Texas Crops and Livestock Emerging Commodity News

Comptroller offers wildlife appraisal video
The Property Tax Assistance Division of the Texas Comptroller’s office has prepared a video, Wildlife Management Use and Reporting Requirements, that provides an overview of Comptroller rules related to agricultural appraisals based on wildlife management use and discusses the requirements of wildlife management plans. 

Livestock Market Update—April 2013
Cow slaughter rises as cold weather continues to encourage ranchers to cull herds, but the effect on beef herd expansion is too early to tell, say American Farm Bureau economists in their monthly Livestock Market Update.

See the full report here.

Crop Market Update—April 2013
There’s a lot to digest in this month’s 2013 Crop Market Update by the AFBF Public Policy Department Budget and Economic Analysis Team.

Be sure to read the Crop Update by Todd Davis and an Energy Update by Matthew Erickson.

But don’t miss the commentary by AFBF Economist Bob Young who talks about shaping new farm legislation within the budget realities of today. It’s a message all farm groups need to realize.

Click here for the full report.

Germplasm released to develop sorghum hybrids

Fifty new sources of sorghum germplasm have been released by the Sorghum Checkoff in collaboration with MMR Genetics and USDA’s Agricultural Research Service.

The germplasm will be used to develop new and better hybrid lines of sorghum.

Click here for more information.

Agricultural water use in Texas

Since the onset of the drought, an increasing number of individuals have openly criticized irrigated agriculture.  Some have labeled farmers as “water hogs.” Others have argued that decreasing the amount of water available for agricultural use in one region of the state would result in more water for non-agricultural uses in other regions. 

A special report released by the Texas Water Resources Institute, “Status and Trends of Irrigated Agriculture in Texas,” puts to rest these common misconceptions.  The report provides valuable perspective on agricultural water use and crop production in Texas and recognizes the efforts made by Texas farmers to improve water use efficiencies over the past four decades.
 
Click here to read the full report.

TDA permits Topguard use for cotton root rot

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced Feb. 2 that licensed and certified pesticide applicators now may use Topguard to prevent cotton root rot, a deadly plant disease affecting Texas cotton. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a Section 18 exemption for lawful application of Topguard.

Topguard must be applied by licensed and certified pesticide applicators according to all directions as indicated by the product label. For more information on Topguard or the Section 18 exemption, contact your county Extension office or TDA at (512) 936-2535 or (800) TELL-TDA. 

Monsanto develops drought-tolerant corn
Monsanto is in the process of going through the regulatory process for the introduction of a new variety of corn that displays substantial drought tolerance. This may be a viable variety for use in Texas and other areas in the Southwest that often experience drought conditions. Read more about the new, drought-tolerant corn variety.

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