Business

Rangelands in the Great Plains, and the ranchers who depend on them, are losing battles against an invasion of brush and shrubs on historical grasslands. Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist Brad Wilcox is among a group of researchers, extension specialists, and educators who hope pyric herbivory will one day become a routine point of conversation in rangeland conservation and wildfire mitigation.

AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced last week that he was sending cities, counties, transit systems, and special-purpose taxing districts $925.1 million in local sales tax allocations for September, 20.9 percent more than in September 2020.

AUSTIN—Data from the Texas Workforce Commission suggests that Texas upstream oil and natural gas employment expanded by 2,800 jobs in August. Also, July’s estimated job gain in the upstream sector was raised to 2,100 from the original 1,500. Since the low point in employment in September 2020, months with job gains have outnumbered decline months 9-to-2.

‘Business of Water’ is theme of Water for Texas 2021 conference Register now for the Water for Texas 2021 conference, which will be held Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 27-29, at Austin’s AT&T Hotel and Conference Center.

TEMPLE—The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Texas will hold a meeting of the State Technical Committee next Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 8:30-11:30 am via Microsoft Teams/Teleconference. To participate via teleconference, audio only, dial 1.469.294.4461 and use access code 395 074 743#. Meeting links and call-in information can also be found on the NRCS Texas website at www.tx.nrcs.usdsa.gov/. Through the State Technical Committee meeting, NRCS seeks input from Texas citizens and representatives of organizations and agencies on natural resource priorities and concerns. This input helps guide the delivery of NRCS conservation programs and technical assistance within the state. NRCS and other USDA agencies will provide brief updates on Farm Bill programs and be available for participants to ask questions and offer suggestions. Questions can be directed to Charles Kneuper, NRCS state resource conservationist for Texas, at 254.742.9873. Participants are encouraged to submit written comments and suggestions.

CANYON—After raising more than $1 million in 20 years, the West Texas A&M University Ag Development Association will continue its annual Ag Day festivities Sept. 11.

AUSTIN—The Texas Railroad Commission issued a total of 687 original drilling permits in August 2021 compared to 451 in August 2020. The August 2021 total includes 613 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, 10 to re-enter plugged well bores, and 58 for re-completions of existing well bores.

AMARILLO—The Amarillo-area beef community presented a check for $105,500 to the Snack Pak 4 Kids (SP4K) Beef Stik program. The money will provide beef sticks to hungry students through the Snack Pak weekend hunger program. The check was presented at the 3rd Annual Beef 4 Kids Classic golf tournament.

AUSTIN—The Texas Railroad Commission received reports of crude oil and natural gas production from 166,923 oil wells and 85,439 gas wells in June. From July 2020 to June 2021, total Texas reported production was 1.4 billion barrels of crude oil and 10.1 trillion cubic feet of total gas. Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the RRC. For additional oil- and gas-production statistics, visit the RRC’s website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oiland-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/.

A mini-ag conference, How to Enhance Profit from Ranch to Rail, will be conducted on Tuesday, Sept. 14 by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Hemphill County on the West Texas A&M University campus in Canyon.