Texas farmers, ranchers and residents can now receive notifications about agricultural threats, wildlife diseases, invasive pests and quarantine actions through a new alert system.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, alongside Texas Department of Agriculture, Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, are launching the statewide alert system.

The Texas Agriculture Alert System, managed by AgriLife, provides email alerts when state agencies:

  • Confirm cases of dangerous plant, animal or wildlife pests and diseases.
  • Establish or update quarantine orders issued by the Texas Department of Agriculture.
  • Implement compliance agreements related to pest and disease outbreaks.

Users can choose to receive alerts for specific counties or subscribe to statewide notifications.

Each alert includes the date of the incident, the affected plant or animal category, the pest or disease involved and any counties impacted by quarantine actions.

Notifications are distributed via e-mail.

“The new animal and plant identification system will keep Texans notified of any immediate threats to agriculture and natural resources,” said Dan Hale, AgriLife Extension associate director for Agriculture and Natural Resources. “This notification system allows industry and others to deliver timely information and respond appropriately depending on the nature of an incident.”

The Texas Agriculture Alert System was developed by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension at the direction of the 89th Texas Legislature through House Bill 1592.