Lawmakers introduce the ‘STOP Screwworm Act’ to protect U.S. livestock

To help combat the growing threat of the New World Screwworm, lawmakers in border states introduced the STOP Screwworm Act.

The bill aims to fund a new sterile fly production facility in the U.S. to tackle the growing threat of the flesh-eating maggot. With support from the NCBA and other cattle groups, the bill would use sterile insect techniques to stop the pest from spreading into the United States, the same technique used in the 1960s to eliminate NWS from the states.

Related Stories
Ranchers have a lot going on at the moment, but some ‘friendly’ news could be coming with this month’s Cattle-on-Feed Report from the USDA.
F-10 Wound Spray can now be used for livestock and other animals as officials monitor the ongoing New World Screwworm outbreak in Mexico.
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on current cattle market conditions and shares advice for producers seeking to stay protected in an uncertain market.
Partnership with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ensures Engineering Excellence and Operational Effectiveness
Mexican livestock officials are emphasizing surveillance and inspection systems to preserve access to the U.S. cattle export market. Texas’ Bovina Feeders explains the rising stakes as the border stays closed.
Texas lawmakers secure funding for sterile fly production as officials work to stop the New World screwworm from spreading into the U.S. cattle herd.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

University of Nebraska–Lincoln ag educator Matt Kreifels discusses his recent FFA Alumni award and the future of ag education.
Mexico plans to release 202,000 acre-feet of water into the Rio Grande, offering temporary relief to South Texas farmers as Congress advances the PERMIT Act.
Analysts say that while low-income households are facing financial pressures, other middle- and higher-income consumers are helping fill the gap for retail beef demand.
Despite China’s sharp drop in grain purchases this year, new USDA export data this week shows that even some buying activity from the trade giant still moves the markets.
Tim and Sharyn Abbott of the Music City Celebration Sale recap the weekend’s premier auction, which drew top dairy breeders and buyers to Nashville again this year from across North America.
The bill to once again allow schools to offer whole milk and 2% milk will now go to President Trump for approval.