By Julie Tomascik
Editor

New World screwworm, data centers and policy updates were among the topics discussed during Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) Summer Conference.

More than 400 farmers and ranchers were in San Marcos June 22-24 to hear updates on issues shaping the future of Texas agriculture.

“New World screwworm remains one of the most pressing issues facing Texas agriculture, but producers are also watching developments related to water, energy, trade and farm policy,” TFB President Russell Boening said. “Our summer conference provided an opportunity for our members to hear directly from experts on those issues and how they could affect their farms and ranches.”

New World screwworm
Efforts to contain and eradicate New World screwworm were a major focus of the meeting.

Officials from the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provided updates on the current outbreak, livestock movement requirements, surveillance efforts and ongoing work to increase sterile fly production.

They stressed that Texas must continue suppressing the pest while additional sterile fly production capacity comes online. Early detection and reporting remain critical components of that effort.

“It’s essential that we get reports so that we can get sterile flies to you,” Dr. TR Lansford, TAHC deputy executive director and assistant state veterinarian, said. “When we get a case that’s confirmed, USDA is in there in about 24 hours to start releasing sterile flies in that environment to start suppressing that population.”

Lansford encouraged producers to take steps to prevent infestations and closely monitor livestock for wounds that could attract screwworms.

Most Texas cases have involved calf navels, but others have been associated with castration and dehorning wounds, as well as other injuries.

USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins outlined efforts to expand sterile fly production, including upgrades at facilities in Panama and Metapa, Mexico, and construction of a new production facility at Moore Air Base in South Texas.

The agency’s goal is to eventually reach 500 million sterile flies per week, similar to production levels used during the successful eradication campaign in the 1960s.

“This is a community effort,” Lansford said. “The name of the game is mitigation and control until sterile fly production is adequate to complete eradication.”

Data centers
The increased demand for computing power and artificial intelligence is driving data center growth, and much of that growth is happening in rural Texas.

State Rep. Ken King, chair of the House State Affairs Committee, said the expansion is unlike anything Texas has seen in decades.

“Texas hasn’t seen this kind of development since the discovery of oil and gas,” he said.

King joined former U.S. Rep. Bill Flores, chair of ERCOT, and Will McAdams, president of McAdams Energy Group, for a panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges associated with data center development.

The panel addressed concerns related to electricity demand, water use, land conversion and infrastructure needs as companies look to expand data center development across Texas.

“Why rural Texas? In rural Texas, there’s more freedom to fully execute their plans compared to metropolitan areas,” McAdams said. “They have the ability to build their own campus, their own configurations.”

The issue is expected to receive additional attention from state lawmakers as Texas evaluates the infrastructure needed to support continued growth.

Groundwater regulations
Groundwater policy and private property rights were also covered during the conference.

Panelists discussed the challenges of managing a shared groundwater resource with local groundwater conservation districts while protecting landowners’ private property rights and helping landowners protect their groundwater when there is no district which may include a proposal to make some minor changes to the rule of capture.

The panelists also discussed the need to have larger groundwater conservation districts that will be better equipped to manage groundwater. They recognized that it will require local support to accomplish this goal.

Discussion also focused on groundwater conservation districts and concerns surrounding water use associated with data center development.

Policy updates, additional sessions
Additional presentations covered implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the outlook for a new farm bill, fertilizer prices, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority programs, Ag in the Classroom initiatives, county Farm Bureau activities and recognizing misinformation on social media.

TFB Government Affairs staff provided an update on the 2026 primary elections and issues expected to be considered by the Texas Legislature in 2027.

Texas A&M Chancellor Glenn Hager and Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham also addressed the group.