Co-op Talk Texas

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.

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.

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.

In this episode of Co-op Talk Texas, Paul Dubravec of Advance Trading shares insights from recent visits with South Texas producers, breaks down key USDA reports, discusses trade expectations and global events, and offers a macro view of producer sales across the U.S. A timely market update to help producers and cooperatives navigate today's grain markets.

In this episode of Co-op Talk Texas, Christy Lewis visits with Tim Brennan of the Farm Foundation to discuss the organization's mission and the programs supporting agriculture through research, leadership development, and policy dialogue. Learn how the Farm Foundation is building connections and shaping the future of agriculture.

Texas agriculture is facing serious water challenges. In this episode, we visit with Dr. Shane Walker with the Texas Produced Water Consortium to explore how produced water could become part of the solution. We also discuss Proposition 4 and how new water funding could support future opportunities for producers and cooperatives.

This episode of Co-op Talk Texas discusses regulatory wins with Kelley Green, Executive Vice President of the Texas Cotton Ginners' Association. This episode unpacks key outcomes from the 2025 Texas Legislative Session and highlights federal updates shaping our industry. Tune in to learn what these changes mean for cooperatives and producers.

In this episode of Co-op Talk Texas, Ilissa Nolan, Executive Director , Texas Hemp Coalition, unpacks the whirlwind journey of the proposed Texas ban on hemp-derived THC. We explore the bill's origins, its potential impact on retailers and agriculture, Governor Abbott's surprise veto, and what the hemp industry hopes to see moving forward.

In this episode of Co-op Talk Texas, Marcus Hill, Board Chairman of Ag Workers Insurance, shares how the company has served the ag community for over 75 years. Learn what sets Ag Workers apart, how the auto insurance world is changing, and tips to help you save on your premiums.

New World Screwworm is creeping back toward Texas. In this episode, TSCRA's Peyton Schumann joins Christy Lewis to explain the threat, what's at stake, how we stopped it before—and what it will take to stop it again.

Learn how to simplify sign-up, lower healthcare costs, and navigate reference-based pricing with insights from Triangle Insurance's Janna Haggard.