Agriculture

Cattle prices for ranchers have fallen since the executive order to bring in lean beef from Argentina.

Tucker and his Republican opponent, Nate Sheets, ran to replace longtime Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller.

Food and farm programs historically persist through the farm bill. Packaging multiple cross-party issues into one bill ensures rural and urban legislators come together to pass it. But that coalition has been fracturing over past farm bill cycles, creating uncertainty on the farm and in grocery stores.

As farmers face financial uncertainty, the Trump administration has moved to end protections on gray wolves that sometimes prey on livestock. But experts question if it's the right move for the species.

Areas around Lubbock, specifically Floyd County, saw moderate to severe drought conditions near the beginning of the pumpkin growing season.

A report released this week claims that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has moved forward with the review and approval of development related to data centers, despite a directive from Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Our Samantha Larned spoke with the author of that report. Farmers dealing with high fuel costs have been promised help by the Trump administration in the form of new one-time payments through an $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program. The latest federal forecast shows U.S. farmers are expected to pay nearly 30 percent more for fuel and oil this year compared to 2025.

Farmers are cutting less hay this year due to persistent drought, the soaring price of fuel and a new pest. That's driving up the cost for livestock producers, who often rely on hay to feed their animals during the winter.

Democratic Railroad Commission candidate Jon Rosenthal says Texas needs stronger oversight of natural gas facilities to prevent power disruptions during extreme winter weather. High diesel prices are affecting hay farmers – and the beef producers who buy from them. Harvest Public Media’s Michael Marks reports some of the usual customers are forgoing hay at the moment because they can’t afford to have it transported.

An international team of researchers recently pinpointed where humans domesticated what would become the dominant form of cotton grown around the world. Harvest Public Media’s Rachel Cramer reports they also uncovered information which could eventually help crop breeders. Early voting in the November midterm elections starts on Monday. Those living in Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District boundaries will have a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election on the ballot. If approved, the district expects the new tax rate to generate $3.85 million for Lubbock-Cooper ISD.

Researchers recently traced the birthplace of the world's dominant cotton species to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Their sleuthing also uncovered a treasure trove of genetic diversity in wild populations, which could eventually make the crop more resilient.