What's your question? Ask

Yes, the top can be cut off of a ponytail palm and new growth will appear in a month or so. I even read that if you place the cut-off top into the soil, it will develop a root system and grow a new plant.

For more information on pruning ponytail palms, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/pruning-ponytail-palms.htm

Though a Ponytail Palm needs a well draining sandy soil, sand alone would not hold up or sustain a Ponytail Palm.
The soil mix need some amount of organic or loamy mix with sand.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palms-outside.htm

Some aging of leaves are common on the plant. Lower leaves will drop off and new leaves will grow from the top.

If you are watering with conditioned water or over fertilizing salts can build up in the soil and turn the tips of the leaves brown.
Make sure that you are not overwatering your Ponytail and that the soil is well draining.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/ponytail-palms-outside.htm

Your palm is infected by Scale.
Neem Oil can be used to treat the plant.

Here are some links with more information.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/palms/sticky-palm-tree-leaves-treatment-for-palm-scale.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm

Ponytail palms are propagated via their pups which are smaller versions of itself that sprout from the base of the mother. More information on propagating from pups can be found here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/propagating-ponytail-palm-pups.htm

However you are talking about shoots coming out of the top, not the base. I do not have a photo to go by, but I am pretty certain that this is simply new growth which is a natural process. Sometimes new growth is initiated after the ponytail is pruned.

Yes, you can!
Allow the seeds to dry on the plant before harvesting.
Here is more information on the process.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ponytail-palm/propagating-ponytail-palm-pups.htm