Protecting Our Home and Land

Government’s No. 1 priority is to protect its citizens. However, Washington is failing to enforce policies that would secure our border in Texas. Recently, the El Paso Times published an opinion I wrote over the failure of our U.S. Homeland Security Secretary to understand the gravity of the situation in South Texas, where drug cartels are terrorizing our families. I hope you take time to read the article and join me in encouraging the current administration in Washington to fulfill its duties to all Americans by securing our borders.

Get the Hog Outta Texas

In Texas, more than 2 million feral hogs cause an estimated $400 million in damages each year. This problem extends beyond rural areas and into urban locations where damage is being done to yards, parks, automobiles and other property. The problem is so widespread, in fact, that I declared October 2010 “Hog Out Month” and challenged 254 Texas counties to “Get the Hog Outta Texas!” through various eradication initiatives.

More recently, the Dallas area stepped up its hog eradication efforts as the cities of Irving, Fort Worth and Arlington have had enough of the hogs gone wild in their neighborhoods. Residents and animal control teams have invested a lot of hard work to try and remedy the situation, but the hogs reproduce at staggering rates. Fortunately, we have people striving for better answers.

Texas Wildlife Services State Director Mike Bodenchuk has probably sat through more meetings on how to battle feral hogs than anyone in Texas. He has partnered with the Texas Department of Agriculture over the last several years and is certainly Texas’ resident expert on this issue.

A report from Dallas news station WFAA details how much closer we are to a workable solution that may one day transfer control from the hoof of the hog back to the hands of the people. To view the video, go here.

Crucial Eminent Domain Reform Passes Senate Committee

After testifying today to the Senate State Affairs Committee on behalf of private property owners in Texas, I’m happy to hear the committee passed SB 18, by Senator Craig Estes.

Private property owners’ rights are fundamental to our free market system, and protection of those rights is vital to the continued economic vitality of the Lone Star State. Growth is welcome in Texas, but it is imperative that we correct the gross injustice that is currently allowing homeowners and landowners to be taken advantage of during eminent domain negotiations.

SB 18 builds on other legislation such as Proposition 11, which created a constitutional limit on governments’ ability to take private property for non-public uses, and was approved by 81 percent of Texas voters in 2009. SB 18 requires fair compensation and establishes a buy-back provision for land that is taken, but then not used by the acquirer.

I want to thank Senator Estes, as well as Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, for their leadership in this area.

Remember: You don’t mess with Texans and SB 18 reassures you don’t mess with Texans’ land!

You can read my full testimony here.

Egyptian Unrest Creates Concerns For All

As violent protests escalate among Egyptian citizens, we are reminded just how much our agricultural markets here in Texas are affected by such events taking place far from our borders.

Egypt is the second largest export destination for Texas wheat and an important market for U.S. agricultural products valued at nearly $1.5 billon in 2009. Egypt is also an important transportation hub for the world’s oil supply with 2.1 million barrels per day passing through its canal and pipelines. That’s the equivalent of about 11 percent of the U.S. daily oil consumption. With Egypt’s Suez Canal being a critical passageway for items that both our countries use on a daily basis, the possibility of a disruption stands to increase the cost of consumer goods, such as fuel for U.S. consumers, and wheat that we produce and sell to other countries.

Times like these remind us how dependent we are on the global free market principles that enable us to continue efficient movement of those commodities we need and rely on daily. Egypt may be half a world away, but its well-being hits home in many critical ways. And very importantly, the basic profitability of most of our farmers and ranchers is dependent upon access to stable foreign markets for their products. Let's hope this transition is a smooth one.

Protecting Our Ports Safeguards Our Food

Food safety generates big headlines and news reports, and consumers have rightfully gained a heightened sense of awareness regarding contamination and foodborne illnesses. While it’s understandable these stories cause concern, we must remember the reason they’re brought to light is because our country has rigid safeguards in place to intercept contamination and other problems before they become widespread public health concerns. Frankly, I’d be more concerned if these stories didn’t make the news.

When we discuss food safety, it’s important to remember the diligent work being done by both federal and state inspectors at our country’s ports of entry. These dedicated public servants protect consumers, taxpayers and our vital agriculture industry every day by detecting and deterring pests and diseases that threaten our domestic food supply. They also make it possible for Texas and the United States to play on the world stage by competing for export markets and the jobs they create.

This short story from UPI.com details how "one of the world's most destructive pests" was detected and quarantined before it could enter the United States through Galveston. News stories like this remind us that when food sources are jeopardized through human or natural contamination, our consumers and economic competitiveness are the ultimate victims. They also serve as reminders that America enjoys the world’s safest, most affordable and most abundant food supply in the world. I commend the United States’ port inspectors for their commitment to protecting our nation.

King Cotton Shares the Wealth

Cotton has always been king in Texas, but the industry reached a crowning new achievement in January as growers earned record-high prices for their crops.

