Jan. 5, 2012 - The U.S. set a record in 2011 for the most billion-dollar natural disasters. Texas, unfortunately led the way. Even in a year that had the largest tornado outbreak in U.S. history in Alabama, Hurricane Irene and record flooding in the Northeast, the Texas drought, heat and wildfire made Texas the most weather-ravaged state in the country.

Jan. 5, 2012 - The direct effects of the 2011 drought have been clear for months, but some experts warn that growers are about to encounter indirect issues as a result of last year's abnormally dry weather. Dry soils may still be holding residue from last year's herbicide applications, creating problems for those switching crops this year.

Dec. 29, 2011 - Rice likes hot weather and 2011 was one of the hottest years in the state's history, but also one of the driest, and when rice needs water, it needs a lot of it. After a good production year in spite of the drought, or partly because of it, the water that rice farmers have historically used to flood their paddies might not be available next year. As is the case with all of Texas agriculture, the immediate future of the Texas rice industry depends on how much rain falls and when.

Dec. 29, 2011 - According to a sample of those with hog-related property damage from 2006 through 2009, taken by the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center, 75 percent of respondents reported the biggest losses in pastureland. Damage was reported in areas including crops, livestock, fences, equipment, land and lease value and even personal injury.

Dec. 29, 2011 - The calf and replacement cow markets are up and are expected to go higher, as cattle raisers consider buying back previously sold herds.

Dec. 29. 2011 - As the manager of three farmers markets in Central Texas, Greg Coley has noticed a few things about customer preferences. One of the first things he noticed is that there are a certain number of customers who don't show up before the farmers' tomatoes are ripe, and they don't return once the tomatoes are gone.

Dec. 22, 2011 - We don't hear a lot of farmers wondering how their guar crop is going to do. Guar doesn't show up on the exchange ticker and it's not eligible for crop insurance. It's also very much in demand and has put one West Texas farmer in a unique position.

Dec. 22, 2011 - As producing a viable crop in a volatile environment is becoming more difficult, many Texas growers are considering utilizing irrigation in the future.

Dec. 22, 2011 - National weather patterns have big implications in Texas, and people like Mark Fox, warning and coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service make it their goal to continuously collect data from weather models and other technologies in order to put out the most accurate weather forecast.

 

Dec. 15, 2011 - Despite recent cool temperatures, the threat of aflatoxin in corn produced this year is still a viable threat. The toxin can still be present in the corn that livestock producers purchase to feed.