New World Screwworm Found in Texas

追加: 2026-06-05

[00:00:04]Hello everyone and welcome back to a special edition of the Lancast egg podcast here with the Western Egg Network as well. That's because late this evening, USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service did confirm the detection of new world screw worm in a boine in Zavala County, Texas.

[00:00:21]Affecting a 3-week old calf and larae were identified in the umbilical cord area. Now, that was reports coming out of Texas uh over the last two days, but we can officially officially confirm that New World screworm has crossed the border and been found in livestock here in the United States. The big question now is what happens next. This has been a big topic over the past few months.

[00:00:48]Just any rumor has just rocked the cattle markets. It's going to be interesting to see what those cattle markets do on the futures board tomorrow morning on Thursday. But uh to see what happens next is join uh joining us now is Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattleman's Beef Association. And Colin, this is something NCBA has been tracking for quite some time. Uh we've seen a lot of movement on this issue. We saw the Biden administration initially closed the border. Uh then uh Secretary Rollins reopened it not long after President Trump took office for the second time.

[00:01:21]Then the Trump administration closed the border, but we just saw this screw continue to move up from Central America into Mexico and further north. Um does this news surprise you and what is it like talking with uh your affiliate down in Texas at this point?

[00:01:40]>> So this news does not surprise us. We've been expecting this for quite some time.

[00:01:44]So, it's not a surprise. It's not a shock. And we've had a year and a half to get ready for this. We've really been anticipating this. There's been a lot of anxiety within the industry knowing that it was going to probably happen here over the past several weeks. We finally have it. And quite frankly, it's it's good to finally get that done because now the anxiety is over and we can focus on the response. And that's what we're doing right now is focusing on the response. that is the response on the ground, but also in looking at how the media portrays this, how the consumers look at it, and then more importantly making sure we're providing all the support we can for those cow calf producers in South Texas who are going to be right there on the front lines of this battle.

[00:02:28]>> Now, as you said, mainstream media hopefully presents this in in a positive light. Obviously, we don't want screworm in the United States, but this truly doesn't have an impact on human health or how it is passed. Could you maybe walk us through there and just reassure our producers that are tuning in, but also the consumers that have been seeing this ugly looking worm uh posted all over social media here as of late?

[00:02:57]>> So, this particular pest is not a threat to the food supply. And I think first and foremost, we have to just continue to talk about this. This is not a food safety issue. It's not a food supply issue. This is a parasite that is an animal health issue. And that's how we're approaching this. We're approaching this much like we would any other parasite that is out there. And the fact that we've had almost a year and a half to work on this means we have more tools available in order to treat those larvae, kill those larvae, and ultimately heal those cattle. So, this is not a scenario where uh anything is going to to sneak by because these lesions are are they're extreme. And so we know that there's inspection protocols are currently being introduced and implemented by the Texas Animal Health Commission to uh to tackle this.

[00:03:52]The thing that really we need to be vigilant of, and that's all of us, especially the producers along the border in Texas, is keep an eye out on what's happening with your cattle. Uh this is a very quick fly. It it meaning that uh the the life cycle is very quick. And so when that fly lays its eggs, it could be about 14 15 hours before they then hatch and start burrowing in. So if you're out on a Tuesday and you don't have a problem, it doesn't mean that you won't also still have a problem on Wednesday. You could conceivably have some issues. So you need to get out among your cattle, look at them, keep an eye on them because it will present itself in a way that you will know that it's New World's screw work. Now, as we look at treatments, I know Zoetas received uh some FDA clearance uh to use uh Dectoax uh in other species such as dairy cattle, sheep, goats, horses. Uh we use detox uh on our operation to take care of of pests or uh worms, whatever it might be, a dewormer. Uh so obviously there is tools at hand. The south has eradicated this before as well. uh what are some of those uh steps, biological or treatments that NCBA is continuing to to share with their members and producers out in the countryside?

[00:05:11]>> Yeah, of course, the biggest thing is to know what to look for. And one of the best places to go to get some resources is bqa.orgcrewworm.

[00:05:22]That's bqa.orgscreworm.

[00:05:25]And there you can see what the larvae looks like, what the fly looks like, what those lesions looks like. And that gives you a better ability to go out and make sure that what you're seeing could potentially be a new world screworm larvae. Then you need to make sure that you call your local veterinarian. And we encourage you to call your local state animal health official. In Texas, of course, it's the Texas Animal Health Commission. call your local extension agents and be able to take a sample. So that way that can get sent by these agencies to the veterary labs uh network that we have here in the United States, especially the one the diagnostic lab in Ames, Iowa to be identified. And then by talking to your veterinarian, he'll be able to help recommend which of those products is probably best for your operation to be able to kill the rest of those larvae, be able to heal up your cattle, and make sure that we keep them healthy.

[00:06:18]Now a big question for so many producers. Obviously this is impacting producers along the border in Texas in particular here to start with. Uh but those southern states along the border will be very vigilant and obviously protocol is already in place with USDA with their fivepronged approach to try and manage and head off the screworm.

[00:06:38]They've been ant anticipating it.

