INDUSTRY BRIEFS

Statewide Landowner Survey Results Published

Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, a unit of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, recently published results of the 2022 Texas Landowner Survey, providing natural resource and conservation agencies, as well as policy makers with critical insight into the demographics, needs, challenges and preferences of landowners who operate private working lands across the state.

The voluntary survey, which received more than 5,000 responses, is conducted every five years as a collaborative effort between the Natural Resources Institute, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and other natural resource professionals.

The data collected by the survey aids natural resource agencies in developing and implementing educational resources and programming to benefit landowners and the landscapes they steward.

“I am hopeful this report will be helpful to both landowners and those who assist landowners,” said Angelica Lopez, Ph.D., research scientist with the Natural Resources Institute. “Understanding who we serve is vital to developing meaningful programs.”

According to the report, 83% of Texas is comprised of private, rural working lands that produce many benefits including food, fiber, recreation, ecosystem services and energy for the state and beyond. These working lands encompass the rangelands, farms and forestlands that not only support the economy, but also provide critical resources such as erosion and flood control, wildlife habitat, and improved water and air quality.

“Since private, rural working lands comprise most of the open space in Texas, private, rural landowners and their management decisions help shape our statewide resources,” said Roel Lopez, Ph.D., director of the Natural Resources Institute.

While operations vary in size, the results of the 2022 survey indicate 60% of respondents own less than 500 acres; 15% own between 500 and 1,000 acres; and 25% own more than 1,000 acres.

Survey results also indicate fewer respondents are deriving income from their lands — particularly those owning less than 500 acres. Collectively, 90% of respondents earned less than 30% of their income from their land.

Respondents answered wildlife, family and hunting were the primary drivers behind land ownership, closely followed by ranching and recreation. The most common recreational activities noted included hunting, wildlife watching and experiencing nature.

The survey also indicated landowners manage their lands for a variety of game species ranging from big game to upland and migratory game birds. For respondents who hunt, the preferred target wildlife species was overwhelmingly white-tailed deer.

The loss of Texas working lands to urban sprawl and associated development, as well as water issues, invasive species and ownership rights are among the primary concerns noted by responding landowners.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS SEVEN TO BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS, INCLUDING TWO TSCRA MEMBERS

Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Mike Khan and Cat Parks and reappointed Jennifer “Jen” Henderson, P.E., Judy Krohn, Ph.D., Traci LaChance, Jarrod Smith and Wayne Wilson to the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors for terms set to expire Feb. 1, 2029.

The board formulates plans deemed essential to the operation of the district and its administration in the control, storing, preservation, and distribution of the storm and flood waters of the Brazos River and its tributary streams. In addition, the authority may discover, develop, and produce groundwater in the Brazos River Basin for the use of its customers.

Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association members seated on the Brazos River Authority Board of Directors include Cat Parks and Wayne Wilson.

Parks is the co-owner and operator of the Trinity Ranches, located in Texas and New Mexico. She serves as a senior consultant for the Leadership Institute and was recently named president of the Coalition Por For Texas.

Wilson, of Bryan, is the owner of Wilson Cattle Co., a cow-calf and diversified stocker operation. Additionally, he is the former board chair of Aggieland Pregnancy Outreach, Brazos County AgriLife Extension Beef and Forage Committee, Brazos County Farm Bureau Board, and Brazos Valley Groundwater Conservation District and former director of Capital Farm Credit, ACA.

At time of press, these appointments were subject to confirmation by the Texas Senate.

CARTER APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER AT FORT WORTH STOCK SHOW & RODEO

After a successful 2023 Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, the board of directors, executive committee and officers of the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show met to receive reports on this year’s show and conduct official business.

Matt Carter was appointed general manager by the organization’s executive committee. Carter assumes the title and role previously held by longtime stock show officer, Brad Barnes.

In assuming the executive management position for the 127-yearold organization, Carter now directs its day-to-day operations. He joined the stock show’s full-time staff as senior executive vice president in 2021, but he previously served as a volunteer beginning as a livestock show superintendent in 2009 and was later elected to the organization’s board of directors and executive committee.

Barnes, who will continue serving in important governance and operational roles, was re-elected the organization’s president by the stock show’s board of directors who also elected other officers including: Edward P. Bass, chairman; Elaine Agather, secretary; Randy Rogers, treasurer; and Charlie Geren, vice president. Scott Kleberg and Phillip Williamson were also elected to new vice president positions to broaden participation in leadership roles with Fort Worth’s oldest and largest public event.

Barnes also reported on a recordbreaking 2023 Stock Show in his annual report to the organization’s membership. Estimated grounds attendance was 1,271,250 eclipsing the record set in 2020. Attendees included 1,097 visitors coming from 98 nations across the globe.

Pilot Project Tests Carbon Credit Revenue Streams

A pilot project underway in Bailey County in the Texas Panhandle could result in future carbon credit revenue streams for agricultural landowners in Texas and beyond.

Texas Agricultural Land Trust has partnered with AgriCapture to hold a conservation easement on 300 acres of pristine grassland habitat. The easement contains provisions that make the property eligible to receive carbon credits for storing and conserving soil carbon, as well as reducing emissions associated with crop production.

The pilot project in Bailey County will generate carbon credits as an avoided grasslands conversion project and follow the Grassland Protocol from Climate Action Reserve. The conservation easement held by Texas Agricultural Land Trust will forever protect the land from being converted to cropland and disturbing the underlying soil carbon.

The project creates an opportunity for Texas Agricultural Land Trust and AgriCapture to learn more about how carbon credits can be factored into conservation easements going forward. By providing an additional revenue stream for landowners, the financial burdens associated with putting a piece of property under a conservation easement are lessened.

Beef Exports Show Signs Of Rebound

According to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, March beef exports, while below last year’s high volume, were the largest since October 2022.

Beef exports totaled 120,495 metric tons in March, down 5% from a year ago. Export value fell 17% to $892.6 million, but both volume and value were the highest in five months. Through the first quarter, beef exports were down 8% year-over-year to 326,494 metric tons, valued at $2.35 billion, down 22%.

March beef exports to Mexico were well-above last year, while export growth to the Caribbean was highlighted by a record month for the Dominican Republic.

Exports also increased year-over-year to the Philippines, while beef variety meat demand strengthened in South Africa and Peru. March exports to South Korea were below last year, but were the largest in 10 months, while exports to China/Hong Kong were the largest since October.

“U.S. beef exports faced considerable headwinds late last year and at the beginning of 2023, but the March results show some encouraging trends,” said U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Most Asian markets showed renewed momentum in March, while exports continued to trend higher to Mexico, the Caribbean and South Africa.” T C