Commissioner Miller Shuts Down State And Federal Fever Tick Spray Operations Citing Livestock Deaths And Rancher Complaints
(AUSTIN) Today, in a personal inspection visit to a ranch in South Texas, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller shut down a Cattle Fever Tick spray box operation and ordered the remaining 15 spray boxes also shut down. These spray boxes apply a high-powered insecticide called Co-Ral, at seven times the recommended agriculture rate, to combat ticks that may infect livestock with deadly Texas cattle fever. Commissioner Miller cited lack of ventilation in the confined spray box which violates federally-approved label requirements for the insecticide. Miller also noted that licensed applicators were not present at the inspection, as required by state and federal law.  [More]

Texas Department of Agriculture Announces New Hay Hotline Website
(AUSTIN) Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller unveiled a new and improved hay hotline designed to serve as a comprehensive clearinghouse for farmers and ranchers in need of hay for their livestock. The Texas Department of Agriculture Hay Hotline provides an online marketplace for hay buyers and sellers, and can even help locate grazing land for lease.  [More]

Texas Department of Agriculture to hold produce safety meetings statewide
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) today announced it will hold a series of community meetings across the state to collect input on implementing the new federal law to promote the safety of fruits and vegetables grown across the country. The meetings will serve as a forum to gather public input as TDA develops the rules to administer this comprehensive new federal mandate.  [More]

Commissioner Miller Calls for Action on Temporary Federal Worker Program
In a letter addressed to federal officials, Commissioner Miller today asked for an opening of the program that affects the availability of temporary workers like those needed by the Texas shrimp and other agriculture industries.  [More]

Commissioner Miller Seeks Applicants for Annual Family Land Heritage Program
Commissioner Miller is proud to invite Texas farmers and ranchers to apply for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Family Land Heritage (FLH) program, which pays tribute to families who have kept their land in continuous agricultural production for at least 100 years.  [More]