Patricia S. Perry

Feb 11, 2024 | kcbd.com | Patricia S. Perry

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Despite the recent moisture the South Plains is getting, ranchers are still trying to recover from the most recent drought. The United States Department of Agriculture is reporting the nation’s smallest cattle herd size in at least 25 years. The most recent report shows as of Jan. 1 there were 87.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms. So, throughout 2023 the nation’s cow herd size dropped 2%.

Jan 31, 2024 | kcbd.com | Patricia S. Perry

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - As some car manufacturers consider taking AM radios out of cars, a Floyd County radio host is hoping that won’t happen. When you get in tour car, you probably connect your phone and listen to a specific playlist or connect to an FM station. So, some car manufacturers have thought about taking AM completely out of vehicles. The host of All Ag All Day, Tony St. James, said there is a legislative push to keep them in. AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023 was introduced in May.

Jan 29, 2024 | kcbd.com | Patricia S. Perry

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - A report from the Government Accountability Office shows the United States may not know exactly how much land is owned by foreign entities. This comes after concerns regarding how foreign ownership could affect national security. A spokesperson for the Texas Farm Bureau, Gary Joiner, said farmers and ranchers just want to know who their neighbors are. “I think right now farmers and ranchers are asking for transparency,” Joiner said.

Jan 21, 2024 | kcbd.com | Patricia S. Perry

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - More cotton gins are closing or merging with others every year. As the drought took a toll on farmers’ operations, gins couldn’t harvest enough cash flow to stay afloat. Lubbock Cotton Growers merged with Lone Star Ag in Brownfield, and bought Liberty Co-op a few years ago. The Gin Manager, Jerry Butman, said it is getting harder to keep a gin in business as the price of everything has doubled making it harder to make ends meet.

Jan 18, 2024 | kcbd.com | Patricia S. Perry

LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - Congress temporarily avoided a government shutdown on Thursday by voting to pass a short-term spending bill to fund the government through March. A shutdown would have impacts on many aspects of our lives, including the agriculture industry, as farmers try to balance finances and make plans for the future. Even with a short-term spending bill, negotiations over a long-term solution will continue in Congress.