Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is on stage with Texas Governor Greg Abbott talking new steps to stop the spread of New World Screwworm.
Rollins says USDA will build on their five-point plan that is already in place. USDA will be building a domestic sterile fly facility in Edinburg, Texas, where they will be able to supply 300 million flies per week. They are also dishing out $200 million to help in the meantime, which will buy technology that officials can use to bridge the gap until the facility is built.
Rollins calls the plan a tactical move and says USDA will be proactive with this situation.
Related Stories
Farm Journal Foundation Senior Policy Adviser Dr. Stephanie Mercier outlines new research on the top sixteen biosecurity threats in agriculture/
Lawmakers and experts react to the Administration’s long-awaited announcement of “bridge” aid to stabilize farms and offset 2025 losses until expanded safety-net programs begin in 2026.
$11 billion will go to row-crop farmers immediately, with $1 billion set aside for specialty crops.
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
Texas livestock producers face a heightened biosecurity threat as New World screwworm detections in northern Mexico coincide with FDA approval of the first topical treatment.
While the agriculture industry hoped details on proposed “bridge” payments for farmers would be released this week, Ag Secretary Brook Rollins said the USDA is still working with the White House on the finer points.
Cargill’s commitment to keep plants open helps preserve competition as Tyson removes capacity amid historically tight cattle supplies.
