Commissioner Miller Urges State And Federal Agencies To Meet To Address Cattle Pesticide Spray Boxes
Today, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on federal and state agencies to meet as soon as possible to address rancher’s complaints about pesticide spray boxes in South Texas used to combat Cattle Fever Ticks. Ranchers complained to Miller that the spray boxes designed to protect their cattle were instead killing them, prompting Miller to personally inspect the devices Monday.  [More]

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]

Commissioner Miller Kicks Off School Breakfast Week
Commissioner Miller today announced the start of School Breakfast Week, which runs March 5 through 9, and makes eating breakfast at school a special occasion for Texas students. Every school day, approximately 1.7 million young Texans enjoy breakfast through the School Breakfast Program.  [More]

Commissioner Miller Honors Student Art Contest Winners and Announces Start of 2018-2019 Competition
Commissioner Miller congratulated Amy Hinojosa of Laredo and Gigi Cheng of Port Lavaca as winners in the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) 2017-2018 You Art What You Eat! student art contest. Their artwork will be incorporated into posters and materials displayed at schools across Texas to celebrate School Breakfast Week, which takes place March 5 through 9, 2018.  [More]

Fact Sheet: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Rules
These comments are intended to provide very  [More]

Commissioner Miller Encourages Organizations to Apply for 2018 Summer Nutrition Programs
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is accepting applications for its 2018 summer nutrition programs. These programs connect community organizations and schools with federal funds to provide healthy meals for the Texas children who may not always have access to good nutrition when school cafeterias are closed for summer.  [More]