LUBBOCK, Texas -- After years of struggling with varying cotton yields and low market prices, West Texas farmer Brady Askew made a big change this season by planting corn for the first time on his irrigated acres.

Askew, a fifth generation farmer, runs Askew Farms LLC with his wife and kids. While cotton has long been king in the region, he says the switch to the new crop was necessary.

“We’re in cotton country, but our hand was kind of forced,” Askew said. “You’ve got to diversify, you can’t keep all your eggs in one basket.”

The corn, planted in April, is looking strong despite hail and storm damage in nearby fields. It’s field corn, intended for cattle feed, and Askew hopes it will help offset losses from recent cotton seasons. He continues to focus on sustainability, using no-till p

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