Texas-Mexico Agriculture Exchange Program builds a bridge to international relations
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and General Director of the Agricultural Development Corporation of Nuevo Leon Fermin Montes Cavazos announced the formation of the Texas-Mexico Agriculture Exchange Program. The educational opportunity will benefit agricultural leaders in Texas and Mexico, and connect the two agricultural powerhouses. more
 

Cattle identification status report – NAIS
To encourage participation in NAIS, USDA is presently focusing on campaigns that take advantage of programs cattle producers may already be involved in for marketing purposes. Integration with existing animal health programs is also being pursued by USDA to further participation levels in NAIS, which was one of the strategies outlined in the business plan. The third primary component to NAIS and its goal of rapid traceback is to establish a more cohesive system for reporting animal movements that pose a disease risk. more
 

Legislation introduced on CRP Critical Feed Use program
Lawmakers in the House and Senate have introduced bills that would require USDA to carry out the Conservation Reserve Program's Critical Feed Use program as originally intended when the program rules were released in May. S. 3337 and H.R. 6533 would allow all farmers and ranchers to participate in the Critical Feed Use program, not just those farmers and ranchers who have met the $4,500 proof of investment. more
 

Quail Research Ranch sets inaugural field day Sept. 12
A nationally recognized quail expert invites all "students of quail" to the Rolling Plains Quail Research Ranch's inaugural field day set from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sept. 12. The ranch is located 12 miles west of Roby on U.S. Hwy.180. An innovative approach to fire and grazing will be a featured talk during the day. Individual pre-registration by Sept. 5 is $10, and $15 thereafter. The fee includes lunch. more