Monday paper edition
Free to run as written or cut. Plain AP-style text from USDA data for the week ending Oct 9, 2026. No ad, no sign-up line. Only the credit line.
6-inch version (143 words)
Calf prices mixed across Panhandle barns; drought eases in 30 counties
Steer calves weighing 500–599 lb averaged $388.59 to $420.94 per hundredweight across seven USDA-reported area sales held Oct 6–8, a spread of $32.35; the top average was at Beaver. Compared with each barn's previous sale, the 5-weight steer average was higher at 5 barns and lower at 2. The seven sales reported 15,161 head in total.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Oct 6, 38 of the region's 49 counties had some severe drought (D2) or worse, and 21 had it across most of the county. Severe-or-worse coverage shrank by at least 5 points in 30 counties, including Dallam (TX), Sherman (TX), Hansford (TX), Lipscomb (TX) and 26 more, and grew that much in none.
All 49 region counties are on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program list. Applications for 2026 losses are due March 1, 2027; FSA decides each operation's eligibility.
Source: Cownty (cownty.com), from USDA data.
10-inch version (201 words)
Calf prices mixed across Panhandle barns; drought eases in 30 counties
Steer calves weighing 500–599 lb averaged $388.59 to $420.94 per hundredweight across seven USDA-reported area sales held Oct 6–8, a spread of $32.35; the top average was at Beaver. Compared with each barn's previous sale, the 5-weight steer average was higher at 5 barns and lower at 2. The seven sales reported 15,161 head in total.
USDA's market reporter at Dalhart noted: "There were few comparable sales due to last weeks short run. A lower undertone was noted though, following with a weaker board."
On the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Oct 6, 38 of the region's 49 counties had some severe drought (D2) or worse, and 21 had it across most of the county. Severe-or-worse coverage shrank by at least 5 points in 30 counties, including Dallam (TX), Sherman (TX), Hansford (TX), Lipscomb (TX) and 26 more, and grew that much in none.
All 49 region counties are on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program list. Applications for 2026 losses are due March 1, 2027; FSA decides each operation's eligibility.
The nearest active New World screwworm zone in Texas (TAHC) is roughly 296 miles from Amarillo in a straight line. Animals leaving an infested zone need TAHC inspection and treatment.
Source: Cownty (cownty.com), from USDA data.
Paragraph for one paper's county (Hansford)
In Hansford County, the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Oct 6 showed 69% of the county in severe drought (D2) or worse, the 29th straight week with some. The county is on FSA's 2026 Livestock Forage Disaster Program list for up to 5 monthly payments; applications for 2026 losses are due March 1, 2027, at the county FSA office.
Each opted-in paper gets a paragraph for each of its own counties, added under either version.