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: 779

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

From the Middle East to Alberta: How Oil Tensions Are Raising Farm Costs

Even without supply shortages, risk premiums on diesel and fertilizer are cutting into farm profitability ahead of spring. A global oil chokepoint disruption is rippling into Alberta farms, raising input costs and adding uncertainty just ahead of seeding. Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East — particularly around the Strait of Hormuz — are once again sending shockwaves through global energy markets. While the disruption is thousands of kilometres away, Alberta farmers and seed growers are already feeling the effects through higher diesel and fertilizer costs, tightening margins ahead of the 2026 growing season. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical oil chokepoints, with roughly a fifth of global petroleum liquids passing through it each day. Any perceived threat to shipping in the region tends to trigger immediate price volatility, as markets price in risk even before physical supply is disrupted. That’s exactly what Alberta producers saw following the

Building Without a Permit Could Cost You More Than You Think

The National Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) is seeing a concerning trend: unauthorized construction at confined feeding operations has increased significantly. Complaints have increased by approximately 32 per cent from 2024, and enforcement actions have jumped by about 125 per cent. Under Alberta’s Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA), it is illegal to begin construction of a confined feeding operation, manure storage facility (such as an earthen manure storage or manure lagoon), or a manure collection area (such as a barn floor, feedlot pen, or catch basin) without first obtaining the required NRCB permits. Constructing before your permit application has been approved or building something different than stated in your permit are both also considered unauthorized construction. Consequences can include: Enforcement orders Prosecution Additional costs, such as depopulating livestock from unpermitted facilities Financial institutions are also asking for NRCB documentati

4-H Alberta programs and scholarships offer new opportunities for youth this spring

Alberta youth involved in 4-H will have a range of opportunities to build skills, gain experience, and plan for the future this spring, with new provincial programs and scholarships now open for 2026. As outlined in its latest Scoops newsletter, 4-H Alberta continues to emphasize hands-on learning and leadership development through its “learn to do by doing” approach, with upcoming programs designed to help members strengthen practical and life skills. Upcoming provincial programs Several provincial programs are scheduled in the coming months, including: Spring Senior Symposium The 4-H Alberta Spring Senior Symposium and Trip Selection, taking place April 30 to May 3 at Lakeland College. The program brings together senior members from across the province for leadership development, networking, and national and international travel selection opportunities. Ultimate Bullfighting and Equus Experience Another popular event returning this spring is the Ultimate Bullfighting and Equus

Serious concern with planned cuts to N.B. public vet services

Farmers and veterinarians worry these cuts will do more harm than good

Start early, talk openly: why transition planning matters more than ever

For many business owners, planning to transition what we’ve spent our lives building to the next generation of owners is something we know we need to do, but it’s also something we tend to put off.

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service