The annual Tri-County Farm and Ranch Symposium will be held Thursday, February 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bowie Community Center in Bowie TX. The conference is approved for 5 CEU's and will feature both in-person and virtual attendance.

In response to the winter storms that hit Texas in February 2021, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering farmers and ranchers technical and financial assistance to repair and replace certain damaged conservation practices.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making $1 million available to support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands in Texas.

Results of sale Monday, February 22, 2021 - 676 head

Sesame seeds fill pods created by the mature plants. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Cocklebur seedlings grow statewide and should be a concern for cattle owners. "Seedings typically sprout around the edges of receding rain puddles," said Cat Barr, Ph.D. "They are extremely toxic at the four-leaf stage and can cause massive liver damage and rapid death when consumed."

"These Local Working Group meetings serve as a conservation needs assessment forum and are a valuable part of the NRCS planning process," said NRCS Texas State Conservationist Kristy Oates.

Carl Ray Polk Jr. lives in Lufkin, Texas, and operates ranches in Angelina and Houston counties. Polk was elected as second vice president of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association in 2020.

Today, R-CALF USA sent a letter supporting President Biden’s Executive Order signed today on Made in America.

"Easements are sometimes a perfect fit for a landowner who is looking to protect his or her land from future development or to protect and improve wetlands or provide critical habitat for wildlife," said Kristy Oates, NRCS state conservationist for Texas.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the recent winter storms that USDA has programs that provide assistance.

"Staff at our Texas plant materials centers excel at developing and delivering vegetative solutions and conservation technologies for NRCS customers to use in conservation programs to solve natural resource concerns," said Charles Kneuper, NRCS state resource conservationist for Texas.