In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur, who emphasized the importance of the USDA’s announcement in Austin regarding plans to build a new sterile fly facility to combat the outbreak of the New World screwworm. USDA invited Secretary Arthur to attend the news conference held by Secretary Rollins to announce her latest efforts to battle the New World Screwworm. “For Oklahoma, and especially for our cattle producers, we appreciate so much that Secretary Rollins has us as such a high priority,” Secretary Arthur said. She noted the significance of millions of dollars being invested in a new facility in Texas, as well as in research and innovation aimed at finding long-term solutions.
Arthur stressed just how close the threat feels to Oklahoma livestock producers. She described the most recent findings as “certainly too close for comfort for many of us,” and emphasized the importance of strong federal and state cooperation. She also praised Texas leaders for joining the effort, noting, “To have the governor there today with Secretary Rollins, just shows that everybody knows how important this is, and we want to get it right and protect our livestock producers.”
The secretary praised the wide-ranging steps USDA announced, including sterile fly production, research funding, and coordination with Mexico. “It is certainly very impressive to see the collaboration between Secretary Rollins and Mexico,” Arthur said. She highlighted that both U.S. and Mexican officials recognize the need for cooperation to safeguard livestock industries on both sides of the border.
Still, Secretary Arthur acknowledged concerns from Oklahoma cattle producers about ongoing restrictions on Mexican cattle imports. Secretary Arthur reassured producers, ” We will continue to work with the USDA and do all we can to protect the livestock industry.” While understanding the frustration, she stressed the priority is containment: “We’ve got to make certain that we have a handle on the screw worm situation.”
Arthur concluded by emphasizing Oklahoma’s preparedness efforts. “Everyone is trying to proactively do as much as we can,” she said, praising the work of State Veterinarian Dr. Hall, Oklahoma State University, extension services, and practicing veterinarians. She added, “My hope would be that we do all of this work and then don’t have to deal with the situation in Oklahoma. But if we do, we’re going to be as ready as we possibly can.”
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
