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Grazing Management Plans: Planning for Pasture, Performance, and Profit

November 18, 2025 by merri.day

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

Filed Under: Business Management, Livestock

Changes to the LIP and LFP Programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

October 27, 2025 by merri.day

President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law on July 4, 2025. The law included changes to two disaster programs administered by the USDA Farm Service Agency: the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP). In this post, we explain the changes to these programs and how those might affect Panhandle livestock producers.

[Read more…] about Changes to the LIP and LFP Programs in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Filed Under: Ag Policy, Livestock

Building a Drought Management Plan

June 13, 2024 by pancho.abello

Droughts have had devastating effects on our operation. While 50% of the Southern Plains are not currently in a drought, the CPC-IRI Forecast has increased the likelihood of having a Niña season by the end of this summer until the end of the 2025 winter, which is correlated with lower rainfall in our area. To prepare our business for the future and ensure long-term sustainability, we must have and implement a drought management plan.

 

[Read more…] about Building a Drought Management Plan

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, Drought, Forage, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Risk Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Resources

Are you looking to improve production and profits? Join a Peer Group Today!

May 12, 2024 by pancho.abello

Peer advisory groups are an invaluable tool for progressive and business-minded ag producers. In this article, you’ll learn how peer advisory groups work, their benefits, and how you can join one. These groups offer a unique opportunity for agricultural producers to generate knowledge, improve their operations, and be more profitable!

 

[Read more…] about Are you looking to improve production and profits? Join a Peer Group Today!

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, Crops, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Risk Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Resources, Uncategorized

High Plains Ag Week 4/9/2024 – How do you measure how profitable your ranch is?

April 11, 2024 by pancho.abello

Are you looking to measure your ranch’s profitability accurately? In this article, we’ll explore how to use the Beef-Cattle Standard Performance Analysis (SPA) to measure your ranch’s production, financial, and economic performance.

 

 

 

 

[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 4/9/2024 – How do you measure how profitable your ranch is?

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Risk Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Resources

High Plains Ag Week 3/27/2024 – What are the benefits of using USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection Program?

March 27, 2024 by pancho.abello

(Courtney Sacco/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

Producers across the United States are increasingly adopting the Livestock Risk Protection Program, commonly known as the LRP, to protect themselves against falling cattle prices. Today, we will discuss the benefits of adopting this risk management tool in your operation.

 

 

[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 3/27/2024 – What are the benefits of using USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection Program?

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Marketing Plan, Risk Management

High Plains Ag Week 2/28/2024 – Wildfires

February 28, 2024 by pancho.abello

Today’s blog topic has changed, given the sad circumstances of everyone affected by the wildfires in our region. We will discuss some USDA programs available to help during these challenging times. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these fires, causing unmeasurable losses for many.

 

 

[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 2/28/2024 – Wildfires

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, Diaster Program, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Risk Management

High Plains Ag Week 1/24/2024 – Wheat Grain vs. Grazing?

January 24, 2024 by pancho.abello

(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

Wheat prices in our Texas region have been decreasing month by month, lowering profitability expectations for producers in our area. Today, we will compare and analyze what may be more convenient: wheat grain or grazing.

 

 

 

 

[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 1/24/2024 – Wheat Grain vs. Grazing?

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Risk Management, Wheat

High Plains Ag Week 1/10/2024 – Livestock Forage Program Update

January 10, 2024 by pancho.abello

The deadline for signing up for the Livestock Forage Disaster program is approaching at the end of January. Last year’s drought-hit many Texas ranchers hard, prompting significant payments across most counties. Contact your FSA office before the January 30 deadline to use this program.

 

 

[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 1/10/2024 – Livestock Forage Program Update

Filed Under: Cattle, Diaster Program, Forage, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Risk Management, Sheep, Uncategorized

High Plains Ag Week 11/10/2023 – LRP Decision Making

November 10, 2023 by pancho.abello

(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)

The USDA’s Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) program is a useful tool to help producers manage price risk.  In this post, we will explain what LRP does and how it works, and we will discuss two important decisions that producers who wish to use this tool must make. 

 

 

 

 

[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 11/10/2023 – LRP Decision Making

Filed Under: Business Management, Cattle, Cattle Prices, Drought, High Plains Ag Week, Livestock, Marketing Plan, Risk Management, Uncategorized

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