Farm & Ranch

Texas crop and weather, Nov. 10, 2015

Published

11 years ago

November 11, 2015

NTFR

By: Blair Fannin

Cattle prices softening due to U.S. herd expansion

Writer: Blair Fannin, 979-845-2259, b-fannin@tamu.edu

Contacts: Dr. David Anderson, 979-845-4351, danderson@tamu.edu

Dr. Clark Neely, 979-862-1412, cbneely@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – The nation’s beef cattle producers are in expansion mode and record-high cattle prices have likely seen a top, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock marketing economist.

“Over the long term, we are continuing to expand and prices are coming down from record highs because we are expanding herds,” said Dr. David Anderson, College Station. “We are starting to increase supplies and calf prices have been coming down. However, we will still see high prices since it will take some time to build our inventory back up.”

Calves continue to be sold at local auction markets across Texas as part of fall livestock activities. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Dr. Clark Neely, AgriLife Extension small grains specialist in College Station, said recent rains will help forage and wheat growth, benefiting stocker cattle operators across the state. “As of right now with all the rain we’ve had, we’ve got full soil profiles,” he said. “Right now we are just having issues with portions of Central, South Central and Eastern Texas getting the crop in the ground. The High Plains and Rolling Plains did get it in the ground in a timely manner and have an above-normal crop rating. With all the moisture we’ve had, we’ve got good grazing potential for stocker cattle operators.”

Beef demand continues to be strong and Anderson said this has helped during times of record retail prices.

“I don’t think we’d have had prices where they were if it weren’t for consumer demand,” he said. “If you put consumer demand and price together, I think that’s pretty compelling for higher prices.”

Anderson pointed to the rise in gourmet hamburger chains across the U.S.

“You have this huge growth in these specialized burger restaurants,” he said. “This coincides with one of the fewest supplies of cows in several decades. The second driver is the popularity of Texas style barbecue. We’ve seen huge growth in barbecue restaurants nationwide. This comes at a time when we’ve also got the fewest cows. Overall, this is the strongest demand for beef in 25 years.”

Beef cattle demand continues to be strong during times of record retail prices, said Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock marketing economist, College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

Looking ahead to future cattle prices, Anderson said there are currently 2 percent more cows and 2 percent more calves in the U.S. than a year ago.

“Through 2017, I’ve got every quarter of the year projected with more beef production than the year before,” he said. “I think we can continue to look for strong cattle prices and positive-side demand for beef.”

Recent declines in calf and cattle prices are largely due to record-high cattle weights resulting in more beef production, Anderson said.

“More imported beef and reduced exports are pressuring prices lower, too,” Anderson said. “But, as the fed cattle backlog is reduced, then price will rebound higher.”

Anderson said for the first quarter of 2016 he projects Southern Plains #1 500-600-pound steers at around $216 to $222 per hundredweight. Second quarter prices in 2016 are projected at $220-$227 per hundredweight, while third quarter prices are projected at $215-$224 per hundredweight. For the fourth quarter, Anderson projects prices to be $207-$216 per hundredweight.

Currently, some estimates of annual cow costs are around $700 per cow. Factoring in an average selling price of $1,100 per head for calves leaves cow-calf producers in a profitable position.

Dr. David Anderson, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service livestock economist, College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Blair Fannin)

“But, longer term, increasing cow numbers and beef production means prices are headed lower,” Anderson said.

