Latest news with #SidMiller
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New World Screwworm Threatens Texas Agriculture
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is calling for quick intervention to fight the growing threat of the New World screwworm. This flesh-eating bug has cattle ranchers and agricultural leaders across the state on edge. In a statement published last week, Miller celebrated the Department of Agriculture's recent $21 million investment to expand sterile fly production in Metapa, Mexico—a big step in the fight against the screwworm flies that devastated livestock throughout the country in the 1960s. 'The New World Screwworm cannot be eliminated with half-hearted efforts,' Miller said. 'Actual eradication requires the strategic release of millions of sterile flies. I was skeptical of the Biden Administration's approach, but this collaborative effort led by Secretary Brooke Rollins at the United States Department of Agriculture, coupled with strong leadership from Texas Congressional members, will expand North American sterile fly production, marking a crucial step forward.' Miller's support follows recent reports from southern Mexico that screwworm infestations are creeping north, raising alarms for ranchers in the Lone Star State. According to a study by the World Organization for Animal Health, the parasite's larvae are known to burrow into the wounds of living mammals, including livestock, pets, and even humans, causing extensive tissue damage and potentially death. Miller said the USDA's new investment showcases international cooperation in the battle against the pest. 'This reinforces our defenses and strengthens our international partnership. Secretary Rollins recognizes the seriousness of this threat and is utilizing appropriate tools with necessary urgency to protect American agriculture,' Miller added. Miller also endorsed the STOP Screwworms Act, which was recently introduced by Rep. Tony Gonzales and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. The legislation would create a domestic 'sterile fly production facility' in Texas to boost the USDA's efforts and secure a steady supply of sterile flies for quick 'deployment' across the state. Apparently, as experts previously noted, sterile flies are one of the best solutions to fight the northern migration of the New World screwworm. Meanwhile, Texas A&M University is ramping up its own efforts to protect the cattle industry from the looming screwworm threat. Last week, the university announced a $5 million donation from the Rosenthal family to support a new Meat Science and Technology Center at its campus in Bryan, Texas. State officials, outside of Miller's efforts, continue to urge ranchers to remain vigilant for signs of the parasite and to report any cases immediately to the Texas Animal Health Commission or the USDA. Experts warn that the 'reintroduction 'of the New World screwworm could have devastating economic impacts in certain areas, not just for ranchers but also for consumers already facing high beef and overall grocery prices. As The Dallas Express previously reported, Americans are still reeling from the pressures of skyrocketing grocery prices, which the Biden Administration unleashed before he left office.
New York Times
31-03-2025
- General
- New York Times
3 States Issue Warnings About Unsolicited Packages of Seeds
People in Alabama, Texas and New Mexico have reported receiving seeds in packages apparently sent from China, prompting officials in those states to warn residents not to plant them because the seeds could sprout into invasive plants. Unsolicited seed packets also arrived in mailboxes in many states in 2020, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture received thousands of reports of Americans receiving seeds in packages with Chinese characters. Federal investigators said the evidence indicated the packages sent in 2020 were part of a 'brushing scam' in which sellers mail inexpensive items to unsuspecting recipients and then post bogus customer reviews to boost online ratings and sales. There was no evidence the seeds were intended to harm American agriculture, officials said at the time. In recent months, seed packages have arrived in Alabama, Texas and New Mexico, according to officials in those states. The Texas Department of Agriculture said this month that it had collected 311 unsolicited seed packages from 64 locations, including the first instance of a live plant being mailed unsolicited to a Texas resident. The packages appeared to have come from China, based on their postmarks and Chinese characters on the packaging, according to Sid Miller, the Texas agriculture commissioner. They contained seeds for vegetables, weeds, grasses and at least one invasive aquatic plant, he said. While it was unclear whether the seeds were part of another brushing scam, the circumstances appeared to be similar to 2020, the Texas Agriculture Department said in a statement. Residents who receive unsolicited seeds should keep them sealed in their original packaging and contact agricultural officials, Mr. Miller said. 'We must stay vigilant and not assume that every package contains harmless plant material,' Mr. Miller said in a statement. 