The Texas Department of Agriculture is deploying a synthetic bait called Swormlure-5. It is designed to smell like an open wound, drawing flies in and helping control the spread.
Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller spoke with RFD-TV’s Tammi Arender about how the bait works, what producers need to know, and next steps moving forward.
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South Texas ranchers and vets warn that labor pressures will make monitoring for New World screwworm difficult across large cattle operations.
Officials say the FDA-approved generic drug kills most screwworm larvae within hours of administration. The medication is available in two dosage strengths and is administered based on an animal’s weight.
AFBF Economist Bernt Nelson discusses biosecurity to prevent New World Screwworm and financial tools to support livestock as eradication efforts continue.
Dr. Stephanie Mercier, Senior Policy Adviser for the Farm Journal Foundation, discusses USDA’s New World Screwworm eradication, sterile fly production, trade restrictions, biosecurity, and the path ahead for U.S. cattle producers.