AgriLife Extension district reporters compiled the following summaries:

SOUTH: Scattered showers continued through parts of the South Region during the past week. Most of the rainfall occurred in the northern and western parts of the region. Forage on range and pastures showed very good improvement. In the northern part of the region, peanut crops were being harvested and winter oats and wheat crops were mostly planted in the Atascosa County area. La Salle County received more rainfall during the past week, as it had the previous week, helping improve range and pastures throughout the county. Live Oak County also received rainfall of 1 to 5 inches. Range and pastures greened up well, throughout the McMullen County area, as a result of continuous rainfall, but forage growth slowed down due to cooler temperatures and shorter days. Cattle body condition scores remained in fair shape. In the eastern parts of the region, mild conditions persisted throughout the Jim Wells County area. Wheat producers were hesitant in planting wheat this year, as most had a difficult time harvesting their crops during the wet spring months. Row crop producers, on the other hand, were set for a good start on next year’s crop growing season. In the western parts of the region, wet conditions remained. Heavy rainfall fell across the Zavala County area. Cotton ginning activities were completed in two Zavala County gins. Also in Zavala County, pecan harvesting was completed, prior to the rainfall event at the end of the week, and no supplemental feeding activities took place due to good to fair grazing conditions on range and pastures. In the southern parts of the region, the Cameron County area remained saturated. Some fields have begun to dry out, but it will be a while before any field activities take place. Spring planting was halted due to fields remaining saturated throughout the area. Despite wet field, range and pasture conditions, there was plenty of good to excellent forage for livestock grazing. Also in Cameron County, corn fields were progressing well. In the Hidalgo County area, fall corn progressed, and sugarcane harvest will begin soon. Fall vegetable crops progressed well in the Starr County area.

Download or preview a two-minute MP3 version of this report

COASTAL BEND: Recent light rain added to good soil moisture conditions. Winter pasture planting was almost complete with early-season moisture providing favorable growing conditions. Some producers were top-dressing fertilizer. Low-lying areas of the Guadalupe River flooded and caused problems with some of the pecan harvest. Cattle continued to be in good condition with calves weaned and sold at local auction markets.

SOUTHWEST: Adequate moisture was received throughout much of the area as a result of recent rains. Winter pastures have benefitted from rainfall and range conditions were showing signs of improvement. Field conditions continued to be wet after recent rainfall. Pecan harvest has slowed due to wet conditions. Wheat and oats had been planted and were emerging. Planted wheat and oats were looking good with recent rains. Native winter grass was in good condition as a result of rainfall. In many cases, fields were still too wet to get into because of recent heavy rains.

SOUTHEAST: In Walker County, the rain has helped the past two weeks. Cool-season forages, small grains and legumes, had germinated and began to grow. Wet field conditions in Brazos County prevented many cotton farmers from completely destroying harvested fields. Volunteer cool-season annual grasses were emerging. Grimes County had another weekend full of rain and high winds. All standing water has subsided. Fields were stable enough to drive a tractor on and hay was being baled. In Montgomery County, recent rainfall allowed producers to become involved with winter annual planting. Temperatures were still above average, which promoted Bermudagrass growth recovery. Fort Bend County recently received more than 9 inches of rain. Some cattle producers have planted ryegrass for winter forage. Livestock were in good condition.

SOUTH PLAINS: In Floyd County, warm dry days have helped harvest activities. Nearly all corn and milo harvest was complete. Cotton was the main focus now and was progressing nicely. Heavy dew or moisture the past three weeks has caused Swisher County farmers to stop harvest and wait for drier conditions. Pasture and range were in good condition with light supplementing reported. The wheat crop was excellent and stocker cattle were moving onto wheat at a steady pace. A bumper year for haygrazer was expected, but sugarcane aphid colonization in these fields has drastically lowered the protein content making a surplus of fair condition hay available in the $45 to $50 price range per round bale. Bailey County producers had several mornings with light frost and one morning low of 22 degrees. Harvest continued for all crops. In Cochran County, soil moisture levels were in good condition. Peanut and corn harvests were finished. Cotton, sunflower and sorghum harvest was ongoing. Pasture, range and winter wheat were all in good condition. Lubbock County received frost in low areas with one morning low of 33 degrees. A freeze is needed to condition remaining crops for harvest. Cotton harvest reached the halfway point, with harvest furthest along in the Slaton area. In Garza County, cotton harvest resumed after rainfall with approximately 20 to 25 percent of the crop harvested. Yields were coming in a little better than expected due to warm weather late in the growing season that allowed the late crop to mature. Range and pastures should improve over the next few days due to rainfall on cool-season grasses. However, some locations were limited due to weed pressure. Cattle were in good to excellent condition with no supplemental feeding being reported. Scurry County had mild weather last week and received no rain. Cotton harvest will resume once producers can get back in the fields.

