Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning producers to be on high alert following confirmation of the northern-most New World Screwworm (NWS) detection in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, only 90 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border.
“The NWS is not some distant problem. It is a direct and imminent threat to Texas, and we are treating it that way,” he said. “This is a high-stakes situation for our ranchers, our livestock industry and our food supply, and we are moving aggressively to stay ahead of it.”
While the U.S. Department of Agriculture has taken steps to respond, the reality, Miller says, is that the spread of the NWS has not been successfully contained to date.
“That is a serious concern, and it underscores exactly why Texas must be proactive in dealing with this threat. We are fully engaged and prepared to escalate every available tool to ensure this threat is stopped,” he said.
In a news release, Miller called on every Texas producer to be on high alert. “Check your animals. Know the signs. If you see anything unusual, report it immediately. There is zero margin for delay when it comes to screwworm,” he said. “Early detection is the difference between containment and a full-blown crisis that could devastate herds and livelihoods.”
“We are working with our federal, state, and local partners, but it is clear that more must be done to stop the spread at the source. Texas has defeated screwworm before, and we will do it again — but it takes urgency, accountability, and immediate action across the board,” he added.
With the screwworm inching closer, efforts to strengthen prevention tools are accelerating. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service is developing a 100 percent male-only sterile fly strain — a move that could double production capacity and improve the effectiveness of current containment strategies.
The U.S. is already producing sterile flies in Panama and investing $21 million to expand Mexico’s production capabilities, part of a broader strategy to stop the pest before it reaches U.S. herds.
For more information on NWS detection, prevention, and reporting protocols, visit Screwworm.gov.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
We have previously reported on the New World Screwworm as it first appeared in Mexico. Unfortunately, attempts to contain it have slowed its progress northward but failed to stop it completely. As the article points out, screwworms are a serious threat to livestock and livestock production. Ultimately, if it finds it’s way into the U.S., the price of beef in the grocery store could escalate even more. This is another one of those issues that demands continued monitoring and reporting. We’ll be sure to keep you posted.
In the meantime, be sure to keep your inventory posted on AgTruckTrader.com®. Why, you might ask. For one thing, we are constantly encouraging farmers and ranchers to visit the site. We promote it on websites, social media and at live events, such as rodeos we attend. Also, the people who go to the AgTT website are actually shopping for a new or used truck. They are not just a cold lead offered by some companies selling a customer list. And, we help direct them to you, the CAD member, NOT your competition. You have first dibs to conquest the sale when they do arrive at your door!
