New efforts are underway in Mexico to bring the New World Screwworm under control. USDA is spending money to breed sterile flies, a popular control method for the pest.
It is welcome news to producers in cattle country, including Texas, where ag economists warn the costs of a U.S.-based outbreak would be detrimental.
“For Texas alone in 2024, if we had New World Screwworm at the rates that we saw in the past, it’d be $1.8 billion to the Texas economy and about $732 million just for the producers,” said Elliott Dennis.
Dennis says the pest can wipe out as much as 60 percent of an animal’s value.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins is also weighing in, and she echoes the recent warnings.
“The NWS is a scourge that is making its way from Latin America up through Mexico, and if it hits America, it is going to be absolutely devastating to our cattle industry. At the top of the list, frankly. So a lot of our industries.”
Mexico and the U.S. are renovating an existing fruit fly facility. Once running, it will produce up to 100 million sterile flies each week. This kind of population control is a popular form of eradication.
Cattle imports from Mexico have been suspended since earlier this month. However, USDA’s Chief Veterinarian says they could resume by the end of the year. She tells Reuters that the Department will not resume imports until they are comfortable with Mexico’s surveillance. Right now, imports are suspended indefinitely on a monthly basis.
Farm Journal Foundation Senior Policy Adviser Dr. Stephanie Mercier outlines new research on the top sixteen biosecurity threats in agriculture/
December 10, 2025 01:05 PM
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Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
December 08, 2025 01:55 PM
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Texas livestock producers face a heightened biosecurity threat as New World screwworm detections in northern Mexico coincide with FDA approval of the first topical treatment.
December 05, 2025 11:27 AM
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Cargill’s commitment to keep plants open helps preserve competition as Tyson removes capacity amid historically tight cattle supplies.
December 01, 2025 03:55 PM
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November 26, 2025 11:27 AM
Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
November 21, 2025 02:09 PM
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Expanded aerial capacity strengthens the U.S.–Mexico buffer against screwworm, providing cattle producers with stronger protection heading into winter and reducing risk to herds along the southern tier.
November 14, 2025 10:34 AM
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The facility will increase the range of sterile fly release and bolster preparedness for New World Screwworm.
November 13, 2025 01:15 PM
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November 13, 2025 10:33 AM
