Lonestar Report

lonestar Report Lonestar Report

Agricultural news around the State of Texas

Weather Conditions 2011 set a record high number for being the driest year in Texas history. A hot summer with little to no rain fall has many concerned that 2022 could be even worse. Over half of the state of Texas has been facing drought conditions all year. Even though there has been some rainfall, most of the soil is dry and hard, and many producers experienced water runoff. Long periods of heat and dry weather lead to crop loss, heat stress, limited feed for livestock, and an increased risk for wildfires. Victor Murphy, a climate service program manager for NOAA, said, “If you go long enough without any rainfall, the ground becomes bone dry, so whatever heat comes down, it just radiates back up. I think the state of Texas as a whole right now is very susceptible to that, and that’s what happened in 2011 too.” Along with this, these weather conditions can potentially cause significant issues with the Texas High Plains’ cash crop. The high plains produce 66% of Texas’s cotton and cottonseed and produce 30% for the U.S. In 2011 the loss of crops and livestock was approximately $7.62 billion. As of July 8th , Governor Abbot declared 164 Texas counties are in extreme drought. This declaration states that producers will not be harmed for managing their crops during the drought.

Texas Sunset Commission Every two years the Sunset Commission reviews state agencies to determine whether the agency is operating as intended and ensure there is no duplication or overlap with another agency. The Sunset process works by setting an automatic termination (Sunset) date in state law on which an agency will be abolished unless the Legislature passes a bill to continue it, typically for another 12 years. This cycle the Commission is reviewing 21 agencies. Majority of these agencies under review pertain to water. The Texas Water Development Board, Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board, San Antonio River Authority, and State Water Implementation Fund for Texas Advisory Committee are just a few mentioned on the list. Others on the list include the Office of Public Utility Counsel, Texas Juvenile Justice Department, Office of State-Federal Relations, Texas Economic Development and Tourism office, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, State Board of

Veterinary Medical Examiners, and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

Border & Trade In April, Governor Abbott ordered an advanced inspection on every commercial vehicle entering a port of entry in Texas; however, these prolonged searches caused delays at inland ports and ultimately stopped trade with Mexico, which caused Texas businesses millions of dollars. With truckers clogging the border, lanes have been blocked, forcing all commercial traffic to find other ports of entry. It has been concluded that each inspection takes roughly one hour. The wait time of eight to twelve hours resulted in trucks running out of fuel and spoiled produce. Sid Miller, Texas Agriculture Commissioner, claims food prices will begin to rise if the inspections are not shortened.

Emergency Relief Texas farmers and ranchers will be getting emergency relief fund payments from Congress due to the natural disasters of 2020 and 2021. Phase one of the Emergency Relief Fund compensates for vines, trees, bushes, and crops.

All crops covered by crop insurance or NAP coverage, except grazing, are eligible to receive payment. Natural disasters include wildfires, drought, floods, hurricanes, winter storms, freezes, smoke exposure and, derechos. The second funding phase applies to crop and livestock producers who do not qualify for any of the existing programs. Russell Boening, Texas Farm Bureau President, said, “Texas farmers and ranchers are struggling to manage the much higher costs of production that they’re paying due to inflation and disruptions in supply chains. Any assistance from the Emergency Relief Program that can help offset past losses because of natural disaster will be welcome by producers.”

Right to Farm As rural areas continue to decrease, the “right to farm” is starting to diminish in urban areas. Currently, the law only protects farms established after August 31, 1981; however, local governments could harm the surrounding farms and ranches. “Texas Farm Bureau has become aware of instances where farmers’ land within city boundaries has become overregulated by municipal ordinances that prohibit many, if not all, normal agricultural operations, such as raising and keeping livestock, hay production and cultivating certain row crops,” said John Paul Dineen III, the Texas Farm Bureau District 4 State Director. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area, cities are using their public nuisance ordinances on agricultural activities. For example, grass for hay is not allowed to grow above 12 inches, or the city will mow it down and send a bill to the farmer. In other places, hay bales must be removed within 24-48 hours to abide by city health ordinances. Furthermore, some cities require buffer zones up to 250 feet around the property to be mowed short. As Texas continues to grow and take away more agricultural land, it is crucial for us to come together and ensure farmers and ranchers can keep their land inside the city limits.