[00:06:40]They've been creating facilities to create more sterile flies to really try and and get ahead of this uh before it truly has a big impact. But uh I know up here Montana where I call home. What uh what what is the impact to producers nationwide? What what is happening on the ground right in Texas and Zabala County? What's happening in the state of Texas? Uh how is this going to impact the transportation of cattle uh across the south south, the southwest and the northern states? where are we at right now and what's going to happen when producers wake up tomorrow morning to maybe take some cattle to the livestock market here in Montana. Will that have any impact on them at all? So over the course of the past year and a half, industry along with the state animal health associations, the state animal health organizations and USDA have all been working together to put in place what's called the playbook. This is the response on how we are going to uh ultimately u address the situation that we're dealing with today and add additional cases as they come up. One of the things that's been very clear here is we wanted to make sure that we don't do anything that chokes down the channels of commerce and that's the way the playbook has been designed. So right now in Texas there is an infestation zone that's been identified. So, for uh 72 hours, 3 days, nothing is going to be able to move out of that infestation zone. And that is going to allow the Texas Animal Health Commission and USDA to be able to get in there and do their inspection to find out if there are additional cases. As they do their inspections, if they put in place treatment protocols, cattle will be able to start to move again if they do not show signs of new world shreworm. Uh this is not a quarantine situation. We want everybody to understand that this is not one of those. there are going to be some movement restrictions and when people are able to get those inspections done, they'll be able to move outside of that infested zone. The rest of the cattle in Texas right now that are away from that infestation uh infested zone can move freely. Uh what we are hoping that uh happens is that all of these states continue to abide by the playbook and by all the conversations we've had and they do not shut down borders. there is no scientific reason to shut down borders and I believe the state animal health officials uh because they've been a part of this planning can prepare for that. Now of course I think all of us are expecting a pretty significant market uh hit tomorrow. How long that lasts I think is the question. So much of that's already been factored in to the rumors that we've had here over the past several days. But we have to keep in mind that this is not going to uh shut down the cattle industry. And also it's important to remember this is not a wall of flies that are coming across the border. This this is not what that is.

[00:09:29]These are going to be one onesies, twoosies, one case here, two case here.

[00:09:33]So what we have seen throughout Mexico, I expect that's what we will see here.

[00:09:37]And you also have to keep in mind that we will ultimately eradicate this again too. So we do not expect this to be a long protracted effort. is soon as we start getting more of the sterile flies, we will be able to push this thing back into Mexico, back into South Central America, and ultimately back into South America.

[00:09:54]>> Now, Colin, I want to reiterate that that's going to have no impact on cattle going uh say from our northern states up to Canada. A lot of Canadian buyers are buying calves right now in the summer videos. That's going to have no issue if folks are if there's cattle moving north.

[00:10:08]>> Uh so, no indication that's going to be the case. There is nothing here that would prompt that. uh you know this this is a reportable pest meaning that if you see it you need to report it but this is not a pest that's going to shut down trade. Uh now that's based upon the science. We'll see what the political science uh has to say. We don't know that as of yet, but we would expect in the partnership we've had with uh with Canada that they would understand that we are already prepared. we're already responding and this is not a threat to uh cattle in northern states and not a threat to them if those cattle are then crossing into Canada. Colin, anything else you just want producers out in the countryside to be aware of? Uh again, best resources. Obviously, we're going to continue to share uh the information coming from USDA and trade associations here on the Western E Network as well, but uh uh just some last comments you want to share with folks uh here today.

[00:11:06]You know, we really have to keep in mind that we we've been anticipating this and doing so with a bit of baited breath. We can let that breath out now and remember that this is not a red alert situation.

[00:11:19]This is a significant animal health issue, but it's one that we are prepared for. It's one that we expected. It's one that we have the tools to address. It's one that we're going to have to manage for a while, but it's not going to just completely or shut down this industry. And also, it is not a food safety issue. This is another pest that we will continue to manage until we get to that point that we eradicate it. And I just want everybody to know that the state associations, the national associations, the state animal health officials, and USDA, we've been preparing for this. We're ready for it.

[00:11:54]And that's why the response has already been very swift and uh and and useful for for all of us to kind of see how quickly that that happens. So, uh so yes, keep an eye on things, but don't panic.

[00:12:07]>> Another question, uh there's a lot of feed lots obviously in Texas that receive several million head of cattle to finish in Texas. Uh what is that going to be like in the coming days? Uh I would assume the border will remain closed, but what have those discussions been like? Yeah. So, there's no indication that there's any effort to to open the border right now. And now that we have a case on our side of the border, as you can imagine, USDA is going to be focused solely on that for quite some time. Uh, will there be some additional conversations about the border over the next several weeks or months? I anticipate there will be, but right now, USDA is focused on this immediate response. And as I said, that 72-hour stop movement is just for the infestation zone. Uh cattle in other parts of Texas will be able to move and cattle in the infestation zone will also be able to move once they go through the inspection protocols. So, uh it we we want to make sure producers understand, especially those in Texas right now, if you find screwworm, if you see something, say something because it's it's not going to shut you down. Uh there are going to be inspection protocols, but we need to know where those uh flies are at. We need to see the progress as they make it around the area there in Texas. And the only way we're going to do that is for producers to be v vigilant and then to be able to report what they see.

[00:13:29]>> Well, again, Colin, thanks for sharing more information on this first detected case here in the United States. Uh we'll continue to track this. I know NCBA will as well and and close communication with Secretary Rollins in USDA and of course Texas and all the other states along the border being impacted by by this. But again, uh a little breaking news here this evening. Uh we we knew it'd be coming. Uh we we saw I I got to see some of those images. I didn't share them on our our platform of the umbil umbilical cord and uh us in the livestock industry, it's like yeah, we that's exactly what it is. But of course, we did want want to wait and confirm that as USDA officially has. Um, we're not trying to create a stir. These are the facts as we currently see them. We'll continue to keep you up to date. But Colin, thank you for joining us here this evening.

[00:14:15]>> Thank you, Lane.

[00:14:16]>> And friends, thanks for joining us for this quick update. We'll catch you next time. I'm Lane Northland.