News
South Texas rancher stays vigilant after finding first U. S. screwworm case
1+ week, 18+ hour ago (585+ words) By Shelby Shank Field Editor A routine check on a cattle herd in South Texas led to the confirmation of the first case of New World screwworm in Texas in 60 years. The case was identified at Rock Creek Ranch in…...
Planted rice acres fall in Texas as rice delphacid risk persists
1+ week, 2+ day ago (273+ words) By Shelby Shank Field Editor Texas rice acreage continues to decline as farmers face low commodity prices, pest pressures, water issues and global competition. The U. S. Department of Agriculture estimates 125, 000 acres of rice were planted in Texas this year, but Texas…...
Farm From School fall 2026 registration open to K-12 classrooms
1+ week, 3+ day ago (302+ words) This fall, Texas classrooms from kindergarten through 12th grade can once again connect with farms and ranches through Texas Farm Bureau's Farm From School program. The program gives students a front-row seat to Texas agriculture through live, virtual visits with local…...
TFB's Ag Ventures Challenge finalists visit Washington, D. C. - Texas Farm Bureau
1+ week, 3+ day ago (589+ words) By Shelby Shank Field Editor Finalists of Texas Farm Bureau's (TFB) Ag Ventures Challenge: Pitch It, Market It, Sell It state contest recently traveled to Washington, D. C. to meet with elected officials on Capitol Hill and tour historical sites. The students…...
Rollins visits South Texas to review New World screwworm response
2+ week, 17+ hour ago (396+ words) By Julie Tomascik Editor Federal and state animal health officials are intensifying efforts to contain and eradicate New World screwworm as additional cases are confirmed in South Texas and response operations expand across the region. Eight cases have now been…...
Warm, wet conditions fuel pest concerns across Texas
2+ week, 1+ day ago (387+ words) By Shelby Shank Field Editor A warm, wet spring has helped crops and pastures grow across Texas, but it has also created ideal conditions for several damaging pests. The biggest concern is the pasture mealybug, an invasive pest that has…...
Bellinger named senior advisor for NWS preparedness
2+ week, 3+ day ago (284+ words) The Trump administration appointed John Bellinger as the new senior advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness. In this role, Bellinger will integrate into USDA's team to help further drive its robust effort to explore all available technologies to combat the…...
Sterile fly dispersal drives effort to stop NWS spread
2+ week, 3+ day ago (933+ words) By Shelby Shank Field Editor The sterile fly program was underway before New World screwworm was confirmed in Texas, positioning federal and state officials to respond quickly when the first case was identified. The U. S. Department of Agriculture began ground dispersal…...
Abbott expands disaster declaration for New World screwworm
2+ week, 4+ day ago (507+ words) By Julie Tomascik Editor Gov. Greg Abbott expanded Texas" New World screwworm disaster declaration June 5 in response to the pest"s arrival in Texas and authorized the use of "all available resources of state government" to respond to the disaster....
New World screwworm confirmed in three-week old calf in Texas - Texas Farm Bureau
3+ week, 1+ day ago (504+ words) By Julie Tomascik Editor New World screwworm (NWS) has been confirmed in Texas for the first time in decades. State and federal animal health officials announced June 3 that the parasitic pest was detected in a three-week-old calf near La Pryor…...