Field irrigated by a pivot sprinkler system
We are nearing the end of the 2026 growing season, so it’s time to ask an important question. When is the right time to turn off irrigation? In this post, we’ll look at some of the factors that go into this decision. [Read more…] about Factors to Consider When Making Late-Season Irrigation Decisions
As defined by USDA-NRCS, a Grazing Management Plan (GMP) is “a site-specific conservation plan that contains planned grazing related conservation treatment activities for one or more resource concerns.” (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/). The element of conservation is what sets apart a GMP from a general management plan for your operation. In this article, we discuss the essential elements of a GMP and how developing a GMP specific to your operation can help in planning for pasture, profit, and performance.
[Read more…] about Grazing Management Plans: Planning for Pasture, Performance, and Profit
With cattle prices reaching record highs, it’s more rewarding than ever to be in the cattle business. It’s also more expensive than ever to raise cattle, with estimated annual production costs of nearly $1,100 per head for cow-calf operators. With these kinds of prices, it’s more important than ever to be diligent when making culling and purchasing decisions. Today, in her first article as a new author for the Ag Economics on the Plains Blog, Merri Beth Day, AgriLife Extension Economist for District 1, reviews some considerations for deciding whether to buy replacement heifers.
At the beginning of August, economists with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service initiated the 2025 Texas Custom Rate Survey. Today, we explain what this survey is, its benefits to producers, and request your help in completing the survey. [Read more…] about Announcing the 2025 Texas Custom Rate Survey
Inflation continues to concern consumers, farmers, and policymakers. In this post, we discuss how inflation has impacted prices paid by farms for production inputs. [Read more…] about Macroeconomic Trends in Agriculture: Inflation
Corn on Tuesday, Sep 17, 2024, in El Campo, Texas. (Michael Miller/Texas A&M AgriLife)
The 2025 crop and livestock budgets are available on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economics website. In today’s post, we break down the District 1, District 2, and District 3 corn and sorghum budgets and discuss what they imply about feed grain production in 2025. [Read more…] about Examining the 2025 Corn and Sorghum Budgets
Cotton on the Texas A&M AgriLife Farm in Snook, Texas on Sept. 9, 2021. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
The 2025 crop and livestock budgets will soon be available on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economics website. In today’s post, we break down the District 1 and District 2 cotton budgets and discuss what they imply about cotton production in 2025. [Read more…] about Examining the 2025 Cotton Budgets
As we enter a new year, producers are making plans for a new crop. Those plans will depend in part on their expectations regarding their costs of production. In this post, we’ll discuss our expectations for five important costs in 2025. [Read more…] about Input Costs in 2025
(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
Welcome to our final post of the year. Today, we will review the economic topics that garnered the most attention in 2024 and discuss some of the challenges we anticipate in the upcoming year. Andrew and I are wrapping up the blog for 2024. Enjoy this Holiday Season, and see you all next year!
[Read more…] about Ag Economic on the Plains – Year in Review
Does your business generate enough income to make scheduled debt and lease payments? If necessary, could that income also cover payments on additional debt? In today’s post, we’ll look at a set of financial measures that can help you answer these important questions. [Read more…] about Using Financial Ratios to Manage Debt, part 2