'Although many of these seeds are not listed as noxious plants by the federal government, they still pose a significant national biosecurity threat that should not be overlooked.' The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries has received six reports of unsolicited seeds arriving in the mail, a spokeswoman said on Monday. Some of the packages also appeared to have come from China, including at least one that said 'Made in China' on the pouch that contained the seeds. The seeds were identified as tomato and onion seeds and tested negative for harmful compounds, the department said. 'We urge all residents to be on the lookout for similar packages,' Rick Pate, Alabama's commissioner of agriculture and industries, said in a statement. 'These seeds may be invasive to Alabama plants or be harmful to livestock.' A spokeswoman for the New Mexico Department of Agriculture said it had received one report of a resident receiving a packet of unsolicited seeds. 'These unauthorized seed shipments violate state and federal law and pose serious risks to our agriculture and environment,' Katie Laney, a New Mexico agricultural official, said in a statement. 'Unknown seeds could introduce invasive species or plant diseases that threaten New Mexico's ecosystems and farming communities.' In 2020, federal investigators said that at least 14 of the seed varieties that were mailed to unsuspecting residents had been identified as a 'mix of ornamental fruit and vegetable, herb and weed species.' Among the plant species botanists identified were cabbage, hibiscus, lavender, mint, morning glory, mustard, rose, rosemary and sage, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. 'It was nothing nefarious,' Osama El-Lissy, a former deputy administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, who was involved in tracking the seed packages in 2020, said in an interview on Monday. 'It was more of a business gimmick.' Still, Mr. El-Lissy said, the seeds posed a concern because they could have carried invasive pests — a point other experts also emphasized with the latest round of mysterious seeds. 'It's hard to know the real intent behind the seed packets, but in the past these have been tied to scams,' said David L. Ortega, an expert in agricultural economics and food policy at Michigan State University. People who receive the packages should be cautious but not alarmed, he said. 'The biggest thing is don't plant them — and contact your local or state-level agriculture office and let them be aware,' Dr. Ortega said.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
For the First Time in 80 Years, the U.S. Denies Mexico's Request for Water
For the first time in more than 80 years, the U.S. has denied Mexico's request for water from the Colorado River, escalating tensions over a water-sharing agreement between the two nations. The State Department says it denied the request because Mexico hasn't complied with the 1944 treaty that established the water-sharing system. That agreement requires Mexico to send 1.75 million acre-feet of water from the Rio Grande to the U.S. every five years. In turn, the U.S. must send 1.5 million acre-feet of water to Mexico from the Colorado River each year. By the end of 2024, Mexico had delivered only a quarter of what it owed for the current five-year period, which ends in October. Mexico has been struggling with severe droughts for several years. In the first quarter of 2024, the country's agricultural production fell by 6.1 percent, according to a report from the Bank of Mexico. Activity in the north-central regions, which includes the border states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León, fell by 3.3 percent. The country has sought emergency water deliveries to alleviate the strain on its water systems. The International Boundary and Water Commission and Conagua, Mexico's national water utility, are addressing the request denial, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum told reporters. While this is the first denied request, this is not the first time that the treaty has caused tension in U.S.-Mexican relations. In 2020, Mexican farmers revolted over sending water to the U.S. during an extreme drought. In 2024, late water payments from Mexico to the U.S. caused the Rio Grande Valley Sugar Growers mill in Santa Rosa, Texas, to shut down. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller told Texas Monthly at the time that "asking Mexico nicely for 20 or 25 years" hadn't worked. "We've got to get their attention somehow, with some kind of sanctions. They're gonna have to feel the pain." A bipartisan congressional delegation urged their colleagues to withhold funding to Mexico until water was delivered. The U.S. could be within its legal rights to deny the waiver. If so, this will almost certainly harm agricultural production in Mexico, which is a significant provider of produce to the U.S. Food price hikes are already on the way, thanks to tariffs, and this could end up squeezing American consumers even more. The post For the First Time in 80 Years, the U.S. Denies Mexico's Request for Water appeared first on
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Three dead in South Texas after more than foot of rain falls in Rio Grande Valley
