Texas set to use synthetic bait to combat the spread of New World screwworm

“We got to do something now!”

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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Farmers will need to closely monitor forecasts if the regulatory changes are implemented, as temperature cutoffs will replace fixed spray dates.
Midwest corn and soy producers are monitoring for disease and lower yields due to the ongoing drought over the last 30 days.
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.
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.
“We believe that it is just a matter of days or weeks... before we see New World screwworm in Texas.”