The cattle markets are rattled after a human case of New World screwworm was confirmed in the United States.
U.S. health officials say it was found in a human returning from an infected area.
The CDC confirms to Reuters that the patient was returning to Maryland from El Salvador.
NCBA says they were made aware of the situation, and says that luckily, no livestock were involved, and they do not expect any risk to the industry at this time.
Less than two weeks ago, USDA announced plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a sterile fly facility at Moore Air Base, which is less than ten miles from the Mexican border. That facility is expected to produce 300 million sterile flies each week.
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Texas A&M livestock economist Dr. David Anderson joins Tony St. James to discuss the geopolitical tensions and U.S.-Mexico border closure that are leading to sharp swings in the cattle market.
Expect firm calf and fed-cattle prices — pair selective heifer retention with prudent hedging and liquidity to bridge rebuilding costs.
Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
“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.”
“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.”
Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