Thanks to a combination of hard work, favorable weather and growing global demand, U.S. cotton growers have enjoyed record-high prices since November, and in late-January prices, the March 2011 futures contract closed at nearly $1.70 per pound! This milestone marks a 140-year high and comes as welcome news to Texas farmers and the Lone Star economy.

Fortunately, consumers also have reason to cheer. Despite a strengthened demand for quality Texas cotton, retail prices on jeans, T-shirts and other goods are projected to remain steady. Why? The reality is cotton farmers only receive a small slice of the value of the finished product, which ultimately is priced to cover the costs of such other variables as advertising and shipping. It takes about one-and-a-half pounds of cotton to make a pair of jeans and at the current prices paid to farmers, there is only about $1.30 worth of cotton in that pair of jeans.

This double dose of good news for cotton and consumers is a win-win for all of Texas.

Health Care Ruling

I am pleased that federal Judge Roger Vinson ruled President Obama’s health care reform act to be unconstitutional. The judge correctly ruled that no government – regardless of good intentions – can force individuals to buy a product or participate in a service against their will.
 
This legislation, passed in the dark of night and strongly opposed by a majority of Americans, is a job killer for our economy. I strongly urge the president and Congress to work together to pass real health care reform that relies on the proven principles of the free market and puts patients, not bureaucrats, in the driver's seat. 
 

Awards Add Shine to Texas Pride

I am always proud of the work our team does here at the Texas Department of Agriculture and apparently I’m not alone. The Texas Association of Fairs and Events recently awarded 11 Ray Cammack Shows Awards of Excellence for Marketing and Communications to TDA’s 2010 State Fair of Texas Food and Fiber Pavilion.

Each year, the Food and Fiber Pavilion, presented by Borden, educates countless Texans about agriculture while supporting dozens of Lone Star businesses and highlighting Texas pride. Congratulations to the TDA team that makes this award-winning effort possible.

Following are the awards:

1st place – Best Agricultural Education Program
1st place – Best Promotional Advertising — Outdoor
1st place – Best Radio Promotion — Ad Spot or PSA
1st place – Best Specialty Video
1st place – Best Promotional Poster
1st place – Best Program/Brochure/Flyer — Four or more colors
1st place – Best Miscellaneous Printed Materials
1st place – Best Other Merchandise
1st place – Best Environmental/Green Program
2nd place – Best New Media Platform
2nd place – Best Newsletter

Future of Texas Depends on Careful Consideration

I recently had the pleasure of visiting with the Texas Farm Bureau to talk about the years ahead and some of the critical issues and challenges facing the Department of Agriculture and the state of Texas.

Among the topics we covered, the availability of water is the single greatest issue facing agriculture. We need to see groundwater used effectively while also safeguarding the rights of landowners. A debate that balances the rights of property owners is critical to the future investment in our state.

Likewise, eminent domain is another issue that requires careful consideration. Owning property and passing it on to our children is a rich part of our Texas heritage. Reliable roadways, hospitals and other infrastructure are certainly necessary to our future prosperity, and it is equally imperative that landowners be justly compensated for relinquishing their property on behalf of the public good.

On the issue of redistricting, I strongly encourage our public officials to come together in order to create public policy that keeps both urban and rural Texas moving forward. Only tending to your own backyard does not create a better community. Each of us has a responsibility to be a good neighbor.

Again, my thanks to the Texas Farm Bureau for inviting me to discuss these issues and I look forward to our partnership growing as we work together to help all Texans.
You can view our full discussion here:

Mike Rowe Paints a Real Picture of American Agriculture

Not too long ago, Mike Rowe, the Dirty Jobs guy on TV, spoke at the National FFA convention and opened a lot of eyes around the country. He used this opportunity to remind the world that, “Technical advances in modern agriculture now rival those in Silicon Valley, and today’s farms are more efficient than ever, but no one seems to have gotten the memo. No one seems to care.” I encourage you to read his entire opinion on this subject on his website.

This description of American agriculture is certainly not news to those of us engaged in or who work with others in the industry. But for the remaining 98 percent of Americans who are not involved in production agriculture, I’m certain Rowe’s statement probably leaves them scratching their heads.

This week, Rowe spoke at the American Farm Bureau annual convention in Georgia and gave a great recap of how federal agencies and private groups have piped up with the wrong impression after agricultural operations were shown on his show, Dirty Jobs. In this article from CattleNetwork.com, Rowe reminds us that those who make a living from the land are the best advocates for good policies.

As we move ahead, our challenge is to make sure the true voices of agriculture are not drowned out by the loud screams of extremists. We must ensure the rest of America understands that farmers and ranchers were going green long before the green movement was cool.

A special thanks to Mike Rowe for helping us unveil the authentic canvas of American agriculture.