Agriculture

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is barring horses, pigs, cattle and other animals from Texas due to concerns over New World screwworm, a parasitic fly.

While there are have been at least 35 cases of the New World screwworm in the U.S. this year, Mexico has recorded more than 30,000 cases. The U.S. suspended imports of live Mexican cattle in May of last year over screwworm concerns. Texas Public Radio's Stephania Corpi reports the nations' cattle industries depend on one another. A new report warns Texas could see a sharp increase in pollution as Al data centers fuel demand for natural gas power plants.

Mexico's cattle industry is facing a convergence of drought, disease and disrupted trade that has cut northern Mexican ranchers off from the U.S. market that shaped them for more than a century.

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.