Ag News Briefs
Texas Wheat board approves new silage assessment Texas wheat farmers will begin paying a new silage assessment of 16 cents per ton beginning with the 2026 harvest, following approval by producers in a statewide referendum.
The Texas Wheat Producers Board adopted the assessment to support research into small grain silage production, which has expanded in recent years as demand for livestock forage grows.
Funds from the assessment will help finance studies on harvest timing, forage quality and production methods aimed at improving profitability for producers.
The board has already approved funding to help purchase a silage header for Texas A&M AgriLife Research to support additional studies in the High Plains.
Industry leaders say the research will help farmers better balance grain yields with forage production.
Chicken prices could rise as production slows Chicken prices may increase later this year as poultry production begins to slow, according to Texas A&M AgriLife Extension economists.
U.S. broiler production rose to 47.5 billion pounds in 2025, up from 46.5 billion pounds in 2024, but prices have dropped from highs reached last year.
Lower prices could lead producers to reduce output, which typically results in higher market prices.
Strong consumer demand is also supporting the poultry market as beef prices remain high.
However, poultry producers remain concerned about potential disruptions from avian influenza, or bird flu, which can affect breeder flocks and reduce chick hatchability for broiler production.
Experts say chicken will likely remain one of the most affordable protein options compared with beef as grilling season approaches.
Texas A&M lab helps pond owners manage water quality, fish health With more than 1.3 million private ponds across Texas, a Texas A&M AgriLife laboratory is helping landowners diagnose problems affecting fish, water quality and aquatic vegetation.
The Texas A&M AgriLife Aquatic Diagnostics Laboratory in Bryan-College Station is the state’s only public lab dedicated specifically to pond and aquaculture diagnostics.
The facility analyzes water samples, identifies fish diseases and parasites, and helps pond owners manage algae growth and aquatic plants.
In 2025 the lab handled 149 diagnostic cases across Texas and 14 other states, helping manage nearly 10,000 acres of private waters valued at more than $26 million.
Lab director Dr. Todd Sink, an AgriLife Extension aquaculture specialist, said thousands of new ponds are built in Texas each year, making access to diagnostic tools and expert guidance increasingly important for landowners.
“It’s critical that pond owners know they have access to the tools and knowledge necessary to tend these resources and achieve their management goals,” Sink said.
For more information about the laboratory and available testing services, pond owners can visit https://fisheries. tamu.edu/aquatic-diagnostics-laboratory/ or contact the lab at 979-845-2226.
Cherry compounds show promise against aggressive breast cancer Researchers at Texas A&M University say compounds found in dark sweet cherries may help slow the spread of one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer.
The study focused on anthocyanins, natural pigments that give cherries and other fruits their deep red color. Researchers found the compounds slowed tumor growth and reduced the spread of triple-negative breast cancer in laboratory studies.
Triple-negative breast cancer is considered especially dangerous because it grows quickly and has fewer treatment options than other forms of the disease.
Scientists found that mice treated with cherry-derived anthocyanins showed slower tumor growth and less cancer spread to organs such as the lungs. When combined with chemotherapy, the compounds appeared to improve treatment effectiveness and reduce cancer-related gene activity tied to metastasis.
Researchers say more studies are needed to determine how the compounds might work in human cancer treatments.