Economy

More farmers are opting to repair old tractors, combines and other machinery instead of buying new upgrades. A tough farm economy and historically-high equipment prices are at least partly to blame.

H-E-B is voluntarily recalling several of its jalapeño products due to potential salmonella contamination. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports the grocer's affected products were distributed to customers in Texas between July 3 and Aug. 5. Home insurance costs are soaring in Texas. Texas Public Radio's David Martin Davies explains new research suggests home insurance premiums are playing an increasingly important role in housing affordability across the state.

Abilene was sold on promises that data centers would transform their local economy. But some residents are wondering when the benefits will come.

Fewer people are buying cotton thanks to the rise of synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester. Now, the U.S. cotton industry wants to boost demand for American-grown cotton with tax credits and marketing campaigns.

Passing on the family farm to the next generation is typically an involved process, both financially and emotionally. A turbulent agricultural economy the past few years has made that transition even more difficult.

When Congress allowed Affordable Care Act tax credits to lapse, healthcare premiums spiked for millions of Americans — especially self-employed farmers and ranchers. That added cost is multiplying the stress on their already stretched balance sheets.

Rising grocery and fuel prices, immigration enforcement fears and the scaling back of SNAP benefits are among the factors advocates are concerned are contributing to the trend.

President Trump’s 25% tariffs on some Brazilian goods went into effect on July 22, with beef as one of the few exempted products. Our Charley Maranville reports this is causing a stir in the U.S. ranching industry, where leaders have been critical of Brazil’s practices.

The U.S. will resume limited imports of Mexican cattle on Aug. 24, reopening a trade route that had been closed for more than a year because of the northward spread of New World screwworm. The move comes as tight cattle supplies have pushed beef prices to record highs.

Data centers are no longer an emerging industry. Driven by cloud computing, crypto mining and artificial intelligence, they are spreading rapidly across Texas, and the projected cost of the tax break has climbed into the billions. On Monday, the state senate finance committee asked if it was time to end the sales tax break for data centers.