ROLLING PLAINS: Fall-like weather prevailed over the past several weeks in the Rolling Plains. Thus far, there has been no early freeze/frost, which could be beneficial for cotton producers, especially in fields that were planted late. Early planted fields have been defoliated and producers were beginning to harvest. This year’s cotton crop was variable with some fields very poor, while others were in excellent condition. With cotton prices very low compared to previous years, producers were looking to cut costs and were defoliating fewer acres than in the past. Some producers were opting to wait for a freeze. Over the past few weeks moisture was recorded and has helped rangeland and pastures. Wild ryegrass has flourished. This has helped ranchers save money on supplemental feeding costs. Winter wheat was looking better as producers have finished planting fields and have just enough moisture to hopefully get the wheat up and going in a reasonable amount of time. Grazing may be limited due to late planting. Range and pastures were in good condition as were livestock.

CENTRAL: Continued rainfall has caused erosion, leaving producers out of the fields due to soggy conditions. Washed out bridges prevented transfer of equipment. Oats already planted have emerged; wheat was up in some places with some being flooded or held back and stunted due to the extreme wetness. Cotton growers lacked dry days to harvest their crop. Growing conditions were good for small grains. Cooler temperatures have arrived. All counties in the region were reporting soil moisture as good, while overall range and pasture conditions were rated at 95 percent. Overall crop conditions stood at 85 percent and overall livestock conditions in the region were rated at 95 percent.

FAR WEST: Cooler, fall-like temperatures were reported district-wide with producers awaiting the first frost. Livestock producers were finishing fall work with calf weaning weights reported on the heavy side. Pregnancy rates on heifers and mature cows were all very good. Overall condition of cattle good. Clean-up bucks have been put out to finish the breeding season. Cotton harvest was in full swing with average yields and good lint quality. Fall planted onions had emerged and were at the two-leaf stage. Pecan shucks were opening, but needed the first frost to assist in defoliation. Pastures and rangeland were in good condition.

EAST: More rain was received across the region causing conditions to go from extremely dry to extremely wet. Fields remained saturated. Most counties reported subsoil and topsoil moisture levels adequate or surplus. The rain caused some decline in vegetable crops. Lakes and ponds were overflowing. Damage assessment continued from flooding in Henderson County. Anderson County reported a tornado in a lightly populated area of the county, which caused minimal damage to trees and fences. The Trinity River was out of its banks in many places. Winter pastures were coming up for those who planted before the rain. Rain came too late for summer pastures to produce, which led to many producers feeding grain and hay to livestock. Cattle remained in fair to good condition. Market sales has slowed due to the inability to gather cattle. The cattle market showed steady to slightly higher prices on calves and slaughter cattle. Feral hogs were moving and causing damage.

WEST CENTRAL: Days were warm with cool nights. Scattered showers were reported in most areas. Recent rains improved soil moisture and helped decrease chances of wildfires. Cotton harvest was delayed due to wet conditions, but will be back in full swing as conditions allow. There was some concern regarding lint quality due to weather conditions. Early planted winter wheat has emerged and was in good to excellent condition. Wheat planting will resume as soon as fields are dry enough to start sowing. More wheat will be planted as cotton comes out and conditions allow. Sesame harvest was underway. Range and pasture conditions improved with recent rains. Winter pastures were coming along and should provide good forage soon. Lots of cool-season annuals were emerging in pastures, including Texas wintergrass. Livestock were in fair to good condition. Supplemental feeding was underway. Cattle prices have moderated somewhat. Sheep and goat markets continues to be strong. Early variety pecans were harvested.

