The nation’s largest cattle group says they are happy with USDA’s plan of attack against the New World Screwworm. They note that while action is needed, it will be a heavy lift.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s Ethan Lane says action is crucial right now and notes the proposed facilities will have their work cut out for them.
“You know, to really beat this thing back, we’re gonna need 3 or 4 or 500 million flies per week. This is going to help us get to that target zone, as well as substantial investments in both manpower and equipment with the Mexican government, to ensure that they’re doing the appropriate monitoring and surveillance, not just in cattle populations, but wildlife populations, people, all of those different things, that we know are moving back and forth through Mexico that could potentially carry this fly closer to the U.S. border.”
Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman is also on board with the plan. He calls the pest a threat to American agriculture and applauds the efforts to protect rural communities.
“USDA can no longer keep wasting its time and personnel to deploy Commissioner Miller’s infamous traps, which USDA has deployed, tested, and has proven ineffective.”
October 14, 2025 01:19 PM
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“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
October 13, 2025 01:28 PM
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Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
October 09, 2025 01:10 PM
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Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
October 07, 2025 10:55 AM
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October 01, 2025 10:02 AM
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Fewer placements and historically low marketings point to tighter cattle supplies ahead, with Nebraska and Kansas gaining ground as Texas feedlots face supply pressure and the threat of New World Screwworm.
September 24, 2025 03:40 PM
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What is it like working cattle with an outbreak of New World Screwworm so close to home? Wayne Cockrell, with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, joined us on Wednesday to discuss.
September 24, 2025 12:29 PM
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“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”
September 23, 2025 11:08 AM
September 23, 2025 09:42 AM
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