COMMISSIONER MILLER CONTINUES TO SUPPORT HOCKLEY COUNTY IN FIGHT AGAINST BEETLE INFESTATION
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is actively collaborating alongside city officials to provide support to Hockley County residents. The recent resurgence of the red flour beetle in Levelland—initially reported in August 2023—has become a growing concern. Concerted efforts by TDA and local officials previously achieved significant headway in decreasing the infestation during cooler weather conditions. With warmer temperatures looming, TDA has implemented pest management strategies to halt a reoccurrence of the red flour beetle invasion swiftly and effectively  [More]

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HOSTS BI-ANNUAL QUILT COMPETITION
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are thrilled to announce the unveiling of the 2024 Quilt Block Competition. This year’s theme, “Texas Agriculture Matters,” celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of the Lone Star State.  [More]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER STANDS WITH FARMERS AND RANCHERS DURING DEVASTATING PANHANDLE WILDFIRES
AUSTIN – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced today his commitment to providing unwavering support to agricultural producers as they deal with the aftermath of the devastating wildfires burning in the Texas Panhandle. The Smokehouse Creek Fire, one of five active fires scorching the region, has become the state's second largest in history, having burned over 850,000 acres with minimal containment. Additionally, several grain and seed operations have reported total losses. Commissioner Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) are ready to provide vital assistance to Texans in need through agricultural relief funds, essential hay and feed resources, and feeding programs for affected families.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER KICKS OFF NATIONAL SCHOOL BREAKFAST WEEK CELEBRATIONS
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced schools statewide are gearing up to celebrate National School Breakfast Week from March 4th to 8th under the theme Surf’s Up with School Breakfast. Collaborating closely with the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), school nutrition teams across Texas are set to deliver approximately 1.7 million nutritious breakfasts to students daily through the National School Breakfast Program. Throughout the week-long celebration, schools will celebrate in the Surf’s Up spirit using materials provided by TDA, designed to spotlight the nutritious breakfast options available each morning in the cafeteria.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER ISSUES UPDATE ON HISTORIC PANHANDLE WILDFIRES
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued an update on the Texas Panhandle wildfires, expressing deep concern for the affected communities and the agricultural impact. The Panhandle region is facing significant losses, impacting farmers and ranchers profoundly. The Smokehouse Creek Fire is the largest recorded in Texas, the second largest fire in the nation’s history, and is larger than the top 20 largest wildfires in California over the past 90 years. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) actively supports farmers, ranchers, and residents impacted by the catastrophic wildfires through agricultural relief funds, essential hay and feed resources, the AgriStress Helpline, and feeding programs for affected families.  [More]

STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER MILLER HONORING FRITCH FIRE CHIEF ZEB SMITH AND OUR FRONTLINE HEROES IN THE TEXAS PANHANDLE
"I am deeply saddened by the loss of one of our courageous frontline heroes in the Texas Panhandle. Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith made the ultimate sacrifice while battling to contain the devastation plaguing our community."  [More]

COMMISSIONER SID MILLER ANNOUNCES OVER 800K IN DONATIONS FOR TEXAS PANHANDLE WILDFIRE RELIEF
AUSTIN – Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is pleased to announce that the State of Texas Agriculture Relief (STAR) Fund has received an overwhelming response, with over 1,600 individual donations totaling over $800,000 to support relief efforts for Texas farmers and ranchers devastated by the Panhandle wildfires. These donations will provide critical financial assistance, helping them rebuild and recover from the unprecedented damage.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER CELEBRATES NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK
AUSTIN - Observed from March 17th to March 24th, National Agriculture Week encourages every American to understand and value the essential role that farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals play in feeding, fueling, and clothing our nation. This year, Commissioner Miller challenges you to engage in educational activities that deepen your appreciation for agriculture.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER SAYS MYSTERY DAIRY COW DISEASE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller received confirmation from the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) that a mystery disease currently sickening herds in the Panhandle has been identified as a strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as Bird Flu.  [More]

COMMISSIONER MILLER PROVIDES UPDATE ON HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA DETECTION IN TEXAS AND KANSAS DAIRY HERDS
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller provided an update on the confirmed presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) found in diagnostic samples from dairy operations in Texas and Kansas. “This outbreak has quickly grabbed the attention of the agriculture industry on a national level,” Commissioner Miller said. “Understanding the details surrounding the transfer of avian virus to livestock is the top priority of animal health professionals and agriculture agencies. While troubling, this outbreak is not currently expected to threaten our nation’s commercial dairy supply.”  [More]