Tagged News

• Trump is giving farmers $12B in aid. They've been hit hard by his trade war with China

  December 8, 2025 9:51 AM

  WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion farm aid package on Monday — a boost to farmers who have struggled to sell their crops while getting hit by rising costs after the president raised tariffs on China as part of a broader trade war. He unveiled... more »

• Texas A&M system approves new AgriLife Research Center in McAllen Play Video

  September 12, 2025 1:55 PM

  A multi-million dollar investment is on its way to the Rio Grande Valley. Texas A&M University has green-lit a new project. A new AgriLife Research Center will be built in north McAllen. The new facility is expected to drive growth in more ways than one. From training future... more »

• Emergency response activated in Texas after invasive pest found in the Valley Play Video

  September 9, 2025 11:09 PM

  The Texas Department of Agriculture announced on Tuesday they’re working to remove hibiscus plants from retail stores after invasive pests were found shipped into the state from Florida. According to a news release, the cotton jassid — also known as the two-spotted leafhopper — was detected in August in... more »

• 1.2M immigrants are gone from the US labor force under Trump, preliminary data shows

  September 1, 2025 11:02 AM

  It's tomato season and Lidia is harvesting on farms in California's Central Valley. She is also anxious. Attention from U.S. Immigration Control and Enforcement could upend her life more than 23 years after she illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border as a teenager. "The worry is they'll pull you... more »

• Valley cattle owners facing parasitic screwworm threat Play Video

  August 16, 2025 2:33 PM

  Screwworm is basically a type of fly that can cause major damage to cattle, and that's bad news for ranchers and beef prices. In June, a plan was announced to turn an old air base in Edinburg into a sterile fly production facility. The goal is stopping the screwworm... more »

• IBWC commissioner in Mexico advocating for water deliveries Play Video

  August 14, 2025 11:25 PM

  Farmers across the Rio Grande Valley met in Mercedes on Thursday as the head of the International Boundary and Water Commission visits Mexico to press the country to pay its water debt. IBWC Commissioner Chad McIntosh’s visit comes as Valley farmers struggle to maintain their land without water. ... more »

• After screwworm scare, US-Mexico border set to reopen for cattle imports

  July 1, 2025 7:33 AM

  MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico and the United States said they would gradually reopen the United States border to cattle imports from Mexico in July after U.S. agriculture officials suspended them in May over fears of the northward spread of the screwworm, agriculture officials in both countries said Monday. ... more »

• Valley ranchers concerned over screwworm threat following outbreak in southern Mexico Play Video

  June 7, 2025 1:05 PM

  A rancher is warning others about the potential spread of the screwworm. It's a fly that right is currently in southern Mexico, but it's been moving north. "You might have pets, you might have a horse, they are companion animals. This pest isn't a discriminator. It will infect... more »

• Texas won’t force private companies to use E-Verify to check workers’ immigration status, despite leaders’ tough talk

  June 5, 2025 2:58 PM

  " Texas won’t force private companies to use E-Verify to check workers’ immigration status, despite leaders’ tough talk " was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. This... more »

• A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year’s legislative session

  June 5, 2025 2:47 PM

  " A look at the wins rural Texas scored in this year’s legislative session " was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief... more »

• CON MI GENTE: Valley Citrus and Vegetable Show Play Video

  December 31, 2019 1:33 PM

  MERCEDES – Some may remember the old Valley Citrus and Vegetable Show, where 4-H and FFA member would visit local farms, harvest some of produce and then exhibit them in competition. Well, the show it back and it’s found a new home at the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show... more »

• New Rules to Protect Cattle from Harmful Chemicals Play Video

  May 7, 2019 10:47 PM

  WESLACO – New rules are on the way to protect Texas cattle against harmful chemicals. The chemicals are designed to wipe out cattle fever ticks, which can be deadly to livestock. The AG commissioner in Texas says the U.S. Department of Agriculture agreed to ventilate spray boxes used... more »

• Dynamic Weather Conditions Impacting Valley Citrus Growers Play Video

  February 19, 2019 4:51 PM

  WESLACO – The dynamic weather conditions is putting pressure on some local citrus growers. This year’s harvest is not the easiest due to the changes from extreme drought to record flooding. The vice president of Lone Star Citrus Growers says when the weather doesn’t allow workers in the... more »

• Crop Duster Pilots Concerned with Wind Farm Safety Issues Play Video

  February 11, 2019 4:22 PM

  WESLACO – Local agricultural aircraft pilots are concerned wind farms and towers are causing trouble. Blayne Rowland owns a crop dusting business that conducts most work in Willacy County. He says windmills have brought fears that he or one of his pilots will fly into one. “It... more »

• Citrus Grower Says Grapefruits' Lack of Growth Affecting Profits Play Video

  January 23, 2019 4:40 PM

  WESLACO – A Rio Grande Valley citrus grower a lack of growth is affecting his profits. Donald Thompson tells CHANNEL 5 NEWS he’s never seen the kind of heat seen last year in his 60 years of experience as a citrus grower. "We had a tremendous crop on... more »

• State Health Agency Sees Decrease of Cattle Fever Tick Cases Play Video

  January 1, 2019 7:01 PM

  EDINBURG – The state saw fewer signs of cattle fever ticks in two Texas counties. Hidalgo County was one where a quarantine zone is now closed. Other areas in the Rio Grande Valley remain in quarantine, but its better news for ranchers. The Texas Animal Health Commission... more »

• Santa Rosa Farmer Worried about New Farm Bill Protection Play Video

  December 24, 2018 3:31 PM

  SANTA ROSA – A local farmer wants to know if the newly signed farm bill will protect him. Santa Rosa farmer, George Rodriguez says most of his crops were destroyed by drought flooding this year. "We want this year to turn out on a good blessing and maybe... more »

• New Program to Help Agri Producers Who Lost Livestock Due to Weather-Related Disease Play Video

  May 1, 2018 2:59 PM

  WESLACO – A new program is in place to help agriculture producers who have lost livestock due to weather-related disease. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is now allowing a veterinarian to confirm the producer’s animal died as a result of adverse weather conditions. The veterinarian will have to prove that... more »