NORTH: Topsoil moisture varied from adequate to surplus. Rainfall amounts have varied across the county from 1 to 3 inches. Nighttime temperatures were cooling off. Rains were beneficial for newly planted small grains and winter annual pastures. Warm-season grass production was coming to a close. Cool-season grasses were starting to grow. Many small grain farmers were still waiting to plant. Hay supplies seemed to be adequate, but the quality overall was not as good as usual. Wheat struggled due to weather patterns. Ponds were filling. Livestock were stressing as temperatures fluctuated. Feral hog activity increased.

PANHANDLE: Texas Panhandle temperatures were near normal. Moisture was received in the north and northeastern counties. Amounts ranged from a trace to 1.5 inches. Soil moisture was rated adequate. Peanut yields have been average to below average. Sorghum was nearly all out of the fields. Cotton harvest was almost halfway complete and yields appeared to be average to above average. Deaf Smith County producers were running combines in corn and grain sorghum fields. Corn harvest was starting to wind down with a good week of harvest activity. Dryland grain sorghum was lodging. Recent winds caused lodging to become more of a problem. Sprouting of grain in the head was also a concern. Winter wheat was being planted in many fields where corn was harvested. Wheat in general looked good and many early planted fields were starting to be grazed. Hall County wheat and pasture conditions improved due to rains. Cotton harvest slowed because of rains and wet mornings. Cattle conditions continued to improve. Rain and wind in Hansford County slowed harvest. Some fields of corn and milo were starting to lodge from rain and wind.

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Farm & Ranch

American Lotus

Published

7 days ago

June 18, 2026

NTFR

By Tony Dean

Farmers and ranchers are in a very close partnership with Mother Nature. If we really pay attention, she presents us some interesting scenarios.

For example, though they are totally different types of plants, water lilies and prickly pear have a lot in common. They both have strikingly beautiful flowers, both plants are edible, both of them are invaders into their respective habitats, and too much of either one can be an obstacle that we have to deal with.

Many north Texas ranches rely on excavated ponds for livestock water. Any time a pond contains a significant amount of shallow water so that sunlight reaches the bottom, some type of pond weed will develop. The plant family that includes water lilies and lotuses is a common invader in our livestock water.

Water lilies and lotuses are in the same plant family but they are two separate genera. There are easy ways to tell them apart:

A primary difference is that water lily leaves commonly float on the surface, but lotus leaves can grow above the water line.
Water lily leaves and flowers are thick and waxy, while lotus leaves and flowers are thin and papery.
Water lily leaves have a distinct notch in the leaf, while lotus leaves are more rounded.
Water lily flower petals are pointed, and lotus petals are more rounded.

The photos attached to this writing are from Clay County, and this plant is common across north Texas. American lotus is adapted to a wide area, from Honduras north through Mexico and across the eastern US and into Canada.

American lotus is a perennial, and it is cold tolerant and heat tolerant. It can grow in any pond or slow moving stream that contains shallow water areas. It prefers water with a depth of about 12 inches. Germination can occur from the large lotus seeds. Tubers, or roots, are established in the mud, and long slender stems extend upward. Leaves and flowers are both emergent in that they grow above the water line.

Lotus flowers are fragrant, and yellowish white with rich gold centers. They open in the morning and close by late afternoon, then open again the next day.

Lotus is an edible plant and has a history as a food source. The large tuberous roots, the size of a human arm, were baked like sweet potatoes. The leaves were eaten like spinach, and the large seeds were ground into flour. Stems taste somewhat like beets and were usually peeled before being eaten.

There is a large world-wide industry of cultivating lilies and lotuses in water gardens. According to Dr. Jerry Parsons, Professor and Extension Horticulturist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, cultivation of these plants dates back as early as ancient Egypt. Today, anyone with determination and a little money can have a water garden.

