This op-ed was written by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller and distributed to members of the media.

The Biden Administration’s new Horse Protection Act rule might sound like a good idea on paper, but let me tell you: It’s a disaster in practice. This rule isn’t about protecting horses; it’s about federal bureaucrats grabbing more control over an industry they clearly don’t understand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s new rule is so absurd that it makes using fly spray on a horse a potential violation. That’s not a joke — they can’t be serious!

The HPA was enacted in 1970 with good intentions — to regulate the Tennessee Walking Horse industry and to outlaw the showing, sale, auction, exhibition, or transport of sored horses. Soring is the intentional infliction of pain on a horse’s legs or hooves using chemicals, devices, or other harmful methods to force an exaggerated, high-stepping gait. This was common in competitive show circuits for breeds like Tennessee Walking Horses and racking horses.

Due to my heavy involvement in the equine industry, I know firsthand the importance of protecting this sector and these animals. But we’ve got to do it with practical, enforceable regulations. The new HPA rule will devastate the equine community, especially breeders, trainers, and horse owners in Texas and nationwide.

Anyone who’s ever owned a horse — whether for work, hobby, or show — knows we treat these animals better than most folks treat their favorite family members. For Texans, horses are more than just animals. They’re part of our families, our livelihoods, and a driving force of our economy.

If the HPA rule change is implemented, horse owners will have many headaches. The rules would ban anything that might cause irritation. Even a minor rub from a bell boot or sore muscles from training could be labeled as intentional soring. Before long, every 4-H horse event, barrel race, cutting, rodeo, horse show, trail ride, reining event, and team penning could face burdensome regulations.

Event organizers would have to provide advance notice and hire USDA-approved veterinarians or vet techs to inspect every horse and reinspect the class winner. Even something as simple as applying show sheen to a horse’s coat could result in disqualification.

This new rule doesn’t just target owners — they drag in haulers, trainers, vendors, and sponsors, making everyone liable. Horses would need to be blemish-free, undergo invasive inspections, and face strict shipping regulations. Even basic therapeutic treatments would require a vet’s oversight, and winners in the ring would face mandatory reinspection. It’s government overreach at its worst, and this isn’t even the complete list of what they’re pushing.

Soring is an issue that is largely specific to the state of Tennessee, so I question why the national equine industry must suffer under smothering regulations that overrule what should be dealt with at the state level. I’ll tell you. They are trying to rewrite the rules to expand the definition of “soring” so broadly that it could rope in nearly the entire horse industry. Animal rights extremists just won’t quit. The new HPA rule is a direct result of their meddling. Believe it or not, the USDA’s lead veterinarian, Dr. Aaron Rhyner, had the gall to suggest that even the simple act of riding a horse could somehow be considered “soring.”

The USDA’s new rule forcing the equine industry to hire, train, and implement inspectors — that we have to pay for — at every event classified as a horse show is impossible. They don’t have the funding or resources. They also promise to hire qualified industry-experienced veterinarians, which we know is a role that is currently seeing staffing shortages already. What will they be forced to do instead? Send inspectors — most of whom lack fundamental knowledge about horses or rural life—to tell us how to care for our animals? Give me a break!

Here’s the bigger picture: This government overreach won’t stop with horses. If we don’t push back now, what’s next? Farmers, ranchers, and eventually, pet owners will all be in the USDA’s crosshairs. Today, it’s the equine industry. It could be your cattle, pets, or way of life tomorrow.

The bottom line is that these new rules won’t protect horses. They’ll devastate the equine industry, punish responsible horse owners, and destroy rural communities across the nation. Instead of promoting animal welfare, the USDA imposes senseless regulations that will do more harm than good.

It’s time to rein in these runaway bureaucrats and restore some common sense to Washington, D.C. It is my hope that the incoming Trump Administration will withdraw this new rule.

»Related: Is the expanded Horse Protection Act overreach or necessary reform?

