USDA Expands New World Screwworm Prevention—Here’s What Cattle Producers Can Do
The USDA has begun implementing expanded efforts to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS), following an announcement from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during a press conference held in Texas last week. With concerns rising about the pest’s potential spread, cattle producers across the country are asking: What can we do right now to help?
To get answers, we spoke with Colin Woodall, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), who provided key insights into the current threat and what producers need to look for in their herds.
“You know, the fly is still about 370 miles south of Texas. And we have to understand that this is not a wall of flies heading our way. And when it does show up in Texas, we won’t be surprised by it. You know, there’s been a lot of rumors here, popped up things such as sightings in Missouri and Oklahoma. This fly is not going to surprise us like that.”
While the pest hasn’t reached U.S. soil yet, vigilance is crucial.
“But it’s important for producers to know what to look for because it does hit here. We need to be prepared regardless if you’re in Texas or if you’re in Georgia.”
To assist with producer education, NCBA has created a valuable online resource.
“So the best thing would be to go to NCBA’s website, that’s ncba.org, where we have a New World Screw Worm fact page to be able to learn more about how that fly works, what to look for, what the larva looks like.”
Staying informed through reliable sources will be key as USDA continues its efforts.
“And then again, just make sure that you’re listening to news outlets and to the various associations because, again, we know this is not going to surprise us, but we do need to be prepared.”
As USDA’s prevention plan rolls out, producers can support efforts by learning identification techniques, monitoring their herds, and staying connected to updates from NCBA and the USDA.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.