Agriculture

Opponents say this year's farm bill would significantly cut down on federal meal benefits for low-income Americans. Supporters say projected funding cuts are inaccurate.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has an updated plant hardiness zone map. Will the new map change what gardeners should plant this spring?

For the most part, trees are not native to the High Plains, but Lubbock Memorial Arboretum aims to give West Texans a way to enjoy nature and teach them about growing in a place that presents such unique challenges.

State and federal agriculture officials are investigating a disease impacting cattle in the Texas Panhandle and Kansas, officials with the Texas Farm Bureau say dairy farmers are taking extra precautions to protect their herds. and Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro has more on five individuals arrested for allegedly trafficking military-grade firearms to a Mexican drug cartel.

Texas Public Radio's Brian Kirkpatrick has more as back-to-back drought years have left hay supplies tight for Texas ranchers. The Texas Standard's Shelly Brisbin reports a plan to overhaul the way the Census Bureau counts people with disabilities received so much pushback that the agency is rethinking the way some questions will be asked.

Compared to other metropolitan areas, food in Lubbock is more affordable. However, that does not change the fact that some people are geographically removed from places that sell nutritious food.

Texas voters approved the establishment of a Texas University Fund. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on this effort to bring over $3 billion to state universities. Voters also approved an amendment designed to protect farmers and ranchers from municipal regulations. Our reporter Bishop Van Buren has details on the approval of Proposition 1.

Other commodities like wheat and corn are fetching a higher price than cotton.

Cotton is Texas’ largest crop, and industry experts say they expect just half the normal annual yield — which will drive up costs for consumers.

Researchers are learning that cows exposed to fire often give less milk, and horses, with their large lungs, take in a lot of smoke from fires.