By BETSY BLANEY Associated Press
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) - State agriculture officials say more than 7,150 feral hogs were killed as part of a competition to curb their numbers and limit the hundreds of millions of dollars in damage caused to crops and ranchland every year.
The Texas Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that Sutton County in West Texas won the $20,000 first-place prize in the Hog Out Challenge. The contest ran from October through December.
Five other counties will share the remainder of the $60,000 in awards.
The results were based on a formula that considers the number of animals killed and participation by ranchers and others in educational programs.
Since the challenge began in 2010, 23,684 hogs have been killed.
An estimated 2.6 million hogs cause $550 million in damage annually in Texas.
The Locust Grove Volunteer Fire Department along with local residents and ranchers are working to help those who have lost it all in Oklahoma.
The Locust Grove Volunteer Fire Department along with local residents and ranchers are working to help those who have lost it all in Oklahoma.
As wildfire season continues to blaze on, one area city is taking steps to reduce the potential threat of blazes.
As wildfire season continues to blaze on, one area city is taking steps to reduce the potential threat of blazes.
For only the second time in 6 months rain is expected to fall in the Panhandle, helping to decrease the critical fire danger.
For only the second time in 6 months rain is expected to fall in the Panhandle, helping to decrease the critical fire danger.
Inside a church in Barrio, two pastors are hard at work with a vision for change.
Inside a church in Barrio, two pastors are hard at work with a vision for change.
The Portales Police Department and Major Crime Unit are currently investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday, April 19.
The Portales Police Department and Major Crime Unit are currently investigating a homicide that occurred Thursday, April 19.