The cost is racking up to eradicate and prevent New World Screwworm from entering the U.S.

The fight against New World Screwworm is getting expensive. NCBA says full eradication is costly, which is why prevention is a top priority.

“The dominoes in Central America fell fast, and we saw it from November of last year up and through the winter into the spring, we saw this disease move quickly through Central America into Mexico, and that is why such an urgent concern for the United States now because it is right at our southern neighbor, and we’ve got to make sure we keep it out of the U.S. cattle herd. It is an extremely expensive disease to eradicate once you have it, so prevention is worth everything here,” said Sigrid Johannes of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

One facility producing sterile flies is up and running in Panama. Mexico is currently working on another, with one planned in Texas later this year.

Related Stories
Florida’s import rule shows New World screwworm concerns are already affecting livestock movement and market conditions.
South Texas producers remain on alert as screwworm concerns grow; sterile fly efforts underway to prevent spread.
Strong demand for U.S. beef in Mexico is boosting exports, with buyers seeking both variety meats and high-quality cuts like Prime and Choice ribeye.
Oklahoma livestock economist Dr. Derrell Peel helps us break down the April Cattle-on-Feed report and what it signals for herd rebuilding, supplies and prices moving forward.
Groundbreaking Marks Next Major Milestone in Strengthening U.S. New World Screwworm Preparedness
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller joins us with an update on the most recent case of New World screwworm 90 miles from the U.S. Southern border.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Faren Rachels is a Georgia-native who made the move to Music City. She has opened for some of the biggest names in music, from Luke Combs to Willie Nelson, and her songs have been recorded from many of today’s artists.
In part six of his blog series,"Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” farm legal expert Roger McEowen tackles issue #2, foreign ownership of ag land.
In part five of his blog series, “Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” Roger McEowen tackles issue number three, California’s Prop 12 pork regulations.
In part four of his blog series, “Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” Roger McEowen tackles issue number four, the Employment Retention Credit.
In part three of his blog series, “Top 10 Developments in Ag Law and Tax in 2023,” Roger McEowen covers the Corps of Engineers’ mismanagement of Missouri River water levels.
We caught up with country music star Ian Munsick and Mo Brings Plenty during the 2023 NFR about his new documentary.