to overstep private property rights. Zippy Duvall, American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) president, addressed the measure early in 2021. He hit on it again earlier this year at the AFBF convention. “America's farmers and ranchers have enrolled 140 million acres in conservation programs,” Duvall said.“We have tripled our use of renewable energy on the farm. And we are producing more with less while protecting our land, air and water.” Despite less news about the program, the Stop 30 by 30 Summit organizers believe uneasiness remains that Uncle Sam may try to make himself too welcome on your ranch or farm. “If agriculture stands up and says ‘no,’ this thing [30 by 30] cannot get through,” Byfield said. Managing Production Inputs While producers are concerned about further government infringement onto private property, as well as setting new regulations on land leased from the government, higher production input costs are also creating more headache for them.
COVER STORY
Francisco Abello, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economist, told SW Beef Symposium attendees that managing input costs requires precise information.“Producers need to know their exact costs, just like a ‘regular business’ [outside of agriculture],” he said. “Long-term vision is needed. That and a business plan keeps us focused on our short-term goals and potential impacts and [helps] be prepared for future problems.” Ranchers need to anticipate higher costs and possible supply chain disruptions of inputs, Abello stressed. He suggested that producers: • Measure and analyze past performance • Build budget and breakeven prices • Push for permanent cost control and resource optimization • Make long-term projections He said better cattle price risk management would be helpful for producers who lock in high input costs to protect against further cost increases.
“These practices should help maximize profits,” Abello concluded.
Improving Preg Testing Successful herds cannot afford to see low pregnancy rates. Ky Pohler, associate professor chairman of Texas A&M Pregnancy and Developmental Programming, said producers should know the pregnancy status of their herds to help improve nutrition management and marketing plans. He noted that whether using rectal palpation, ultrasound or PAGS (pregnancy associated glycoproteins) chemical tests to determine pregnancy, producers should use a preg-testing program that is proven in their operation. “Ultrasound testing provides near 100 percent accuracy,” Pohler said, adding that ultrasound and PAGS testing should be conducted after 28 days of gestation.“Producers need to be ready to make [culling] decisions on open cows.” In addition, decisions on culling of open and even pregnant cows must also be considered if drought continues to scorch pastures. It will be a touch-and-go situation, noted Dave Dubois, New Mexico State University climatologist. “There is a 40 to 50 percent chance that La Niña will continue through summer,” he said.“Nearly all of west Texas and eastern New Mexico were far below the average precipitation from October through February [and well into spring].” With that, and even harsher drought forecasts, it’s a virtual guarantee that ranchers and other landowners will make better decisions than federal government bureaucrats in managing their pastures and other land against environmental conditions.
Margaret Byfield, executive director of American Stewards of Liberty, warns against the government's 30 by 30 “land grab” program.
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