Agriculture

Amid a tough year for agriculture, the Lubbock County Junior Livestock Show proved the strength of community and youth dedication. From months of caring for animals to scholarship awards for graduating seniors, the annual event highlighted how the show raises more than livestock — it helps raise future leaders.

Under the current system, producers must be the sole owner-operator of their farm or ranch to qualify for loans from the federal government. A bipartisan bill would expand the eligibility requirements for applicants.

From the Dakotas to Texas, wheat acres have been on the decline, due to higher temperatures, drought and farmers shifting to more profitable crops. New innovations could rejuvenate the state of wheat production.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to send "bridge" payments to farmers who grow soybeans, cotton and other crops before March. Commodity groups and economists say the aid brings relief to farmers and their lenders, but they need long-term solutions.

Tumbleweeds have taken over the High Plains. They thrive so well that they are part of the culture of the West. But this ample supply of blowing weeds can hurt farm yields, wreak havoc on neighborhoods and cause fire dangers.

A federal ban on most hemp-derived THC products is expected to go into effect in November. It could eliminate the most profitable market for farmers who grow hemp.

Equine herpesvirus can spread easily and debilitate an animal. A recent outbreak canceled several events across the country, but animal health authorities say cases seem to be easing.

The announcement that Tyson would shutter a massive beef processing plant in Nebraska was the first such closure in more than a decade. Beef processors are running at lower capacity, as the U.S. cattle herd size is the smallest it's been since the 1950s.

More than 6,000 Texas smoke shops and related businesses could be forced to shut down if the ban goes into effect next November as scheduled. The industry is organizing a lobbying effort to get Congress to rewrite the law from a blanket prohibition to a regulatory approach.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Xcel Energy for negligence, which he alleges caused the 2024 Panhandle Wildfires. Our Samantha Larned reports Xcel has maintained its stance of accepting responsibility, while denying negligence. Tyson Foods plans to scale back production at its plant in Amarillo, eliminating more than 1,700 jobs. Harvest Public Media’s Molly Ashford reports on what that means for ranchers and consumers.