Fayette County 3rd in State in Beef Cattle Population, but the Numbers Here Falling

Fayette County AgriLife Extension Agents gave their annual report to the Fayette County Commissioners Court last Thursday.

Agriculture and Natural Sciences Agent Scott Willey reported that beef cattle production continues to be the primary agricultural industry in Fayette County. In 2023, beef production contributed $38.2 million to the gross regional product (equivalent to GDP). Average gross receipts between 2020 and 2023 amounted to $80.6 million. Those sales, he said, contribute $103 million in economic output and supported 2,032 jobs in Fayette County.

He quoted a 2024 article in Drovers that estimated Fayette County’s beef cow population at 57,925, which ranks third in Texas and 17th nationally. Impressive as that sounds, the number of cows has actually fallen since 2007-2008, when the County had approximately 75,000 head of beef cows.

The AgriLife Extension Office supports pesticide applicators by providing government- mandated training. The AgriLife office reported that approximately 600 people in Fayette County have a private, commercial or noncommercial pesticide applicator license.

Willey reported that row crop producers in Fayette County had average to aboveaverage yields in the 2025 growing season. Early conditions were dry at planting time for corn, but conditions improved in late spring and early summer. County corn growers averaged 60 to 80 bushels per acre last year.

AgriLife Youth Development Agent Kayla Kaspar reported that more than 250 fifth graders across the County participated in the 2025 Progressive Ag Safety Day. The students learned about safety on the farm and in the outdoors through multiple hands-on activities at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

Kaspar said Fayette County had about 410 4-H members in 2025. Those members participated in activities ranging from livestock projects and livestock judging to food and nutrition, technology, photography public speaking and more. Fayette County 4-H and FFA members livestock projects earned more than $2.2 million in sales in 2025.

Family and Community Health Agent Sally Garrett reported that the AgriLife office offered a variety of programs for childcare providers such as CPR and first aid workshops. In addition, AgriLife’s Healthy Aging program valuable resources to those 65 and older. Those aged 65 and up make up 12 percent of the state’s population. But here in Fayette County, that number is 26 percent. Garrett organizes a monthly lunch-and-learn series for the County’s older population. Topics in 2025 included fraud security, legal planning, medication management, safety and situational awareness and reliable internet surfing.

Garrett promoted AgriLife’s Walk Across Texas initiative, which encourages walking to improve quality of life. Garrett said 36 percent of Fayette County adults are obese and 25 percent are physically inactive. Ten percent of Fayette County adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. Last year, Walk Across Texas had 57 participants in Fayette County. This year, Garrett said the Walk Across Texas program will be incorporated with the National Semiquincentennial Celebration in Fayette County.

Garrett also handles AgriLife’s retail food safety program in Fayette County, which provides training and certifications for retail food workers. Garrett reported that 19 people completed food manager certifications with a 100 percent pass rate. She said 41 people completed the twohour food handler’s class.