Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

From the Capitol to cattle

Day 5 of our tour started with the drive from College Station to the capital city of Austin. We headed to the Capitol, taking in the architecture and city sights. We also learned a few fun facts about the Capitol building, such as it is taller than the US Capitol building!

Our first speaker was Christi Craddick, Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission. Although the Texas Railroad Commission started in the 1920’s regulating the Texan railroads, today the agency regulates the oil and natural gas industry, in addition to coal and uranium mines.


Texas produces three million barrels of oil each day, with over 450,000 miles of pipeline, accounting for one third of the USA oil demand.


Chairman Craddick shared further information on the oil and gas industries with us, and also provided her insights on leadership. She is the only statewide elected woman in Texas (other than judges), and is instrumental in mentoring other women and encouraging them to take on leadership and political roles.


Next we heard from Jennifer Rabb and Joaquin Guadorrama from the Budget Office of the Texas Lt. Governor. They shared with us that Texas is open for business with a strong economy, and further explained the Texan tax structure and overall state budget. We were surprised to learn that Texas can’t run budget deficits!


After lunch in the Capitol, we then met with Jason Fearneyhough, Deputy Agriculture Commissioner. We enjoyed an excellent question and answer session with him, discussing a wide range of topics. We learned that 1 in 7 Texan jobs are in agriculture, and Ag is the second largest economy in Texas (after oil and gas). Farmers in Texas experience similar challenges to farmers in Ontario, such as weather, cyclical markets, increasing regulation, declining rural populations, and mental health. Jason also discussed the impact social media can have on agriculture.

To wrap up our Capitol visit, Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz gave us a guided tour of the building. We saw all the highlights, including the Legislature, Senate, and even the Lt. Governor’s reception room! We learned that the Texas Legislature meets for five months every two years. We really appreciated Dr. Jim’s knowledge and connections that let us see behind the scenes!


As we left Austin, Brendan and Bernice provided a Sponsor Spotlight on the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. We learned more about OFA and their areas of focus. A big thanks to OFA for their support of AALP.


Our last stop of the day was to Schwertner Land & Cattle Company – Capitol Land & Livestock. Established in 1946, this is a family business on 20,000 acres of land, and we were happy to have Jimmy Schwertner as our host. They buy farm and ranch fresh calves and yearlings in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. This provides a market opportunity for smaller cattle farmers, and they are known for their 45-day weaning program. Thanks to Jimmy for an informative and fun tour of his operation.


We finished off a great day by heading to our hotel in Waco. This officially marks the halfway point in our tour. Time is flying by as we discover more about Texas!

Views: 806

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Ag in Gotham City

Some Batman connections to agriculture for Batman Day

Four Saskatchewan Growers Acclaimed to SaskOilseeds Board

SaskOilseeds has verified four eligible nominations for four available positions on its Board of Directors following the close of the 2026 call for nominations. With the number of eligible nominees equal to the number of available positions, all four nominees have been acclaimed and will renew or begin their terms following the SaskOilseeds Annual General Meeting in January 2027. The strong interest shown by Saskatchewan oilseed growers reflects the commitment of producer leaders to advancing research, advocacy, and market development on behalf of the province’s canola and flax sectors. SaskOilseeds extends its appreciation to all growers who participated in the nomination process and to those who put their names forward for consideration. Congratulations to the following individuals who have been acclaimed and will join or continue on the SaskOilseeds Board of Directors: Additional biographical information about each acclaimed director will be shared soon. SaskOilseeds is governed

Trade with the U.S.

Importance of the U.S. market The U.S. remains one of canola’s most important and long-standing markets, valued at $5.7 billion in 2025. Developments in the Canada–U.S. trade relationship are therefore a key concern for Saskatchewan canola farmers. While tariff uncertainty continues to affect markets, canola seed, oil and meal remain eligible for tariff-free trade with the U.S. under the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). SaskOilseeds continues to work with national industry partners to advocate for the agreement, preserve tariff-free market access and support mutually beneficial trade. Free and open trade benefits both countries The North American canola industry is highly integrated, creating value across the supply chain on both sides of the border. The U.S. is Canada’s leading canola market and the largest export destination for Canadian canola oil and meal. In the U.S., Canadian canola industry contributes $11.2 billion USD in economic activity and supports 22,000

Keeping Canada Competitive: Why Gate Matters

Canada’s cereals sector leads Canadian agricultural exports, exporting wheat, barley, oats, and durum to more than 80 countries around the world. These exports contribute approximately $12.8 billion annually to the Canadian economy. This success did not happen by chance. It reflects decades of investment, innovation, and collaboration across the value chain. From plant breeders and life science companies to farmers, grain handlers, and exporters, thousands of Canadians work every day to develop, produce, and deliver high-quality grain that meets the evolving needs of global customers. Canada is a global leader today but maintaining that position will require continued commitment and investment. Sustaining Growth in a Competitive Global Market The cereals sector has been a significant driver of economic growth, achieving an average annual growth rate of 3.6% over the past decade. If that trend continues, export value could increase from $12.8 billion in 2025 to an estimated $18.3 bi

Inspiring USask alumni to be honoured with achievement awards

The University of Saskatchewan (USask) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Alumni Achievement Awards, one of the university’s highest honours. “On behalf of the USask community, I extend our congratulations to this year’s exceptional award winners,” said USask President and Vice-Chancellor Vince Bruni-Bossio (MBA’10, PhD’21). “USask is proud to have more than 180,000 alumni living in 130 countries around the world. Our Alumni Achievement Award recipients exemplify the remarkable contributions that USask alumni are making every day, and their innovation, determination, and dedication inspires us all.” Alumni Achievement Awards are presented each year to outstanding USask alumni who have made an impact on their communities and around the world. The award recipients are nominated by their peers and are chosen based on their achievements, commitment to excellence, community engagement, leadership, and contributions to the wellbeing of society. “This year’s Alumni Achievem

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service