Results of sale Thursday, July 24, 2014 --1193 head sold.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of July 1, 2014, totaled 95.0 million head, 3 percent below the 97.8 million on July 1, 2012. This is the lowest all cattle and calves inventory for July 1 since the series began in 1973.

While tax laws may have made it easier to pass the farm from one generation to the next, changing times have some families looking at the end of a way of life, according to a 30-year veteran of agricultural estate planning.

Dr. Jim Ansley, Texas A&M AgriLife Research rangeland ecologist at Vernon, talks about how Sendero knocks back the mesquite and allows growth of the secondary shrub species for wildlife, such as the lotebush behind him. (Texas A&M AgriLIfe Research photo by Kay Ledbetter)

The 2014 Texas calf crop is projected to be about 3.8 million, down somewhat from 2013, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service experts. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Robert Burns)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Juan Garcia reminds farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers that Aug. 1, 2014, is the deadline for local FSA county committee nominations.

To maximize successful pregnancies in replacement heifers early in their first breeding season, studies conducted at Texas A&M University and at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station-Beevi lle are evaluating nutritional strategies to promote puberty consistently by 12-14 months of age in Bos taurus x Bos indicus crossbred heifers. Pictured are BrahmanXHereford-F1 heifers. (Texas A&M AgriLife Research photo)

Cattle and wheat go hand-in-hand in the Rolling Plains of Texas. (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service photo by Kay Ledbetter)

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded producers that changes mandated through the 2014 Farm Bill require them to have on file a Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Certification (AD-1026). The Farm Bill relinked highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation compliance with eligibility for premium support paid under the federal crop insurance program.

Predicted El Niño improves winter pasture prospects this fall

Since we are experiencing the best cattle market any of us have ever seen, now would be a good time to make sure you really know what is going on and how you can make changes or shifts in your business to keep you as profitable as possible.

Those interested in food health and self sufficiency would find this Aquaponics Beginners Workshop very informative and helpful. Frank Zarauska, owner of Frank’s Aquaponic, is our visiting presenter. He will be discussing producing tilapia, sprouts, and other greens using homeowner-size aquaponic systems. Come learn about aquaponic basics – initial expense, needed equipment and supplies, set up, operation, production levels, maintenance, and food quality. Program is Tuesday, July 22, 2014 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Grayson County Courthouse