Jun 05
As the New World Screwworm (NWS) continues to make headlines, it is important to be aware of your herd’s risk level. Producers need to be prepared to implement additional monitoring and biosecurity measures if an infestation occurs in their area. Dr. Mitch Blanding, the director of beef technical services at Zoetis, discussed steps producers can …
May 21
The following is an open letter from Oklahoma State Veterinarian Dr. Rod Hall as he updates stakeholder on the New World Screwworm situation: “I wanted to give a New World Screwworm update, now that we’re on our way into summer and fly larvae will be a common occurrence. “Mexico, USDA, and Texas continue to take …
Apr 24
Active cases of New World Screwworm in the two Mexican states that border Texas in the far southern tip of that state are exploding. Over the past week in the state of Tamaulipas, active cases have jumped from 63 to 116. This state borders the Gulf of America to the east and Texas to the …
Apr 21
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins recently highlighted a significant advancement in American agriculture with the groundbreaking of a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Texas. This collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Army Corps of Engineers is a pivotal component of the USDA’s strategy to combat the …
Mar 09
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) today announced a construction contract with Mortenson Construction to build a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas to help with Screwworm Preparedness. This facility is a key component in Secretary Rollins’ sweeping 5-prong strategy (PDF, 1005 …
Feb 10
Yesterday at Moore Air Base, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Governor of Texas Greg Abbott celebrated a significant achievement in the fight against New World Screwworm (NWS) with the completion of a U.S.-based sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas. This facility expands USDA’s ability to disperse sterile flies along the border …
Feb 02
Jennifer Carrico of DTN writes: USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has expanded sterile New World screwworm (NWS) fly releases to include Texas to help stop the pest’s northern spread. In an APHIS news release late Friday, APHIS stated the new dispersal area, or polygon, will include operations about 50 miles into Texas, …
Jan 30
Texas Prepares for New World Screwworm: Chris Clayton of DTN writes: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday issued a statewide disaster declaration to better equip the Texas New World screwworm (NWS) Response Team to prevent the potential spread of the screwworm fly into Texas and to protect livestock and wildlife. “Although the New World screwworm …
Jan 27
Winter Storm May Help Control New World Screwworm: In a DTN Article written by Bryce Anderson he states: Across the central and eastern United States, the 2026 mid-January winter storm has brought delays, damage and danger. The storm brought record-breaking cold, blizzard-strength winds, freezing rain and snow to many states east of the Rocky Mountains. …
Dec 30
Lots of stories were important to our farm and ranch community- but here are a half dozen stories that mattered to many in our region- they are in no particular order. New World Screwworm in Mexico- Heading North This story actually started in November of 2024, with the announcement by the Mexican government and the …
