Sec. Rollins to make the “biggest announcement to date” this week regarding New World Screwworm

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says she will make what she calls the “biggest announcement to date” in the fight against New World Screwworm this week in Texas.

The flesh-eating pest has been advancing North from Central America, prompting repeated closures of U.S. livestock imports from Mexico. Texas recently revived the use of swormlure bait, a 1970s-era control method.

The USDA shut down the border again last month after detecting the pest’s spread, just days after partially opening it. Rollins says the U.S. is working more closely than ever with Mexico on eradication efforts.

Related Stories
NCBA’s Ethan Lane says producers and animal health officials now have more tools available to combat New World screwworm.
Strong cattle prices continue as USDA monitors the impact of New World screwworm along the southern border.
Secretary Brooke Rollins says expanding export markets remains a key priority for strengthening the U.S. farm economy.
New World screwworm cases continue to rise, prompting movement restrictions and increased vigilance among cattle producers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

For farmers and ranchers, the biggest near-term pieces are in the safety net.
Chip Cortez with Specialty Risk Insurance joins us to discuss farm safety priorities during National Safety Month.
The average age of covered barges also rose to 18 years, compared with 13 years from 2012 through 2016.
Record beef prices are reshaping dairy decisions, pushing dairy replacement inventories to the lowest level since 1978.