Business

TXOGA announces hiring new director of communications AUSTIN—The Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) today announced the hiring of Stephen Chang as director of communications following the departure of Lauren Clay. Todd Staples, president of TXOGA, issued the following statement: “Oil and natural gas fuel modern life, and the industry plays an indispensable role in delivering affordable and reliable energy that consumers depend on every day.

As happens every August, the USDA released its Land Values Summary Report for 2022. Not surprisingly, the report indicates increasing values nationwide over the past year. For “farm real estate value,” which takes into account the value of all land and buildings on farms, the U.S. average value was $3,800, a 12 percent increase from last year. For cropland, the nationwide average value increased 14 percent to $5,050/acre. For pastureland, the nationwide average value was $1,650/acre, up 11.5 percent from last year.

AMARILLO—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today visited the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District (PGCD) on the second stop of his “Good for Texas Tour: Water Edition.” The PGCD is home to one of five cloudseeding programs in Texas. Cloud seeding is a form of weather modification used to stimulate clouds to produce rain.

AUSTIN—Data released by the Texas Workforce Commission indicates that upstream oil and natural gas employment grew in August by 2,600 jobs from July. July’s gains were revised down to a still-solid 3,100 jobs added.

AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced last week that he would be sending cities, counties, transit systems, and special-purpose districts $1.04 billion in local sales tax allocations for September, 13.1 percent more than in September 2021.

These allocations are based on sales made in July by businesses that report tax monthly.

AUSTIN—Railroad Commission of Texas commissioners last week adopted the state’s first weatherization rule for natural gas facilities to protect gas flow to power generators and ensure Texans have electricity during weather emergencies.

Texas A&M AgriLife will host the Hemphill County Mini Ag Conference on Monday, Sept. 12, beginning at 8 am in the Sand Sage Room of the County Exhibition Building. This conference is especially timely, saidCountyExtensionAgentAndyHolloway, noting that extreme heat and drought through the Western and Plains states have led to dire conditions for producers. “Over 1 million beef cows have been harvested this year above 2021 harvest levels to date,” he said. “The Texas cow herd is shrinking dramatically.” Furthermore, Holloway said, with the lack of crop production, including hay, the outlook for cattle producers is grim. “Thankfully, in Hemphill County, we have had some rain starting in late spring and off and on through our summer months to help grow at least some grass here. Because of those local circumstances, we have some real opportunities that many other producers do not have.” The conference, he said, is going to deep-dive into those opportunities, plus risk management strategies, weather outlooks through next spring, and drought-planning for our range pastures in dry conditions. RSVP by calling 806.323.9114 or emailing christa.perry@ag.tamu.edu. Cost is $25 per person, with lunch catered by Alexander’s.