livestock

USDA Plans to Reopen Southern Livestock Ports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is taking a major step toward restoring livestock trade with Mexico. USDA announced a phased reopening of southern ports of entry beginning with the Douglas, Arizona, cattle crossing on August 24. The move comes after nearly a year of restrictions designed to protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat of New World Screwworm, a …

feral swine

USDA Announces $35 Million to Combat Feral Swine

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced $35 million available in response to the growing threat that feral swine have on American agriculture landscapes and human and livestock health. According to a press release by the USDA, quote, this partnership opportunity is part of a broader $105 million investment for the Feral Swine Eradication and Control Pilot Program, where USDA’s …

eradication

USDA’s Approach to NWS Eradication

The battle against the new world screwworm isn’t being fought with insecticides or fences. Instead, USDA is deploying an unusual weapon, millions of sterile flies. It sounds like science fiction, but it’s a proven strategy called the sterile insect technique or SIT. The idea is simple. Scientists raise screwworm flies in specialized facilities and expose them to gamma radiation, making …

New World Screwworm

Current Status on New World Screwworm

This week the USDA’s official NWS X account, New World Screwworm Rapid Response, made a post describing the progress in eradicating NWS. The post includes several bullet points detailing strategies being taken to combat NWS. The post reads, “ Audio Reporting by Elizabeth Sanders for Southeast AgNet. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2026FL Cattle Enhancement Board Wraps up Funding …

New World Screwworm

USDA Announces Funding for 40 Break Through Projects to Combat NWS

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced funding for the 40 Breakthrough projects in an effort to defend against New World Screwworm. Through the program proposals will receive a combined total of $105 million. According to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website this funding will be used “to sharpen detection, accelerate control and eradication tools, and strengthen …

rollins

Secretary Rollins Provides Update on NWS Efforts From Infested Zone in Texas

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins was in one of the New World Screwworm infested zones last week and provided an update on the efforts so far to address this pest. “Continue to note that our food supply is completely safe. There’s no compromising of that. Our great American beef, this is an issue. It is a pest that we will continue …

Hassey Brooks

Trump Appoints Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness

President Donald Trump has appointed a new Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness. John Bellinger has been appointed in this role and according to USDA, “will integrate into USDA’s team to help further drive its robust effort to explore all available technologies to combat the New World Screwworm.” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, “I want to thank …