Lowering beef prices won’t help cattle ranchers rebuild the market.

Regarding “Trump announces plan to lower beef prices, but ranchers and some Republicans are already balking,” (Aug. 21): I’d like to provide a bit of local, Texas context on beef prices and the struggles of rural Texans. Although the plan may incrementally reduce consumer beef prices on a temporary basis, it will certainly damage Texas ranchers and our ability to increase the U.S. cattle herd.  

I have operated a cattle and hay ranch in East Texas for over 25 years. In Anderson County, we’re already in the middle of a drought. I’m feeding expensive hay bales reserved for winter food supplies because there is currently very little grass forage in my pastures. I won’t “break even” this year. Undercutting the cattle market is simply going to drive more cattle producers out of the business.

Here are a few items that might help stabilize Texas ranchers and farmers. Pass the country-of-origin labeling bill pending in Congress. Texas consumers at least deserve to know where their beef originated. Since 80% of the beef processed in the U.S.is controlled by four companies, break them up. Remember Standard Oil and Bell Telephone? Also, ensure access to affordable water. It is the lifeblood of the agricultural industry. 

For example, rural East Texans are currently in the middle of a water war with a wealthy Dallas investor who’s trying to pump billions of gallons of water for export to distant cities for profit. The Houston Chronicle previously published an article on this issue. We shouldn’t allow wealthy private equity companies to exploit ambiguities in our water laws. This can be done by forcing the Texas legislature to clarify the Texas Water Code to prevent large-scale exploitation and extraction of our local aquifers.

Steven Dickerson, Spring 

Regarding “Greg Abbott has moved on data centers. Will it stop a rural revolt?” (Aug. 11): This article confirms that the somnolent, rural residents who voted for Gov. Greg Abbott have now awakened to the fact that their governor has not been working in their best interests. Texas now has 335 data centers – with at least 248 more on the way — thanks to Abbott’s original enticement with tax abatements and his incessant “Texas is great for business” policies.

But now the political winds have shifted, and our chameleon governor has once again revealed his mini-me Trump TACO aspirations. His original enticement and support for big business have proven to be detrimental to his political future, so let’s camouflage the truth because his rural base is upset! Our chameleon, now drawing a hostile tone, says let’s “audit” them! Pray tell, how is an “audit” going to improve the power and local water supply on which these data centers gorge, even if their tax abatements are reduced?

Will his rural base make the related connection between Abbott and their water and power problems, or will they give him an undeserved fourth term? They did so after the big freeze a few years ago and even after multiple power outages. So, not having learned from history, I’m betting they give him a fourth term. 

Lawrence J. Madigan, Houston

Regarding “Trump keeps embracing data centers even as they become toxic in midterm races,” (Aug. 20): Trump said, “If I was the mayor of a town or the governor of a state, and I had a chance to get a big plant in, an AI plant or a data center — I would absolutely want it because the jobs are enormous and the money paid, the taxes paid, are just enormous.”

Well, I think someone should call his hand and propose he take all necessary action to build a data center next door to his pride and joy, Mar-a-Lago. He could also donate the water used to water his golf greens, build a sound wall and a power plant to serve this facility. I think this would prove his true belief in data centers and would set a good example for mayors and governors to follow. I’m waiting for this to happen.

Regarding “25K Texas oil and gas wells could soon fail, become ‘zombie wells’,” (Aug. 20): As a former oil and gas industry worker, I consider the Railroad Commission one of the most important regulators in the state of Texas. The recent story about the 25,000 zombie wells throughout the state of Texas, which present a danger to the health of our communities and the environment, is an object lesson in why. 

The Railroad Commissioners are elected. Specifically, there is one position open on the November ballot. Our vote can support strong regulators who hold oil and gas operators accountable and who step in with proactive solutions early. I urge all Texas voters to research the qualifications, priorities and values of the candidates in these lower-profile but consequential races and then vote the whole ballot in November. Make sure to check your voter registration status and help others do the same. The last day to register for this November’s election is Oct. 5.

Sarah Berel-Harrop, Farmers Branch