Simon Peter Bend Ranch

05/21/2026

04/29/2026

Agriculture

04/29/2026

04/13/2026

New World screwworm has been detected in northern Mexico, just 90 miles from the U.S. border, raising serious concern for U.S. producers.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging ranchers to stay alert, warning the pest has not yet been contained and poses a direct threat to livestock and the food supply.

USDA has recently updated the NWS Response Playbook. See here for guidance: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-releases-updated-new-world-screwworm-response-playbook

Read more: https://www.agdaily.com/news/texas-warns-screwworm-detected-90-miles-from-the-u-s-border/

04/11/2026

🚨 POTUS: "I am watching fertilizer prices CLOSELY during our FIGHT FOR FREEDOM in Iran. The United States will not accept PRICE GOUGING from the fertilizer monopoly! American Farmers, we have your back!"

03/21/2026

02/01/2026

UPDATE: Commissioner Sid Miller Continues to Urge Vigilance Against Pasture Mealybug

Commissioner Sid Miller and the Texas Department of Agriculture continue to urge ranchers, hay producers, and landowners to remain vigilant as the invasive pasture mealybug (Helicococcus summervillei) spreads across Texas pastures. Novel to North America, this destructive pest is already damaging grasses in multiple counties.

The LSU AgCenter has also confirmed ongoing infestations in Louisiana sugarcane fields, highlighting that at least two U.S. states are now contending with this emerging threat.

Pasture mealybugs feed at the soil level, causing yellowing, stunted growth, and dieback in bermudagrass, bahiagrass, Johnsongrass, St. Augustine, bluestem species, and more.

“This is a completely new pest to our continent, and Texas is once again on the front lines," Commissioner Miller said. "We need every producer’s eyes on the ground. If you see something off, report it. TDA is working diligently with our federal and state partners to determine how to best combat this novel threat and stop it in its tracks.”

Counties with confirmed infestations include:
Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Goliad, DeWitt, Lavaca, Fayette, Jackson, Matagorda, Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Burleson, Brazos, and Robertson.

Producers should look for:
• Yellow, purple, or red foliage
• Poor root growth or dieback from leaf tips
• Fuzzy white insects on blades, stems, soil surfaces, or under debris/cow patties

Take action:
• Scout pastures regularly
• Report suspicious infestations to 1‑800‑TELL‑TDA

Note: No pesticide has been confirmed effective yet. Ongoing joint discussion and research collaboration between federal and state agencies aim to discover solutions.

Early detection is critical. The TDA continues to urge producers to monitor their pastures closely to protect Texas grazing lands.

01/31/2026

As New World screwworm moves further north in Mexico, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking decisive and proactive action to shift sterile insect dispersal to better protect U.S. animal and public health. As part of the change, USDA will reallocate aircraft and sterile insects to reinforce coverage along the U.S.- Mexico border. The new dispersal area, or polygon, will include operations about 50 miles into Texas.

Even though the northernmost active case of NWS is still about 200 miles away from the border, USDA is continuing to ask residents in the area to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS and immediately report anything suspicious to your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge.

More: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/usda-shifts-sterile-fly-dispersal-efforts-defend-us-border

01/28/2026