For the past 25 years, a significant portion of Texas has faced drought conditions nearly every year. According to the latest Drought Monitor report of October 30, around 77% of Texas is currently experiencing some level of drought. The USDA provides a tool to assist ranchers during these challenging times. [Read more…] about Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance Deadline is Coming Soon

Let Your Numbers Do the Talking

With cattle markets constantly shifting and production costs on the rise, making sound financial decisions in your cow-calf or stocker operation is more important than ever. Whether you’re thinking about purchasing replacement females, retaining ownership past weaning, or evaluating a preconditioning program, there’s a tool available to help guide those decisions. The Beef Cattle Decision Aids walk you through all of these topics and much more! [Read more…] about Beef Cattle Decision Aids: Let Your Numbers Do the Talking

Over the last few years, the Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program has really taken off, especially for cattle producers in the South. What used to be a small, barely used safety net that covered just 71,000 head back in 2017 has exploded. By mid 2025, participation reached 7.5 million head. The last couple of years alone have been big, with nearly 5 million head in 2023 and over 6 million in 2024. Much of that growth comes from USDA changes that made the program cheaper and easier to use, along with the strong rebound in feeder and live cattle prices. [Read more…] about LRP Use Surges as Cattle Prices Climb

Farmers and ranchers in South Florida—mark your calendars! On Thursday, August 7, 2025, producers are invited to attend our Business Planning & Tax Management for Farmers and Ranchers workshop. This is a hands-on, half-day workshop focused on strengthening the business portion of your agricultural operation. [Read more…] about Upcoming Workshop in Homestead, FL

Today Is the Deadline to Enroll in the Dual-Purpose Annual Forage Insurance Program

If you’re a dual-purpose wheat producer in Texas, today—July 15—is your last chance to enroll in the Dual-Purpose Annual Forage Insurance Program for next season. With summer in full swing, now is the time to make risk management decisions that could make a big difference come drought season.

This USDA-backed insurance program is designed to protect operations growing annual forage crops, like wheat, for both grazing and grain. It’s been a game-changer for many producers across Texas, helping to buffer the financial blow of unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather. [Read more…] about Last Day to Sign Up for Dual-Purpose Forage Insurance

Wheat Alternatives: Maximizing Profitability in a Tough Market
With wheat prices in Texas steadily declining, farmers are once again facing tough decisions about how to maximize returns on their crops. As cash wheat prices dip below the breakeven point, alternative uses for wheat—such as grazing or baling—may offer better profitability. This year, with drier conditions than last and future wheat prices still below breakeven, it’s more important than ever to carefully evaluate your options. By comparing wheat for grain, grazing, and hay, we can determine which strategy is most financially viable given the current market. [Read more…] about Wheat Alternatives

In today’s competitive agricultural environment, a Management Information System (MIS) it’s a necessity. Whether you’re managing a small family farm or a large commercial ranch, this tool can help you make data-driven decisions, improve efficiency, and achieve your goals. [Read more…] about Management Information System

In recent years, drought has been a common occurrence in Texas. The U.S. Currently, the Drought Monitor reported that approximately 90.5% of Texas is experiencing some level of drought as of October 22, 2024 (Fig 1).  Producers are increasingly adopting the USDA’s Pasture, Rangeland, and Forage Insurance (PRF), recognizing its crucial role in supporting ranchers during these challenging times. Texas has enrolled 42.8 million acres in this program in 2024 (a 191% increase from 2011). The most exciting factor of this program is that it showed positive net benefit of indemnities over premiums in many cases. But most importantly, it generated significant payments in those years when it was needed most. [Read more…] about USDA Management Tool to Help Mitigate Drought Losses – PRF

The current downward trend in wheat prices continues to impact wheat production in our area.
The prices are currently at or below the economic breakeven levels calculated for various regions
within our districts. Additionally, higher costs and an expected dry season due to another La
Niña year are increasing the risk for ranchers this year. [Read more…] about Wheat 2024-25 Budget and Breakeven Prices

Peer advisory groups serve as a resource for farmers and ranchers by fostering collaboration, exchange of experiences, and problem-solving. By sharing information and utilizing each member’s strengths, peer advisory groups help farm businesses thrive in a competitive environment.

[Read more…] about The Impact of Peer Advisory Groups on Agricultural Producers: Enhancing Farming Practices and Business Success