Listen Live
Donate
 on air
    Schedule

    KCRW

    Read & Explore

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Food
    • Culture
    • Events

    Listen

    • Live Radio
    • Music
    • Podcasts
    • Full Schedule

    Information

    • About
    • Careers
    • Help / FAQ
    • Newsletters
    • Contact

    Support

    • Become a Member
    • Become a VIP
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop
    • Member Perks

    Become a Member

    Donate to KCRW to support this cultural hub for music discovery, in-depth journalism, community storytelling, and free events. You'll become a KCRW Member and get a year of exclusive benefits.

    DonateGive Monthly

    Copyright 2026 KCRW. All rights reserved.

    Report a Bug|Privacy Policy|Terms of Service|
    Cookie Policy
    |FCC Public Files|

    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Press Play with Madeleine Brand

    Tens of thousands of cows are starving to death in drought-stricken Mexican state of Sonora

    The Mexican state of Sonora is proud of its cattle ranching culture. It’s famous for its carne asada. Its state flag is emblazoned with a bull. A decade ago, 80% of Sonoran land was used for livestock like cattle.

    • rss
    • apple-podcasts
    • spotify
    • Share
    KCRW placeholderBy Marisa Lagos • Aug 5, 2021 • 9m Listen

    The Mexican state of Sonora is proud of its cattle ranching culture. It’s famous for its carne asada. Its state flag is emblazoned with a bull. A decade ago, 80% of Sonoran land was used for livestock like cattle. Today, Sonora is in a drought and facing a hotter, drier future. Cows are going hungry — tens of thousands are starving to death. Farmers are selling herds, and a way of life that stretches back generations is fading.

    The full episode

    2 of 4
    CA recall election intensifies as more than 40 candidates vie for Newsom’s job
    1. 0:00Is CA governor in trouble? Republicans focus their attacks on Newsom during recall election debate
    2. 16:35Tens of thousands of cows are starving to death in drought-stricken Mexican state of SonoraYou’re reading this
    3. 26:21RuPaul’s Drag Race to politics: Honey Mahogany is instilling progressive values in San Francisco
    4. 38:43Rihanna is now the richest woman in music, thanks to her Fenty lines that prioritize inclusivity
    • KCRW placeholder

      Marisa Lagos

      KQED political correspondent

    • KCRW placeholder

      Sarah Sweeney

      Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW

    • KCRW placeholder

      Angie Perrin

      Producer, Press Play

    • KCRW placeholder

      Michell Eloy

      Former Producer/Line Editor, Press Play

    • KCRW placeholder

      Kate Linthicum

      foreign correspondent for the LA Times

      NewsEnvironmentClimate changeInternational

    The full episode

    2 of 4
    CA recall election intensifies as more than 40 candidates vie for Newsom’s job
    1. 0:00Is CA governor in trouble? Republicans focus their attacks on Newsom during recall election debate
    2. 16:35Tens of thousands of cows are starving to death in drought-stricken Mexican state of SonoraYou’re reading this
    3. 26:21RuPaul’s Drag Race to politics: Honey Mahogany is instilling progressive values in San Francisco
    4. 38:43Rihanna is now the richest woman in music, thanks to her Fenty lines that prioritize inclusivity
    Back to Press Play with Madeleine Brand