On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law. The law included changes to the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. In this post, we explain what has changed for PLC and how payments under this program might be affected. [Read more…] about Changes to the PLC Program in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Beef Cattle Decision Aids: Let Your Numbers Do the Talking
Let Your Numbers Do the Talking
Beef Cattle Short Course on Aug. 3, 2022 in College Station, Texas. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
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
Fall 2025 Cotton Production and Market Outlook
Cotton harvest on Oct. 20, 2021. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
As harvest time approaches, the outlook for the 2025/26 cotton crop is starting to become clearer. In this post, we examine what the latest reports from the USDA reveal about cotton production this year. [Read more…] about Fall 2025 Cotton Production and Market Outlook
How Much Can I Afford to Pay for Replacement Heifers These Days? Plus, Merri Beth Day Joins the Blog
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.
Beef-Cattle Standard Performance Analysis
(Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
The key risk management strategies for successfully running a profitable business include setting and measuring production, economic, and financial performance objectives, identifying the unit cost of production, and benchmarking against alternative production systems. As Peter Drucker said, “You can’t manage what you can’t measure.” Therefore, a profitable business needs to establish clear financial and production performance objectives.
[Read more…] about Beef-Cattle Standard Performance Analysis
Announcing the 2025 Texas Custom Rate Survey
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
LRP Use Surges as Cattle Prices Climb
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
Upcoming Workshop in Homestead, FL
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
Last Day to Sign Up for Dual-Purpose Forage Insurance
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
Analyzing the June Acreage Report
Cotton field on Sept. 2, 2021. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
On Monday, June 30, the USDA released its June Acreage Report. In today’s post, we examine the report’s implications for crop production nationwide and in Texas. [Read more…] about Analyzing the June Acreage Report