Business

AUSTIN—The Texas Railroad Commission issued a total of 631 original drilling permits in May 2021, compared to 251 in May 2020. The May 2021 total includes 551 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, three to re-enter plugged well bores, and 75 for recompletions of existing well bores.

AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar this week said state sales tax revenue totaled $3.4 billion in May, the highest-ever monthly total and 30.1 percent more than in May 2020. As with April’s results, year-over-year increases for most tax revenues this month and in the coming months will be among the highest in the history of the data series.

The cyberattack that temporarily crippled JBS, the nation’s top beef processor, came a week and a half after University of Minnesota security analysts warned the Agriculture Department that ransomware could hurt the U.S. food supply more than the coronavirus pandemic has. Experts have been warning about the threat for years, but they have gained little traction.

As part of our summer AgriLife Extension programming, Hemphill County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension has arranged for Steve Keith with Canyon-based Express Scale Company to do ranch scale certifications. This service is provided to ensure that our area ranchers’ scales are up to date and legal to sell cattle by the weight, if needed.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a Developing a Drought Management Plan meeting for producers in the Roberts County area June 17. The free meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

USDA to invest $15M in the Conservation Innovation Grants program TEMPLE—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is investing up to $15 million to support the development of new tools, approaches, practices, and technologies to further natural-resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program.

Landry achieves membership in Million Dollar Round Table Landon Landry, a representative for Modern Woodmen of America, is one of a small percentage of financial representatives worldwide to achieve membership in the prestigious Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) this year. Founded in 1927, MDRT, The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of more than 49,000 of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 70 countries.

Improving financial security and tackling confusing financial issues will be the focus of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service’s Financial Fitness workshop series, hosted by the agency’s office in Lubbock.

AUSTIN—On Tuesday, Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller extended the deadline for receipt of 2021 Family Land Heritage applications to July 1, in an effort to allow families additional time to gather the necessary documents. The TDA’s Family Land Heritage (FLH) program pays tribute to families who have kept their land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years. Eligible farms and ranches must be owned and operated by the descendants of the original founder, either through blood, marriage, or adoption. At least 10 acres of the land must have been in continuous agricultural production for the past 100 years or more. Applications should include land ownership documents that prove continual possession by the descendants of the founder of the property. Families are encouraged to contact their county clerk to locate supporting documents needed. In addition, a family’s completed application and supporting documents must be submitted for certification to the county judge where the property is located. TDA will accept a scanned copy or the electronic signature of the county judge in place of the original signature. For more information or to apply for FLH recognition, go to www.texasagriculture.gov/NewsEvents/FamilyLandHeritage.aspx.

COLLEGE STATION—Booming countryside sales that marked the third and fourth quarters of last year were just a prelude to what’s happened so far in 2021. “In the aftermath of the COVID-induced economic lockdown, 2021 Texas rural land markets have exploded in a burst of activity,” said Dr.