local
A battle for the cattle: new Madison County extension agent tackles agriculture threats and youth programs
By Kenny Graves at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 22, 2026
· 2 min read
New extension agent tackles screwworm threat and youth programs in Madison CountyWatch the full story here: A battle for the cattle: new Madison County extension agent tackles agriculture threats and youth programsShannon Dietz, a new extension agent from Prairie View A&M, is one month into the j...
Key takeaway Hendrix Broussard, a 4-H program specialist, said the role Dietz fills is a critical one in the community.
Why this matters in The Waco
The arrival of Shannon Dietz as the new extension agent in Madison County comes at a critical time for local agricultural producers, who are facing emerging threats from the New World Screwworm and the pasture mealybug. As Dietz works to educate producers on how to protect their animals and pastures, the potential economic impact of these threats is a major concern for the community. If the cattle industry is damaged, consumers in Waco and surrounding areas could see higher prices for beef at the grocery store. Dietz's efforts to advise neighbors on how to protect their animals and his work with local youth through 4-H programs will be closely watched in the coming months. His ability to build relationships with local students, as evidenced by the praise from Harper and Owen Rouse, will be essential in building trust and ensuring the success of his outreach efforts.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? New extension agent tackles screwworm threat and youth programs in Madison CountyWatch the full story here: A battle for the cattle: new Madison County extension agent tackles agriculture threats and youth programsShannon Dietz, a new extension agent from Prairie View A&M, is one month into the j...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kenny Graves at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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