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
Ag Economic on the Plains – Year in Review
(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
Management Information System
Photo by Laura McKenzie
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
Using Financial Ratios to Manage Debt, part 2
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
Use Financial Ratios to Manage Debt
Can you borrow to finance new purchases when you need to? Or will borrowing more put your business at risk of bankruptcy? Your ability to answer these questions accurately is an important part of managing your business for long-term success. In today’s blog we’ll look at some information taken from a farm’s business records that can help you make financially responsible borrowing decisions.
USDA Management Tool to Help Mitigate Drought Losses – PRF
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
Considering the Impact of Loan Structure on Loan Cost
An important part of managing a farm business is managing debt. Producers who utilize debt effectively can increase the profitability of their operation. However, borrowing comes at a cost. Today, we’ll discuss the different types of loans available to producers and their structures. We’ll also look at how different loan structures impact the cost of borrowing.
[Read more…] about Considering the Impact of Loan Structure on Loan Cost
Understanding the Relationship Between Cotton Classing and Cotton Prices
Cotton on the Texas A&M AgriLife Farm in Snook, Texas on Sept. 9, 2021. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
How does cotton quality impact the price someone pays for it? In this post, we discuss how cotton is classed and how the classification of upland cotton might inform cotton prices. [Read more…] about Understanding the Relationship Between Cotton Classing and Cotton Prices
Wheat 2024-25 Budget and Breakeven Prices
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
To Harvest or Not to Harvest? Cotton Harvest Decisions
Cotton harvest on Oct. 20, 2021. (Courtney Sacco/Texas A&M AgriLife Marketing and Communications)
It’s almost time for producers to begin harvesting cotton in this part of the state. Today, we look at the decision to harvest low-yielding fields and discuss the costs and benefits of doing so. We also present a tool to help producers evaluate the profitability of harvesting cotton from low-yielding fields. [Read more…] about To Harvest or Not to Harvest? Cotton Harvest Decisions