STAR Fund Deadline Extended to Help Ranchers Rebuild Fences

With approximately 6,200 miles of ranch fences lost to this year’s historic wildfires, the Texas Department of Agriculture is extending the deadline for Round 2 of STAR Fund relief assistance until Nov. 30.

Created solely with monetary donations from private individuals and companies, including a $35,000 donation from Farm Credit, the STAR Fund helps ranchers rebuild fences through an effort called “Operation New Fences.”

STAR Fund applications may be downloaded here. Applications will also be available at local AgriLife Extension offices in counties that are eligible for federal ECP funding. All applications must be mailed to TDA and postmarked by Nov. 30, 2011.

To make a donation to the STAR Fund, or for more information,visit www.Texasagriculture.gov/STARFund. Ranchers needing more information may also call (512) 475 -1615.

East Texas Timber Losses Add to Wildfire Toll

Texas is fortunate to have wide-open prairies and tall wooded forests, but unfortunately both have suffered tremendous losses in the wake of the drought and wildfires. According to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, agricultural losses associated with the drought were estimated at more than $5 billion a few weeks ago.

More recently, the Texas Forest Service estimated $97 million worth of timber has been lost in the ongoing East Texas wildfires.

When you factor in additional economic losses resulting from irretrievable harvesting and homebuilding efforts,that number gets much bigger. In fact, according to the National Association of Homebuilders, the timber lost is comparable to enough lumber to frame nearly 147,000 homes measuring 2,400 square feet.

Texas has been deeply scarred by this devastating round of drought and wildfires, but we cannot surrender in defeat. Please continue to pray for rain and support our farmers, ranchers and other citizens who must not go it alone on the road to recovery. Rebuilding their livelihoods benefits us all.

Meanwhile, be sure to thank our courageous firefighters who are battling on the frontlines to mitigate the losses. Their efforts are truly heroic.

Let’s Get the Hogs Outta Texas!

Bigger is not always better in Texas, which is why I traveled to Beaumont today to issue the Hog Out Challenge to all Texans.

Here in the Lone Star State, our feral hog population numbers 2.6 million and causes more than $500 million in damages annually. Those are big numbers that add up to a big problem.

To curb this problem, I’ve declared that October is Hog Out Month in Texas. Every day is a good day to do your part in eliminating these pests from Texas’ urban and rural yards, highways, golf courses, farms and ranches. But the only way to win this war on feral hogs is for all Texans to join in a coordinated and concentrated effort. Hog Out Month provides this opportunity.

Additionally, Hog Out Month marks the kickoff of the Texas Department of Agriculture’s second annual Hog Out Challenge, which runs through Dec. 31 and awards grants to the five Texas counties with the most hogs removed and the highest participation in feral hog abatement programs.

More than a costly nuisance to agricultural operations and wildlife habitats, feral hogs increasingly are finding their way into urban areas and destroying yards, public parks and golf courses. They also pose a health threat to humans as they can carry disease and cause serious automobile accidents. Making matters worse, these hogs are capable of breeding twice a year.

Counties may obtain a notice of intent to participate in the Hog Out Challenge by clicking here, calling (512) 463-6695 or emailing Grants@TexasAgriculture.gov. More details about the challenge can be found by clicking here. Deadline to submit intent to participate is Sept. 30.

If you’re a landowner or homeowner who wants to learn more about eliminating feral hogs from Texas, contact your local Texas Agrilife Extension Service office. Let’s tackle Texas’ big feral hog problem. Let’s get the hogs outta Texas!

Drought Losses Set Staggering Record of $5.2 Billion

As we feared, the worst single-year drought in Texas history has devastated our agriculture community to the staggering tune of $5.2 billion in losses, according to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

These losses exceed the previous record of $4.1 billion incurred during the drought of 2006 and can be attributed to the punishing combination of drought and record-setting temperatures that have caused hay shortages, dwindling herds and lost or severely damaged crops. The end result has been a dry spell that recently surpassed the one of 1918, making our current crisis the second-worst drought in the history of the Lone Star State.

These have been extraordinarily tough times for our farmers and ranchers, but you know what happens when the going gets tough — survivors always outlast adversity. While we are seeing the weathering on the faces and in the hearts of Texas farmers and ranchers, I’m confident the folks who provide us with safest, most affordable and most abundant food supply in the world will refuse to wilt beneath the brutal heat.

I continue to pray for rain in order to provide relief for our farmers and ranchers. May they continue to fight the good fight on behalf of all Texans who rely on their hard work every day.

Drought on the Heels of Wildfires Adds to Texas Losses

While Texas wildfires have made for gloomy headlines this year, they tell only part of the grim story facing our state. With 2.6 million acres impacted by fires since November, we now also are looking at the dire possibility of record-breaking, single-year losses due to drought. According to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service report highlighted in this AP story, agricultural losses in Texas this year already total $1.5 billion. As the story mentions, if dry conditions persist into summer, we could surpass the 2006 record of $4.1 billion in losses. To read the full story, click here.

Texans Need Your Help after Hurricane Ike Strands Livestock

Photo Courtesy: Smiley N. Pool, AFP/Getty Images.
Click photo for a photo gallery of more Hurricane Ike damage on USAToday.com

The Texas Department of Agriculture is teaming with local, state and federal partners as well as statewide agricultural organizations to meet the needs of thousands of agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Ike.

I extend this urgent plea to Texans across the state to assist in any way they can to help farmers and ranchers hit hard by the deadly storm. Producers in Southeast Texas are in desperate need of our help to save their livestock. Storm surges from Hurricane Ike have destroyed fences and made forage and water sources harmful to livestock.

We are working with federal and state officials to save the remaining livestock, but also need assistance from fellow Texans to ensure the effects of this catastrophe don’t become worse. State agencies are still trying to assess the financial impact Hurricane Ike has caused Texas agricultural producers; however, at this time, tens of thousands of livestock are without food and are at risk of dying if not fed.

For producers needing aid, it is essential they contact their local emergency management officials who are in direct communication with the state emergency disaster management team and will be able to allocate the proper resources. If your livestock-related needs are not met, you can contact staff at the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242 ext. 296.

I ask producers who are signed up through the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Hay Hotline to sell or donate animal feed, hay or other resources such as feed and water troughs. Producers in need of these resources are encouraged to call the hotline at 1-800-Tell-TDA or visit our Hay Hotline for more information.

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service is also setting up horse and cattle feed donation and distribution sites. Contact your local extension agent for more information. If you would like to offer financial resources to the animal relief effort, AgriLife Extension Service has set up a foundation on their Web site, or call 979-845-2604.

To see the impact of Hurricane Ike on Texas livestock, watch this video on CNN.com of loose cattle in Baytown.