Co-op Talk Texas

Workforce rules continue to change for agricultural employers. Kelley Green with the Texas Cotton Ginners' Association joins Co-op Talk Texas to discuss the latest developments involving H-2A wage rates and CDL issues affecting agricultural drivers—and what cooperative managers need to know right now.

Join us for a practical discussion with Alicia Postigo of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs on Texas' updated Migrant Labor Housing regulations. Learn what changed under the 2025 law, how inspections work, common compliance mistakes, increased penalties, and the resources available to help agricultural employers stay compliant. Contact Alicia Postigo at [email protected].

Correction: Housing is required to have 1 shower per 10 people (not 20 as stated in the podcast).

Links referenced in podcast:

Texas Administrative Code (Standards and Inspections): https://tinyurl.com/5h9yawm6

TDHCA Migrant Housing Resources/Information: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/migrant-labor-housing-facilities

Additional clarification on penalties:

10 TAC §§90.8 (J) In the event that there are multiple findings of noncompliance subject to civil penalties that fall under multiple groups in the attached schedule, the civil penalty shall be for the higher penalty amount.

Join us for a practical discussion with Alicia Postigo of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs on Texas' updated Migrant Labor Housing regulations. Learn what changed under the 2025 law, how inspections work, common compliance mistakes, increased penalties, and the resources available to help agricultural employers stay compliant. Contact Alicia Postigo at [email protected].

Correction: Housing is required to have 1 shower per 10 people (not 20 as stated in the podcast).

Links referenced in podcast:

Texas Administrative Code (Standards and Inspections): https://tinyurl.com/5h9yawm6

TDHCA Migrant Housing Resources/Information: https://www.tdhca.texas.gov/migrant-labor-housing-facilities

Additional clarification on penalties:

10 TAC §§90.8 (J) In the event that there are multiple findings of noncompliance subject to civil penalties that fall under multiple groups in the attached schedule, the civil penalty shall be for the higher penalty amount.

Following the USDA's latest WASDE report, grain markets are shifting. Join Paul Dubravec of Advance Trading as he breaks down the report's key takeaways, explains the market reaction, discusses weather, basis, and producer selling, and shares insights on tariffs, international trade, and potential opportunities with China.

Who owns the data generated on your farm? In this episode of Co-op Talk Texas, Rocky Weber of the Nebraska Cooperative Council discusses the nation's first agricultural data privacy law, why it was needed, how it was passed, and what it could mean for producers and policymakers across the country.

Texas Corn Producers Executive Director David Gibson joins Co-op Talk Texas to discuss the FTC's recent fertilizer industry listening session in McKinney, Texas, and the agency's newly announced investigation into fertilizer pricing and market concentration. Learn why producers are concerned about rising input costs and what this could mean for farmers, cooperatives, and consumers.

*If you have information or concerns regarding fertilizer pricing, availability, or market practices that may assist the FTC's investigation, you can submit your comments to [email protected]. The FTC has indicated that all complaints and submissions will be kept completely confidential.

Watch FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson's speech in McKinney, Texas (approximately 14 minutes long): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1H2SRebmolU&feature=youtu.be

Join Christy Lewis on Co-op Talk Texas for a conversation with Nate Sheets about his journey from entrepreneur to Republican candidate for Texas Ag Commissioner and his vision for the future of Texas agriculture. They discuss rural communities, water, innovation, and opportunities ahead for producers, agribusinesses, and cooperatives across Texas.

Listen to a special edition of Co-op Talk Texas featuring a timely grain markets update with Paul Dubravec from Advance Trading. Following the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report from the United States Department of Agriculture, this quick conversation focuses on what the report did—and didn't—tell us, along with the outside factors currently influencing markets. From global uncertainty to input costs and planting considerations, we break down what producers and cooperatives should be watching right now.

In this episode of Co-op Talk Texas, Christy Lewis visits with Tas Smith of the National Cotton Council about the Buying American Cotton Act. They discuss how the legislation could strengthen demand for U.S.-grown cotton, where the bill stands in Congress, what NCC has done so far, and how producers and cooperatives can support the effort.

This special episode of Co-op Talk Texas features a practical excerpt from co-op attorney Gary McLaren addressing one of the most common board governance questions: when to hold an executive session and how to properly handle meeting minutes. Clear guidance every cooperative director and manager should understand.