Commissioner Staples Announces $609,500 Federal Award to Help Create Jobs in Palo Pinto County
AUSTIN - Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture has awarded $609,500 in federal funds to Palo Pinto County for real estate expansion.  More

Commissioner Staples Calls On Chefs To Go Local, GO TEXAN During 2011 GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up
AUSTIN - Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples and the Texas Department of Agriculture are asking chefs and restaurant owners who buy and serve local ingredients to bring Texas to the table during the fourth annual GO TEXAN Restaurant Round-Up, presented by Farm Credit.  More

Commissioner Staples, Retired Generals Release Military Perspective On Spillover Border Violence, How To Secure Texas Border
AUSTIN - In an effort to protect U.S. citizens from spillover cartel violence while continuing to emphasize the critical need for enhanced Texas/Mexico border security, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today released 'Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment.' The independent study, co-authored by retired General Barry McCaffrey and retired Major-General Robert Scales, was unveiled as part of the Protect Your Texas Border Summit at the Capitol.  More

Cotton Stalk Destruction Deadline Approaches For Zone 2, Area 4
AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Agriculture today reminds farmers the cotton stalk destruction deadline for fields in Zone 2, Area 4 is Oct. 1.The producer-selected deadline applies to cotton fields in Aransas County north of Copano Bay (including, but not limited to, Lamar and Blackjack peninsulas); Calhoun, Goliad, LaSalle, McMullen, Refugio and Victoria counties; and north and west of U.S. Highway 59 in Bee and Live Oak counties.If a destruction deadline extension is needed, a request form must be e-mailed to Cotton@TexasAgriculture.gov. Extension requests also may be faxed to (888) 215-5208 or mailed to Cotton Program, Texas Department of Agriculture, P.O. Box 12847, Austin, TX 78711.  More

Cotton Stalk Destruction Deadline Approaches For Zone 3, Area 2
Boll weevil eradication efforts help ensure Texas remains No.  More

Cotton Stalk Destruction Deadline Approaches For Zone 4
AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Agriculture reminds farmers the cotton stalk destruction deadline for fields in Zone 4 is Oct. 10.  More

Cotton Stalk Destruction Deadline Approaches For Zone 7, Area 2
AUSTIN - The Texas Department of Agriculture reminds farmers the cotton stalk destruction deadline for fields in Zone 7, Area 2 is Oct. 31.  More

Texas Department Of Agriculture's Food And Fiber Pavilion At State Fair Of Texas Is Fun-Filled For The Whole Family
DALLAS - Live music, storytelling, Texas products and other exciting attractions highlight the second week's calendar at the Texas Department of Agriculture's Food and Fiber Pavilion at the State Fair of Texas through Oct. 23.  More

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples Testifies Before Congress On Danger Along Us/Mexico Border
WASHINGTON D.C. - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today testified before the Homeland Security Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, and also presented to Congress, "Texas Border Security: A Strategic Military Assessment." The assessment chronicles the impacts of Mexican drug cartels and transnational criminal organizations on Texas and its citizens, and offers solutions to addressing their increasingly violent tactics.  More

Commissioner Staples Challenges All Texas Counties To Tackle Costly Feral Hog Problem Responsible For Millions In Damages
BEAUMONT - With an estimated 2.6 million feral hogs causing millions of dollars in urban and rural property damage across the Lone Star State each year, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today kicked off the annual statewide Hog Out Challenge.  More