In today’s Beef Buzz, Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Ben Weinheimer, CEO of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association, who discusses the New World screw worm situation and the cattle industry’s response. He emphasized his confidence in U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ leadership, saying, “Once again, here we are today with Secretary Rollins and, just could not continue to be any more impressed. She has a really dedicated focus on ensuring that she has a methodical, logical plan towards addressing this New World screw worm issue.” Read our Monday beef buzz for more information from Brooke Rollins on screwworm.
Weinheimer described the challenge as “a multifaceted approach” but one that Rollins is handling effectively with “tremendous human resources and physical resources to it to really help us ensure that we have the right plans, procedures in place.” He stressed the importance of having strong response plans in case the pest enters U.S. cattle operations, adding that Rollins has put those foundations in motion.
A key part of Rollins’ strategy, Weinheimer noted, is her relationship with Mexican officials, which he sees as essential for progress. “She was very positive in her remarks today, they’ve really forged a strong relationship and trust and confidence that both of their teams have in working towards the various elements of this response effort, from fly trapping to surveillance programs, to reporting, just all things related to the transparency.”
Weinheimer also pointed to the joint efforts by both countries to expand sterile fly programs, mentioning “the repurposing of that sterile fruit fly plant [in Mexico] and then the construction of the new sterile fly plant down in Mission, Texas.” He acknowledged that while solutions are still in progress, “there definitely is a plan and a strategy,” which should eventually lead to the safe reopening of the border for Mexican feeder cattle.
Finally, Weinheimer underscored the importance of Mexican feeder cattle to the supply chain. “Those Mexican feeder cattle, they’ve been a long-time component of our supply chain… It helps keep these packing plants full and keep the retail meat case full.” He said TCFA remains patient and supportive of Rollins’ process, confident “she has a plan to get us there the right way.”
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.
