yet, Brad Rippey, USDA meteorologist, said. U.S. cotton farmers are ahead of the five-year average of [...]
By Jennifer Dorsett Field Editor Aflatoxin contamination costs farmers billions of dollars annually, but one study shows promise for a safe, cost-effective method to control fungal contamination. Researchers from North Carolina State University have found native Aspergillus flavus strains are as effective or more effective than commercially-available strains in controlling aflatoxin levels in corn crops. [...]
By Justin Walker Communications Specialist The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released the Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report, showing signs of slower growth in herd expansion. Farrowing intentions for the current quarter and upcoming summer quarter are less than what experts previously expected, USDA Livestock Analyst Shayle Shagam said. Intentions are up only one [...]
By Justin Walker Communications Specialist Despite softening prices and lower inventories, markets for sheep and goat meat and fiber remain strong. But prices still remain high relative to their respective five-year averages. That, coupled with growing demand for meat, hair and wool, are sending a mixed signal, Bill Thompson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist, [...]
By Julie Tomascik Editor Citing concerns for livestock care and biosecurty, Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) to give livestock haulers flexibility in meeting certain hours of service requirements. This would allow the haulers to better address the unique needs of the live animals they’re transporting while still prioritizing road safety, [...]
By Julie Tomascik Editor Texas farmers and ranchers are offering assistance to Nebraska farmers, ranchers and rural communities as they struggle to recover from the state’s devastating natural disasters last month. Texas Farm Bureau donated $5,000 to the Nebraska Farm Bureau Relief Fund. McLennan County Farm Bureau also donated $5,000, and the TFB Young Farmer [...]
By Jessica Domel Multimedia Reporter It’s no surprise to the agricultural community, but the 2017 Census of Agriculture confirmed it Thursday—Texas farmers and ranchers are doing more with less and taking fewer days off to get it done. In 2017, there were 248,416 farms in Texas. That’s 390 fewer than in 2012, but 20,243 more [...]
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed the farm bill into law Dec. 20, 2018, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) then began implementation of key programs. USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public, specific to each agency’s respective [...]