If only he was eyeing a good stand of forage for his cattle. Levels in the state's major lakes as of late January were only at about eight-tenths of capacity, up 6 percent from late December and up 2 percent from the same month last year. The Texas Water Development Board's monthly report monitors 77 lakes that make up 98 percent of the state's stored capacity and that serve scores of municipalities. Under similar conditions last March, raging wildfires burned for days in the Panhandle,...

Because wild horses cannot be hunted and have no natural predators, BLM says they are prone to overpopulation and can compete with livestock for limited forage. Roger Oyler, BLM wild horse and burro specialist, said Yuma-area population numbers have stabilized during the extended drought period. Anyone who wants to bid has to fill out an application and have the necessary equipment, space and money to properly care for the animal. Oyler said the animals are collected by using helicopters...

These barns are the last remaining vestiges of a once rich agricultural community that thrived from the beginning of the town in the mid 1700s until World War II. During this time, farms, pastures and orchards dotted the landscape as many farmers tilled the land, raised produce and kept animals. The self-sufficient farms nourished many local families and also served as the breadbasket for Glens Falls and Lake George by providing vegetables, poultry, milk, butter and eggs to the community....

Shirley Roebke and her dog Jessi, pictured on the front porch of her house in rural Beatrice, were among those affected by a tornado that went through the area a year ago. Life is finally getting back to normal a year after a tornado tore through Gage County last April 15, the eve of Easter, but it took months, money and labor to make it happen. The new chicken houses were completed in November and are now holding the third batch of chickens since the new construction. Gary and Annette...

Scientists believe mobile phones could be the cause of the mysterious disappearance of millions of bees, which play a vital role in both agriculture and horticulture. One of the most potent symbols of natural efficiency and production could become an eery sign of the sacrifice we are making for technological progress. So without the humble bumblebee helping our agricultural production along, we would soon go hungry - or, at the very least, be seriously limited in what foods we could grow...