Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller is continuing the fight to keep New World Screwworm out of the United States. He recently announced new steps he is taking in the Lone Star State.
His department will be using a synthetic bait called “Swormlure Five,” which is engineered to smell like an open wound, attracting Screwworm flies to the bait. Once they reach the trap, they die.
Miller says prior tests using the new bait took out 90 percent of the flies within two to four weeks. He says the remaining flies are wiped out using sterile male flies in the same area.
The project with this new bait is an effort alongside USDA. They are also working with the Mexican government to do their part. Miller says, “We’ve beaten this before, and we’ll do it again,” which is in reference to when the pest was found in U.S. herds in the 1970s. He adds it will take all hands on deck this time around to keep it outside U.S. borders.
“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.
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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.
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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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