Some portions of ag country are experiencing an arctic blast right now, which they have not seen in decades.
The Northern Plains are seeing temps as low as -30º and snow is on the beaches of Florida. That causes concern for Florida’s citrus and strawberry crops and sugarcane in Louisiana.
On the other hand, over-wintering crops like wheat stand to benefit from the snow cover which acts like insulation from the bitter cold.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey addressed the cold’s impact on livestock:
“All of this cold comes with some risk for livestock. We do have the bitter cold, in some cases high winds accompanying that. The one piece of good news is that we don’t have a lot of wetness or wind or snow as just flat-out cold. We are watching some increased stress on the animals. A little tougher to keep the weight on the animals this time of year, as a lot of the energy goes into staying warm.”
Now that cold has also reached Texas where the state’s port activity was impacted by the rare winter storm.
The Port of Houston closed its public facilities while Freeport had very limited vessel activity. Both areas experienced heavy snow, ice, and high wind gusts.
Strong export demand supports barge markets, but weather risks remain.
February 26, 2026 07:00 AM
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Michael Kelsey of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association joined us with the latest on the Oklahoma wildfires, recovery efforts for ranchers, and the role agriculture leaders are playing in supporting rural communities.
February 25, 2026 12:13 PM
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According to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, fire crews remain on alert statewide as Red Flag conditions persist. Officials warn that even contained fires can reignite quickly under current weather conditions.
February 24, 2026 05:46 PM
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The Ranger Road Fire in the Oklahoma Panhandle is now 65% contained after burning nearly 300,000 acres over the past week. Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance Agency discusses wildfire recovery, livestock insurance considerations, and the importance of preparedness for producers across the Southern Plains.
February 24, 2026 12:28 PM
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Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
February 23, 2026 11:08 AM
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New details on the massive wildfire threatening farms and ranches in the Southern Plains.
February 20, 2026 11:24 AM
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