In 2011, the 82^nd Texas Legislature designated the water lily “Texas Dawn” as the official Texas State Water Lily. Texas Dawn is a hybrid developed by Texas resident Kenneth Landon, a world-renowned expert in the field of water lilies and the director of the International Water Lily collection in San Angelo.

Ducks and other wildlife utilize the large acorn like seeds of American lotus, and submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide some form of wetland habitat. Many of us have tried to pull a bass out of a group of water lilies or lotuses, and I’m sure others have had better luck than I did. Although there can certainly be benefits to lilies, lotuses, and other aquatic plants, they can also infest ponds to the extent that the pond is not functioning correctly.

So, while the rest of the world works hard to grow these plants, ranchers sometimes need to control populations in their stock ponds. Once it gets a foot hold, American lotus can spread aggressively in wetland areas.

The primary issue that encourages American lotus, and most other water weeds, is shallow water. Look closely at a good livestock pond and you will find that the deeper water is basically free of infestation. Any pond will have a certain amount of shallow water that encourages water weed growth, depending upon the terrain at the pond site and how the pond was constructed. Some ranchers who enjoy and utilize wetland habitat may prefer to have ponds with significant shallow water area.

Almost all livestock ponds have a certain life expectancy. Siltation, or movement of soil into the pond bottom through rainfall runoff, is a natural occurrence. How fast siltation occurs into each pond, and how deep the pond was to start with, determines the length of time that the pond will contain adequate depth for dependable water for livestock.

Ponds that develop infestations of water weeds over a large percent of the surface may not have adequate depth to remain a viable water source for livestock during drought periods, especially in western north Texas where evaporation rates are higher.

Mud, or silt, from the pond bottom, can be removed to deepen the water, but this is a very expensive process. It is often more economical to construct a new pond rather than try to remove the silt from an old one. Most of us do not have the funds to continually construct deep water livestock ponds, so we must try to keep existing structures functioning and providing good drinking water for livestock, for as long as we can. Control of pond weeds like American lotus may be necessary, and it can be accomplished.

There is currently no feasible biological control. American lotus can be cut and removed, but this process us usually temporary because lotus can reestablish from seeds and roots.

American lotus can be safely controlled by chemicals. This must be done carefully. If a pond containing a large amount of any pond weeds is treated to remove all of the vegetation, a fish die-off could occur. When the dying weeds decompose, they use up the oxygen in the water and fish can suffocate. If possible, treat only a portion of the area, wait about two weeks, and treat another portion.

Farm & Ranch

Tracks in the Sand

Published

4 weeks ago

May 28, 2026

NTFR

This morning, I walked out into my arena and noticed something that gave me pause. The roping steers had been in there the day before, and even though the ground was wide and level, the sand carried their story. Hoofprints crossed every direction, but in several spots, the same trail was pressed deeper than the rest. Twelve steers had been turned out, yet more than a few chose the exact same path, wearing it down until it stood out from all the other tracks.

Cattle are creatures of habit. Anyone who has spent time around them knows this. They like routine: the same feed, the same water trough, the same shade tree in the pasture. When they are turned loose, they rarely wander without purpose. More often than not, they move together, following the same course as the steer in front of them. There are reasons for this: efficiency, safety, instinct. Walking a beaten path conserves energy, and following the herd is their natural defense. Even in an arena with no real destination, those instincts come through. By the end of a short turnout, you will see the evidence, lines where they have chosen the easiest way to travel and stuck with it.

Out on the range, those lines last longer. Before fences and highways, cattle drives cut deep paths across the land. The Chisholm Trail, which carried herds north from Texas through Oklahoma into Kansas, was walked by millions of cattle in the late 1800s. More than a century later, faint traces of those trails remain, worn so deep by hooves and wagon wheels that the land still carries the mark. On ranches today, you can see the same effect in pastures where cattle walk the same lines between water and grazing. From the ground those trails might look like nothing more than dusty ruts, but from the air, they sometimes stand out as sharp lines winding through otherwise open fields. Cattle do not simply pass over the land; they shape it. Every step adds up.