An eighth-generation Texas farmer and rancher, Sid Miller is the 12th Commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture. 

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has announced a presumptive positive case of H5N1 Avian Influenza in a commercial broiler flock in Accomack County. Testing was conducted at the Maryland Department of Agriculture Laboratory in Salisbury, Maryland, with further confirmation pending from the U.S. Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories.

“In addition to working closely with USDA APHIS, VDACS is collaborating with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Delaware Department of Agriculture in a unified command structure to respond to all avian influenza incidents on the Delmarva peninsula,” wrote the department. “VDACS has quarantined the affected premises and is performing additional surveillance and testing within a 10-kilometer radius around the affected flock. The commercial flock on the affected property is being depopulated on Jan. 16 to prevent spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.”

Poultry owners are urged to implement stringent biosecurity measures to protect their flocks. These include limiting farm access, disinfecting equipment, keeping flocks away from wild birds, and isolating sick animals.

VDACS has also advised poultry producers to report any signs of illness or unusual mortality to the State Veterinarian’s Office at (804) 692-0601 or vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov.

As wild birds can carry the virus without visible symptoms, VDACS reminds the public to minimize contact with wild birds, practice good hygiene after any interaction, and follow biosecurity guidelines. Hunters are encouraged to dress game birds in the field and adhere to biosecurity practices to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Currently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports an ongoing multi-state outbreak with widespread cases of H5N1 in wild birds. Poultry flocks are experiencing sporadic outbreaks, and mammals other than dairy cattle are also susceptible to sporadic infections. To date, there has been no person-to-person spread. 

»Related: Study: H5N1 potential for mutation raises human risk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first day of Congress is often considered the “first day of school” for those who work to advocate and lobby on Capitol Hill.

The vice president swears in new senators, while the Speaker of the House welcomes both new and returning members of Congress. Once sworn in, newly minted offices welcome members’ families, local leaders, and a long line of interest groups eager to greet the new faces of Congress.

The hallways bustle with activity, doors open and lines stretch down corridors for brief, 30-second introductions to new members of Congress. Among these, a handshake with a chief of staff often proves to be the most powerful connection of all.

It’s a race to secure the handshake, followed by scheduled meetings the next week, as farm groups and other advocates work to establish relationships with a Republican-controlled House, Senate and White House.

However, new agriculture committee leadership, including minority members, will influence which sectors receive attention over the next two years.

“We have a lot of members who are from Minnesota; they have already been meeting with Senator Klobuchar and Representative Craig last week,” said Mike Mika, vice president of advocacy and government affairs for advocacy association AmericanHort. For lobbyists like Mika, the open-house atmosphere means making over 100 stops on the Hill during the first week.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) takes over as the ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee following the retirement of Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). In the House, Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) beat out Georgia Democratic Rep. David Scott for the position of ranking member of the House Agriculture Committee.

Observers on Capitol Hill highlight a significant shift in the states and commodities represented on these committees. Both previous democratic leaders represented states with strong ties to horticulture, including fruits, vegetables and specialty crops.

In an interview with Agri-Pulse TV, Anne MacMillan, a political strategist with Invariant, said, “I think there will be a renewed focus on some of the Minnesota commodities — corn and soybeans — as opposed to the fruits and vegetables that Georgia and Michigan perspectives would have brought.”

She noted that the new minority leadership presents opportunities for advocacy among farm groups and associations. Those “who don’t have as many firm connections, it presents the opportunity to be able to retell your story, potentially pick up a new advocate for issues and positions all across the farm bill.”

The shuffling of committee memberships also began during Congress’s first days. Republicans announced new members of the House Agriculture Committee, including Rep. Newhouse of Washington, Rep. Tony Wied of Wisconsin, Rep. Bresnahan from Illinois, Rep. Mark Harris of North Carolina, Rep. Messmer of Indiana and Rep. Fave Taylor of Texas. Pennsylvania’s Glenn “GT” Thompson continues as the chairman of the committee.

