I just saw the first fly of the year on my windowsill this weekend. So its time to start evaluating those pest management decisions. Today we provide an example analysis of pest management decisions from an article I wrote in 2020 published in Progressive Cattle.
[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 5/9/2022 – Does Pest Management Pay?
The July board price of winter wheat has taken a significant dip from its March highs, but remains 30-35% higher than its value pre-Russia/Ukraine. At the same time, and for some of the same reasons, the cost of irrigation fuel is up 60-65%. With both factors in mind, what are the expected outcomes for late-season wheat irrigation? [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 5/2/2022 – Wheat Irrigation Analysis
(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
There is a growth market for “program cattle” for weaned calves and feeder cattle produced and marketed under a specific production system. Today, we will discuss the potential benefits of implementing these programs in your operation, and the importance of using a partial budget to analyze how profitable can be on your ranch. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 4/25/2022 – Program Cattle – Added Revenue vs Added Costs
As we approach Easter, we return to the still-hot lamb market. What are the trends in demand? What do supplies look like? What can we say about the outlook for sustained premiums in this growing market?
[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 4/11/2022 – Sheep Market Update
The risk of being in another drought is increasing day after day. It is not too soon to prepare ourselves and dust off those drought plans even if there are still chances for rain and better moisture conditions. Today we will focus on those proactive and reactive strategies that we can implement on our ranches. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 4/4/2022 – Dusting off our Drought Management Plans
(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
Dryland wheat grain and forage conditions in our area are mostly poor and very poor. The Wheat and Small Grain Decision Aids will help you analyze which is the best alternative for your wheat fields according to your expected yields, production costs, equipment, and other variables. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 3/21/2022 – Dryland Wheat Alternatives
Calf prices are up year over year. At the same time, forage availability is shrinking and grain prices are pressuring profits in the cattle feeding sector. What are the current forces to watch for in the beef cattle market and can retaining ownership increase profit potentials this year?
(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
In addition to the other horrors generated by the war, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia has destabilized commodity markets. Commodity prices incorporate a substantial risk premium due to the high chances of lower production, higher costs, and more supply chain disruptions. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 3/7/2022 – Russian Invasion of Ukraine effects in our Operations
Today we spend a bit of time on the cotton market. USDA’s Outlook Forum last week presented a case for relatively high prices against the historic average, though slightly lower year over year.
[Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 2/28/2022 – Cotton Market Update
This week, Pancho Abello gives us a market update on peanuts. While we have seen higher prices than last year, competition against corn and cotton prices and inputs costs will be key to defining contract prices and acreage this year. [Read more…] about High Plains Ag Week 2/21/2022 – Peanuts Market Update