“Not just livestock, but all mammals": Texas A&M discusses the New World Screwworm threat

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says she is preparing to announce an updated plan to combat New World Screwworm. It comes as APHIS adds El Salvador and Belize to the list of affected regions.

Dr. Phillip Kaufman, with Texas A&M University, joined RFD-TV’s Suzanne Alexander to discuss the latest update on the status of the pest, feedback from his recent webinar, the upcoming updated plan, and signs that producers should be looking for.

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Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
“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.”
“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.”
Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.

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