That simple truth extends beyond livestock. We all make tracks. Our habits and routines are our trails, worn in by repetition, sometimes efficient, sometimes limiting. Like the cow paths, they can serve a purpose, keeping us steady and helping us move forward. But when repeated without thought, they risk becoming ruts, keeping us from stepping into new ground. History offers perspective here too. The old cattle trails built towns and economies, but once railroads and fences changed the landscape, those paths were no longer useful. Sticking to them would have meant going in circles. Progress required something new.

The Tracks We Leave

Standing in the arena, I thought about the kind of tracks I leave behind. Most of mine are not visible in the dirt. They are pressed into my daily life, how I work, the way I handle challenges, the example I set. Some are helpful and worth keeping. Others may have outlived their purpose. The difference comes in knowing when to stay in the track and when to step out of it.

Tomorrow I will drag the arena and smooth it all clean again. The next time the steers are turned in, they will make the same trails. That is their nature. But unlike them, I have a choice. I can decide which paths are worth walking, which ones to change, and what kind of tracks I want to leave for others who might follow.

Tracks tell a story. Sometimes they are only temporary, fading with the next rain. Other times they last for generations, reminders of where herds and people once walked. This morning, the cattle showed me again that even the smallest things on the ranch carry meaning. Their tracks in the arena were not just marks in the sand. They were a lesson: every step matters, and the paths we choose shape more than just the ground beneath our feet.

Farm & Ranch

Leopold’s Legacy: The Five Tools That Shaped Conservation

Published

1 month ago

May 14, 2026

NTFR

By Raenne Santos

Known as the father of wildlife management, Aldo Leopold’s teachings reshaped our understanding of conservation and our role in nature. His philosophy, rooted in ethics, ecology, and action, emerged in response to the environmental degradation of the early 20th century in the American West. Overgrazed pastures, eroding soils, and changing wildlife populations revealed the consequences of treating natural resources as limitless.

Recognizing these challenges, Leopold theorized a transformative approach to land stewardship, emphasizing that the land is not merely a commodity, but a community in which we all belong. His works, A Sand County Almanac and Land Ethic, are still referenced to this day by modern conservationists. In Land Ethic, he introduced a practical framework for wildlife management known as the Five Tools of Wildlife Management, which offers land stewards a structured approach to maintaining and restoring ecological balance.

Symbolizing brush management, the axe is one of Leopold’s tools for controlling invasive species, shaping habitats, and mitigating wildfire risks. By selectively removing vegetation, land managers can enhance biodiversity, create open spaces for native species, and maintain healthy ecosystems.

Representing grazing animals, the cow (when used properly) mimics the natural disturbances once provided by bison. Grazing animals promote healthy ecosystems by aiding in nutrient cycling and soil disturbance. Responsible grazing practices prevent overuse and contribute to sustainable land management.

The plow signifies mechanical disturbance and soil preparation, crucial for habitat restoration and agricultural productivity. Used strategically, it aids in cultivating crops and creating conditions favorable to wildlife. However, misuse can lead to erosion, requiring careful application in conservation efforts.

Fire, a powerful natural tool, plays a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and landscape resilience. Land managers use prescribed fire to control invasive species, rejuvenate plant communities, and shape habitats. Fire promotes the natural cycles of ecosystems and supports species diversity.

The final tool, the gun, is used to manage game populations and control predators. During Leopold’s time, unregulated hunting contributed to species extinction and posed threats to others. Today, hunting is strictly managed through game laws and seasonal regulations to ensure sustainable populations.

Leopold’s Five Tools of Wildlife Management continue to influence conservation practices today. While techniques have evolved, the fundamental principles remain the same—balancing human involvement with ecological processes to sustain healthy ecosystems. His approach emphasizes the importance of working with nature rather than against it. By embracing ethical land stewardship, modern conservationists honor Leopold’s vision, ensuring that future generations inherit thriving landscapes.