Monday paper edition
Free to run as written or cut. Plain AP-style text from USDA data for the week ending Oct 23, 2026. No ad, no sign-up line. Only the credit line.
6-inch version (144 words)
Calf prices mixed across Panhandle barns; drought eases in 6 counties
Steer calves weighing 500–599 lb averaged $374.61 to $425.43 per hundredweight across seven USDA-reported area sales held Oct 20–22, a spread of $50.82; the top average was at Dodge City. Compared with each barn's previous sale, the 5-weight steer average was higher at 3 barns and lower at 4. The seven sales reported 19,283 head in total.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Oct 20, 32 of the region's 49 counties had some severe drought (D2) or worse, and 20 had it across most of the county. Severe-or-worse coverage shrank by at least 5 points in 6 counties, including Wheeler (TX), Donley (TX), Collingsworth (TX), Childress (TX) and 2 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 (199 words)
Calf prices mixed across Panhandle barns; drought eases in 6 counties
Steer calves weighing 500–599 lb averaged $374.61 to $425.43 per hundredweight across seven USDA-reported area sales held Oct 20–22, a spread of $50.82; the top average was at Dodge City. Compared with each barn's previous sale, the 5-weight steer average was higher at 3 barns and lower at 4. The seven sales reported 19,283 head in total.
USDA's market reporter at Dalhart noted: "Sale results were largely mixed. Sentiment toward steer calves was largely to the lower side on few comparable sales."
On the U.S. Drought Monitor map dated Oct 20, 32 of the region's 49 counties had some severe drought (D2) or worse, and 20 had it across most of the county. Severe-or-worse coverage shrank by at least 5 points in 6 counties, including Wheeler (TX), Donley (TX), Collingsworth (TX), Childress (TX) and 2 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 20 showed 69% of the county in severe drought (D2) or worse, the 31st 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.