Agriculture

In some parts of Kansas, groundwater is polluted with enough nitrates that it can fulfill some of the fertilizing needs for farmers.

New federal rules for dicamba aim to help cotton and soybean farmers control weeds. But the herbicide, which can kill other crops and trees, remains controversial.

A preliminary court order reinstated federal grants largely helping Black, Indigenous, veteran and immigrant farmers access land, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture cut earlier this year. Now, organizations are cautiously moving forward with their projects.

The New World screwworm parasite has been in Mexico for more than a year and a half. Now that it's crossed the border, the United States could turn south for direction.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a new program to expand fertilizer manufacturing in the United States as a response to rising input costs for farmers. Our Samantha Larned reports on the $500 million grant program. In Grandury, Texas, more than 800 residents are asking city leaders to declare no confidence in the city's manager and attorney due to the city's handling of a proposed AI data center on recently annexed land.

The Trump administration lowered tariffs on farm equipment last month. But with economic pressures on farmers, equipment dealers and manufacturers, the move may not bring much relief.

The U.S. contains the fewest cattle since 1951, which is pushing beef prices up. Expanding the herd has been complicated for ranchers, however.

Beef prices at the grocery store are already high, but the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects they could rise another ten percent by the end of the year. Harvest Public Media’s Michael Marks reports the U.S. cattle herd is at its smallest since 1951. With Independence Day this Saturday, our Riley Wilson reports that Lubbock Police are encouraging the public to report illegal fireworks in the city. You can file a crime report on the LPD's crime reporter here or contact the non-emergency line at (806) 775- 2865. The National Safety Council’s fireworks guidelines can be found here.

An official review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement begins in July. President Trump already has suggested the U.S. would be better off without it.

Parkinson’s is the world’s fastest growing neurological disorder. Experts worry that people living and working in pesticide-laden agricultural regions are especially at risk.