Texas agriculture

Far from the Capitol, students at Texas Tech spend time examining the quality of beef for meat judging competitions.

Lawmakers also continued funding for a farmer suicide prevention hotline.

Scientists in Kansas, Missouri and other states were poised to start research to cut U.S. reliance on fertilizer imports, keep biofuel farming cost-competitive and tackle a potent greenhouse gas.

The spring planting season is getting started for many Midwest farmers. Federal data suggests that fewer acres will be planted in soybeans than last year, in part because of the U.S. trade war with China.

Republican politicians and an interest group have sown fear over a voluntary process.

Relief could be on the way for South Texas farmers facing a crippling water shortage. On Friday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said the country would make "an immediate water delivery" to Texas farmers.

Gov. Greg Abbott has made water a priority for this legislative session. Lawmakers will debate whether to invest more into new water supplies or repairing old, leaking pipes around Texas.

The United States denied Mexico’s request for a special delivery of Colorado River water on Thursday, citing Mexico’s ongoing failure to meet its obligations under an 80-year-old water-sharing treaty between the two countries.

The Trump administration recently reinstated the practice of detaining immigrant adults and children together. Two detention facilities in South Texas are at the center of that controversial decision.

The cancellation of two programs will affect more than $1 billion in expected funding this year. Food advocates worry the cuts are coming when other federal food programs are at risk.