The Future of Farming and Ranching in Texas

One thousand acres per day. That’s how much farm and ranch land we’re losing across Texas each day. Rising land market values; low profit margins and high operating costs for traditional business models; land development pressure (especially around major metro areas); competition from foreign producers; loneliness/mental health issues; and an aging landowner population are all contributing factors. Bake in near-constant attacks from climate activists and uncertainty surrounding the use of synthetic weed and pest control products , and you have a recipe for upending a community of people and an industry on which we all depend.

Our farmers and ranchers are some of the best people in this world. I am not alone in saying that I want to see a thriving, prosperous agricultural community throughout our state… now and into the future. Frankly, I don’t want us to be dependent primarily on foreign producers to feed our families. Thankfully, all is not lost.

Through the use of regenerative practices; more efficient and diversified business models; direct-to-consumer sales; and a lot of prayer, actively producing Texas farmers and ranchers will continue to adapt and overcome. Moreover, I suspect there is an increasing number of younger people who are interested in adopting that strenuous lifestyle… myself included.

With all of the previously stated challenges, how can you succeed in this business without having grown up in it and without having an existing family farm fall into your lap? I have a few ideas:  smaller acreage operations where profit-per-acre and wildlife/land/soil conservation are the focus; low-to-no debt business plans; creative financing for land and equipment purchases; and networking with local producers to learn what actually works and to minimize costly mistakes. That last point, along with a healthy amount of grit and resilience, are absolutely critical for success.

The future of farming and ranching in our state is bright. Good people across rural Texas will continue to faithfully march on as they always have, and a new generation of ag producers will continue the legacy of those who came before us. They will undoubtedly provide the fresh, nutritious meat and produce that we all need to feed our families… just like our farmers and ranchers always have.