Business

Body ABILENE—Smooth Ag Solutions has announced that it is establishing its first operating center in Miami. This location will act as a center for beta testing on nearby ranches, along with R&D and Rover servicing.

Body Texas Railroad Commission reports Oct. ‘22 drilling permit, completion stats AUSTIN—The Texas Railroad Commission issued a total of 851 original drilling permits in October 2022 compared to 768 in October 2021.

Body MINNEAPOLIS—Xcel Energy announced this week a proposal to advance the retirement of coal operations at Tolk Generating Station in Texas to 2028, more than four years earlier than planned.

Body The Texas Well Owner Network, TWON, is hosting two “Well-Informed” water well screening events on Nov. 15 in White Deer and Nov. 17 in Hereford, and a “Well-Educated” event on Nov. 16 in Canadian.

Body WASHINGTON— Agricultural producers can now change election and enroll in the agriculture risk coverage (ARC) and price-loss coverage (PLC) programs for the 2023 crop year, two key safety-net programs offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Body AUSTIN—Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced last week the allocation of $1.06 billion in local sales taxes for October, 17.4 percent more than in October 2021. Checks will go to cities, counties, transit systems, and special-purpose districts in Texas.

Body TEMPLE—The Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) recently received a grant of $3,992,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Body Texas RRC reports Sept. ‘22 drilling permit and completion stats AUSTIN—The Texas Railroad Commission issued a total of 984 original drilling permits in September 2022 compared to 801 in September 2021.

Body The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is accepting comments on a proposal that would allow the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly called drones, to locate feral hogs at night for hunters on the ground.

Body Mike Carter, director of the Playa Lakes Joint Venture in Lafayette, Colorado, will highlight a panel of speakers at the Stewarding Our Aquifer Field Day presented by Ogallala Commons (www. ogallalacommons.org) on Thursday, October 13.