TAHC highlights veterinary loan repayment funds, trials and arthropod lab funding

The Texas Animal Health Commission reported funding and program updates Tuesday aimed at bolstering veterinary capacity, completing tick treatment trials and establishing a lab for ectoparasite identification.

Executive Director Dr. Dee Dinges and legislative staff summarized recently appropriated funding. Dinges said the state Rural Veterinary Incentive Program (RVIP) received $2.5 million for fiscal 2025 and another $2.5 million for fiscal 2027 from the 89th Legislature, and that the federal Veterinary Medical Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) award amounts have increased to $40,000 per year with an additional tax‑liability payment option, yielding a larger maximum three‑year award.

Research updates: Dinges reported the ivermectin‑analog (printamactin) cattle fever tick treatment trial was terminated at one site due to handling challenges and was completed at another research station. The project’s data analysis and draft manuscript are under internal review; the principal investigators supported a 56‑day treatment protocol and asked USDA ARS to continue evaluating an 84‑day protocol. Dinges said the commission requested and received an exceptional item of $30,000 in the legislative appropriations to complete stages of the research.

Ectoparasite lab and staffing: Dinges said the 89th Legislature funded an ‘‘Ectoparasite Field Identification Laboratory’’ as an exceptional item. Agency materials presented to commissioners listed roughly $272,550 in startup operating costs for the lab and additional funding to add veterinarian FTEs and salary adjustments. Legislative staff (Juan Oparo) also described appropriations: TAHC was allotted $40.8 million for the 2026–27 biennium in Senate Bill 1, including general revenue and federal funds and several riders to support IT reporting, entry point stations and cattle fever tick mitigation trials.

Federal program notes: Dinges and staff said the federal VMLRP program is paused nationally pending USDA review of funding opportunities; TAHC was awarded eight shortage areas for the 2025 cycle but was advised that USDA funding announcements remain under review. Dinges said TAHC will attend USDA listening sessions.

Ending: Staff said the agency will post new position recruitments for region directors and follow up on lab contracting and research agreements with Texas A&M to complete planned residue studies; commissioners approved related contracting authority during the meeting.