With a whirlwind of trade activity as a backdrop, commodity market gyrations have made unsettling times for grain producers in Texas and across the nation, but there's hope those are leveling, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service economist.

The Bluestem Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist will be presenting a 5-part Landowner Education Program in 2020. Because of the accelerating growth in Grayson County, there has been a rapid loss of open space and habitat for wildlife.

The 2020 North Texas Pest Management Conference will be on January 24th in the Sherman Municipal Ballroom.

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas' Fannin County and the Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District cordially invite the public to attend their FY21 Local Working Group (LWG) meeting January 21, 2020, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Derrell Hall Education Center.

The program's focus is to provide landowners with another option for frequently flooded properties such as agricultural fields, forested land, fallow land, pasture and, in certain situations, residential areas in cooperation with a qualified sponsor.

Results of sale Thursday, January 16, 2020 - 1002 head, 181 cows

Results of sale Saturday, January 11, 2020 -- 855 head

The Collin County Soil & Water Conservation District is currently taking orders for conservation tree and shrub seedlings. The purpose of this program is to assist farmers, ranchers & landowners with conservation practices such as windbreaks, noise and site barriers, erosion control and water conservation. Several varieties of evergreen and hardwood trees are being offered this year.

USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) encourages agricultural producers to enroll now in the Agriculture Risk Loss (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. March 15, 2020 is the enrollment deadline for the 2019 crop year.

A new trade deal reached between the United States and China might significantly increase China's imports of American agricultural products, including soybeans.

Producers don't adopt soil health principles such as keeping the ground covered and reducing disturbances for a variety of reasons. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo)

Topics will include: industrial hemp background, opportunities for fiber, grain and CBD, anticipated Texas Department of Agriculture rules, economic considerations & risks and more.