Screwworm forces border crackdown, puts pressure on Panhandle cattle supply

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - A dangerous parasite is disrupting the cattle industry, and it’s causing problems here in the Texas Panhandle.

The USDA temporarily paused a few cattle imports from Mexico after the deadly screwworm was detected in animals in November near the border.

“We have seen a reduction in the number obviously of Mexican cattle coming over, which is apparent in the numbers of cattle on feed numbers and numbers of Mexican cattle and pastures up here in the Panhandle right now. So it’s been a hit to supply,” said Josh Winegarner, director of government relations at Texas Cattle Feeders Association.

There are about 1.5 million cattle transported from Mexico to the U.S. each year.

According to Winegarner, the majority of those cattle go to the Texas Panhandle.

There are five ports currently open for cattle transport into the U.S. —two in New Mexico, two in Arizona, and one in Texas.

Each of these ports has safeguards and protocols in place to address the risk.

“The other major focus we’re dealing with is how do we stop the screwworm from moving further north and keep it in Mexico and then push it back into Central America? So what we’re doing today is working closely with the USDA, with Texas Animal Health Commission, and with some of our other industry partners to build that system up, get what we have, get some additional resources in place, so that we can release more sterile flies in the infected zone,” said Winegarner.

Officials are preventing the spread by releasing sterile screwworm flies to prevent reproduction and reduce the population.

“Releasing the sterile flies, they’re all produced in Panama, flown into Mexico, released in those areas right now that are infected in Mexico. Then trying to bring more sterile fly production online, which could take six to nine months at the earliest,” said Winegarner.

Dr. Taylor Hudspeth, owner of Young Veterinary Services and doctor in veterinary medicine, says the screwworm is no ordinary pest.

“The screwworm larvae or maggot eats live tissue. This can include small wounds on cattle. It can be castration sites or surgical sites on horses. Sometimes this can even affect humans,” said Dr. Hudspeth.

Dr. Hudspeth says this parasite could kill an animal if left untreated.

“This could absolutely lead to death, if not significant disease and morbidity and mortality in our cattle population, which then affects our food supply and just the overall wellness of our cattle population here in the Panhandle,” said Dr. Hudspeth.

Both Winegarner and Dr. Hudspeth say ranchers and regulators should stay on high alert even though the parasite hasn’t crossed the border.