Lipscomb County Extension - Agricultural & Natural Resources

08/06/2026

Lipscomb County is in a Burn Ban, effective August 5, 2026.

07/20/2026

Wheatheart Wheat Conference is coming August 6th, 2026, at Ochiltree County Expo Center. Registration begins at 8:30am.

06/17/2026

Worried about a quarantine? New World screwworm movement restriction zones work much different than other infectious disease quarantines.

✅Animals can still move! Animals are able to move into and out of the zone as soon as they meet TAHC requirements.

✅Checkpoints are quick and simple! Trailers moving through an infested zone must stop at TAHC checkpoints. If animals are coming from outside of an infested zone and intend to keep moving through the zone to an address outside of the zone, they will receive educational outreach and be allowed to keep moving.

✅TAHC will work with you to avoid interrupting continuity of business! Call the TAHC as soon as you know you want to move animals out of an infested zone. We will schedule an inspection and advise you on how to meet requirements to keep your animals moving safely.

06/10/2026

06/10/2026

“I urge all Texas producers to report suspected New World screwworm cases to their veterinarian, USDA, Texas Animal Health Commission, or the Texas Department of Agriculture.” - Commissioner Miller

To report a suspected case of New World screwworm, you can visit Screwworm.gov, call the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242, or the Texas Department of Agriculture at 800-TELL-TDA.

06/09/2026

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry continues to closely monitor the confirmed cases of New World Screwworm in Texas and New Mexico. It is important to begin extra monitoring of livestock, pets and captive wildlife for this invasive pest.

It is important to note that this does not impact food and the food supply is safe.

Have questions on animal movement restrictions? Here is what you need to know:

06/09/2026

AgriLife Extension has released a new fact sheet to help swine producers prepare for and protect against the potentially devastating New World screwworm.

The fact sheet provides research-based information on risk factors, prevention steps and reporting guidance for the swine industry to respond quickly if cases are suspected.

Learn more and download the fact sheet at: tx.ag/NWSSwineFactSheet

06/08/2026

On June 7th, USDA announced two additional NWS cases in Texas- a calf in La Salle County with an umbilical lesion, and a dog in Andrews County.

*UPDATE* The NWS case in Andrews County has been reclassified by USDA to be the first case in New Mexico, not Texas: https://bit.ly/USDA-NWSNM

An additional infested zone has been established in La Salle and Webb County, and additional epidemiological investigations are occurring to learn more about the case in Andrews County. Those located in the infested zones should stay updated with current movement requirements. View the TAHC interactive NWS map here: https://bit.ly/NWS-ZoneMap

06/06/2026

A message from the Texas A&M AgriLife New World screwworm task force.

Inspect. Report. Stay informed. tx.ag/screwworm

06/06/2026

According to Oklahoma State University’s wheat enterprise budget, producing a wheat crop costs approximately $265.75 per acre when you account for seed, fertilizer, fuel, machinery, labor, insurance, harvest expenses, depreciation, and other costs.

Much of the state was in a drought this year. At 30 bushels per acre and today’s wheat price of $5.70, grain production generates about $171 per acre in gross revenue.

On a 160-acre operation:

• Wheat grain revenue: $27,360
• Production costs: $42,520

On grain alone, the operation doesn’t cover its costs.

That’s why other streams of revenue are so important in agriculture.

For many Oklahoma producers, that additional income comes from grazing cattle on winter wheat. An OSU budget estimates about $123.50 per acre in pasture value, adding another $19,760 across 160 acres.

That brings total gross revenue to approximately $47,120 and leaves a return of about $4,600 across the entire operation.

Even then, that’s only about $28.75 per acre before paying yourself for management, taking on weather risk, replacing equipment, or investing back into the farm.

Whether it’s cattle grazing, custom work, hunting leases, energy income, agritourism, or another enterprise, diversification has become a necessity for many farm families.

The reality is that agriculture often survives not because of one crop, but because producers find multiple ways to make the numbers work.

The next time someone says farmers are getting rich from subsidies or other means, remember the math. Agriculture is a high-risk business with razor-thin margins, and many operations depend on several income streams just to stay afloat.