At least three people died in a South Texas county after around 20 inches of rain fell on the Rio Grande Valley, causing what the state agriculture commissioner called catastrophic flooding. The deaths occurred in Hidalgo County, near the U.S.-Mexico border, where County Judge Richard F. Cortez issued a disaster declaration. More details about the deaths were not immediately released, "except that they involved law enforcement efforts," the county said in a statement. "This is a devastating tragedy for our Valley community,' Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said Friday. The rain was also blamed for one death in Mexico. The Mexican state of Tamaulipas reported that an 83-year-old man drowned in Reynosa, which is across the border from McAllen, The Associated Press reported. McAllen is in Hidalgo County. A slow-moving upper-level trough over Mexico brought thunderstorms and rain to parts of South Texas near the border this week, including to Hidalgo County, the National Weather Service said in forecast discussions. That trough was exiting to the east and no more significant rainfall was expected Friday night, but flooding was forecast to continue, the weather service said. Miller said Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties were the hardest hit. He said the sheer volume of rain caused 'severe harm.' 'In addition to extensive damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, the region is also facing significant agricultural and livestock losses,' he said. More than a foot of rain was recorded in parts of Hidalgo County over 48 hours by Friday afternoon, the weather service said in a statement. The city of Harlingen in Cameron County was flooded after more than 21 ½ inches of rain fell, Mayor Norma Sepulveda said. A convention center was opened for displaced residents, and those safe at home were urged to stay there. "This, of course, has been a historic and challenging event for the city, but Harlingen is strong," Sepulveda said at a news conference. "We have faced adversity before and we will get through this together." Cortez said progress was being made on the widespread damage in Hidalgo County. 'Emergency Management efforts, in tandem with local precincts, are making strides one day following a storm that moved slowly across the region and resulted in much more rain than expected,' he said. Jionni Ochoa's home in Palm Valley, a town of around 1,400 near Harlingen, was among those that flooded. 'The bed is the only thing dry right now, because the sofas are soaked. Everything is soaked,' Ochoa, 46, told The Associated Press. This article was originally published on
Associated Press
22-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
National Child Nutrition Conference 2025: Inspiring Leaders, Transformative Insights
ROUND ROCK, TX, UNITED STATES, March 22, 2025 / / -- The 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference (NCNC25) is set to be an inspiring and impactful event, bringing together professionals dedicated to child nutrition and community advocacy. This year's General Session will feature an exceptional lineup of speakers, led by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, keynote speaker Mike Brown, Jr. and remarks from NCA leadership and USDA. Conference Host: Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller will give a hearty welcome to Texas for attendees from across the country. A dedicated advocate for Texas agriculture, child nutrition and rural communities, Commissioner Miller has spent his career promoting farm-to-school initiatives, food security and infrastructure development to support families across Texas. As an eighth-generation farmer and rancher, he has led the Texas Department of Agriculture's Farm Fresh Fridays initiative, increasing the amount of locally sourced products in schools by $14 million. His passion for ensuring healthy meals for children, strong rural economies and consumer protections has made him a key voice in the child nutrition community. Keynote Speaker: Mike Brown, Jr. Mike Brown, Jr., MS, CFRE, President and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth, will take the stage as this year's keynote speaker. Mike's story is one of resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of community. His deep commitment to mentorship, youth development, and advocacy stems from his own life experiences, overcoming personal hardships to become a national leader in community empowerment. With over 30 years in the YMCA movement, Mike has led initiatives that provide essential resources to youth and families, ensuring they have the support they need to thrive. Remarks from NCA Leadership and USDA Attendees will also hear from NCA leadership and USDA, including: Lisa Mack, President & CEO of the National CACFP Association Denise Andrews, CMP, CCNP, Board Chair of the National CACFP Association Melissa Rothstein, Associate Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Be Part of This Transformative Experience The 2025 National Child Nutrition Conference is more than just a training opportunity—it's a chance to connect, collaborate, and be inspired by leaders who are making a real impact in child nutrition and community advocacy. With five days of dynamic sessions, networking opportunities, and inspiring speakers, this event is an unmissable opportunity to gain new strategies and insights. Join us in Dallas! Register today and be part of a movement dedicated to improving child nutrition and strengthening communities. Since 1986, the National CACFP Association (NCA) has been a leading national organization offering support to thousands within the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) community. Its overarching goal is to ensure nutrition security for families by facilitating access to vital food programs. Blair Munday +1 512-850-8278 Visit us on social media: Legal Disclaimer:
