*More money is needed to strengthen Farm Bill safety net programs.  *Vehicle manufacturers are leaving AM radios out of new model cars and trucks.  *Texas cattle feeders are concerned about the Albertsons-Kroger grocery chain merger.  *An explosion at a Texas panhandle dairy Monday evening remains under investigation.  *The year is winding down for the Texas FFA State Officer team.  *Extreme South Texas had its first good rain of 2023.  *Bloat can be a problem in grazing calves this time of year.  *There are 70 to 80 species of snakes in Texas.