A week later, Democrats unveiled their committee roster, which now includes 25 seats on the House Agriculture Committee. New Democratic members are Reps. Adam Gray of California, April McClain-Delaney of Maryland, Kristen McDonald Rivet of Michigan, Shomari Figures of Alabama, Josh Riley of New York — who defeated former agriculture member Mark Molinaro — John Mannion of New York, Shri Thanedar of Michigan, and Eugene Vindman of Virginia. Two positions remain unfilled, likely to be allocated to Reps. David Scott and Chellie Pingree — who are seeking waivers to serve on both the appropriations and agriculture standing committees.

Horticulture groups such as AmericanHort, which worked closely with Stabenow and other horticulture-focused leaders, have greatly benefited from having committee members who understand their industry — a sector that just recently received federal crop insurance protection for nursey operations.

Mika said, “What GT put together with David Scott and others was probably one of the best farm bills we’ve seen, specifically for specialty crops.”

Preparing for a new Congress requires a reset, Mika explained. Key priorities this year include the farm bill, tax issues, and H-2A and H-2B visa reform, along with sending policy recommendations to Trump’s transition teams that have threatened immigration reform impacting agriculture workers.

Educating row crop-focused representatives about horticulture’s importance is another priority.

“You think about row crops and everything in agriculture — it all starts in a greenhouse. Explaining that to staff and representatives is a chance to educate. All parts of agriculture rely on greenhouses to some extent,” Mika added.

Advocacy groups are watching Cabinet nominations closely. U.S. Department of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins’ hearing is set for Jan. 23, while Labor Secretary nominee Lori Chavez-DeRemer awaits scheduling. This nomination holds special interest for the horticulture industry.

“Her [Chavez-DeRemer] being a former member of Congress, she knows our industry very close with the Oregon Nursery Association, which we work with,” Mika said.

Staff transitions are also critical as Craig is expected to retain staff from former ranking member Scott and former Rep. Collin Peterson, while Klobuchar will likely retain staff from Stabenow — relationships that associations will need to maintain. Stabenow, now a senior policy advisor for a healthcare lobbyist, Liberty Partners Group, will continue to shape policy discussions.

In the end, Mika noted, “We won’t know what those talking points are until, you know, 60 to 30 days out,” as the administration finalizes its policy priorities. Ultimately, the transitional period offers an opportunity for advocacy groups to build relationships, educate new leaders and shape the future of agricultural policy in the United States.

Jake Zajkowski is a freelance agriculture journalist covering farm policy, global food systems and the rural Midwest. Raised on vegetable farms in northern Ohio, he now studies at Cornell University.

The National Association of Wheat Growers awarded House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) with its 2024 Wheat Leader of the Year Award for getting a long-term bipartisan farm bill passed out of the committee, which, if enacted, would have made significant improvements and investments in the farm safety net.

NAWG President Keeff Felty presented the award to Thompson during the National Wheat Foundation’s annual Wheat 101 reception in Washington, D.C.

“Chairman Thompson has been a champion for wheat growers, and we appreciate his efforts to advance the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act out of committee and for helping secure much-needed economic assistance for farmers last month. NAWG is proud to present him with the 2024 Wheat Leader of the Year Award,” Felty said. “This past year, the Chairman and his staff have made themselves available to NAWG, and I have always felt our needs were heard. I look forward to continuing to work with Chairman Thompson as we focus on getting a bipartisan, long-term farm bill passed that helps wheat growers and rural America thrive.”

The Wheat Leader of the Year Award is given annually by NAWG to one Member of Congress based on their demonstrated commitment to the well-being and goals of the wheat industry. It is the wheat industry’s highest legislative award.

NAWG also presented four other Members of Congress with its Wheat Advocate Award for their support for the wheat industry that goes above and beyond.

• Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)
• Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS)
• Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS)
• Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS)