Author Archives: greg.baker
Paraquat Dichloride Training for Certified Applicators
As required by EPA’s Paraquat Dichloride Human Health Mitigation Decision and amended paraquat dichloride (a.k.a. paraquat) product labels, certified applicators must successfully complete an EPA-approved training program before mixing, loading, and/or applying paraquat. The training provides important information about paraquat’s toxicity, new label requirements and restrictions, and the consequences of misuse. For more information and how to access the training module click on the link below. https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-worker-safety/paraquat-dichloride-training-certified-applicators mailto:greg.baker@ag.tamu.edu
U.S. House approval of U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
A new international trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada passed through the House of Representatives Thursday. It’s an agreement that has agricultural producers in Texas breathing a sigh of relief. “Getting this thing done and just removing the cloud over the negotiations, what those were all going to look like, is a bit of fresh air,” said Mark Welch. Welch is a grain economist for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and was raised on a North Texas wheat farm with stockyard cattle. He’s seen first-hand… Read More →
Your current Ag/Timber number expires on Dec. 31, 2019
Your current Ag/Timber number expires on Dec. 31, 2019. You must renew your number in order to continue to claim an exemption on your qualifying agricultural and timber purchases made after that date. The Comptroller’s office has mailed renewal information to affected taxpayers. Renewals can be completed over the phone by calling 844-AGRENEW (844-247-3639) or online thru the Ag/Timber Registrations/Renewals eSystem using your WebFile number, which is included in your renewal letter. Cited from and for more information click on the link below. https://comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/ag-timber/ mailto:greg.baker@ag.tamu.edu
New bill will help preserve American family farms
A bill recently introduced to help more farm families continue their livelihoods after the death of a loved one has the full support of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). The Preserving Family Farms Act of 2019 is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) and Jackie Warlorski (R-Ind.). “Farm and ranch families often face a significant financial burden when they have to pay estate taxes,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Farm families should be able to pay based on how their land is actually used, rather than… Read More →
USDA Issues Second Tranche of Market Facilitation Program
MFP signup at local FSA offices will run through Friday, December 6, 2019. (Washington, D.C., November 15, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the second tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to unjustified trade retaliation by foreign nations. The payments will begin the week before Thanksgiving. Producers of MFP-eligible commodities will now be eligible to receive 25 percent of the total payment expected, in addition to the 50 percent they have already received from… Read More →
Seed Cotton eligible for ARC, PLC programs.
After being largely left out of the 2014 Farm Bill, cotton growers are once again eligible for safety net coverage through Title 1 of the 2018 Farm Bill. “Under the 2014 Farm Bill, producers made a one-time ARC and PLC election by crop and by farm that remained in effect for the 2014 to 2018 crop years for commodities other than seed cotton,” Dr. Jody Campiche, vice president of Economics and Policy Analysis for the National Cotton Council (NCC), said. “For seed cotton, producers made an ARC/PLC election… Read More →
Cotton and Grain Risk Management and Marketing & Farm Bill Workshop
An upcoming program to be held in Victoria County will benefit producers from a marketing standpoint and provide the latest information on the Farm Bill. On November 6, 2019 from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM the Cotton and Grain Risk Management and Marketing and Farm Bill Workshop will be held at the Victoria County 4-H Activity Center located at 259 Bachelor Dr. Victoria, Texas located next to the Victoria Regional Airport. For more information click the link below. Cotton-Grain Marketing-Farm Bill Workshop greg.baker@ag.tamu.edu
FSA EM Loan Assistance Based on Damages and Losses Caused by Drought.
The following letter was sent out by the Texas Division of Emergency Management to Calhoun County. We have received notice from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture that your county has been designated eligible to apply for low-interest emergency disaster loans based on damages and losses caused by drought occurring August 27, 2019 and continuing. Eight Texas counties have been declared primary natural disaster areas. There are an additional twenty-five other Texas counties designated as a contiguous counties. Your county has been designated as a contiguous county. The Secretary… Read More →
Texas Department of Agriculture Approves Aerially Use of Deuplosan
With wet weather still lingering around after harvest season the cotton stalks are starting to regrow. With the new 2,4-d and di-camba tolerant cotton varieties it has been a challenge for stalk destruction. Attached is the 24(c) SLN allowing for Post-harvest destruction / removal of all cotton including 2,4-D and Dicamba tolerant varieties and the 24(c) SLN allowing aerial application of Duplosan (dichlorprop) for a 92 day period to aid in the post-harvest destruction/removal of all cotton including 2,4-D (Enlist) and dicamba (XtendFlex) tolerant varieties in Texas. Please… Read More →
TAHC Commission Adopts Amendment to Trichomoniasis Rule and Proposes Bovine Viral Diarrhea Rule
The following rules were adopted and will go into effect on October 6, 2019. Chapter 38, Trichomoniasis Chapter 49, Equine (Official Identification) Chapter 51, Entry Requirements (Equine) The following amendments were proposed , and TAHC will accept public comments on the proposals from September 27 – October 28, 2109. Chapter 44, Bovine Viral Diarrhea Program This information was cited from and more detail click on the link below. 2019-09-24_TAHCCommissionMeeting greg.baker@ag.tamu.edu
