Screwworm threat leads to halted livestock imports, raising concerns in Texas Panhandle

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has suspended livestock imports from Mexico to Texas to prevent the spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS).

This parasitic fly lays eggs in open wounds, and its larvae feed on living tissue.

There are about 1.5 million cattle transported from Mexico to the U.S. each year, and majority of those cattle go to the Texas Panhandle.

On May 27, Secretary Rollins announced the USDA will invest $21 million to renovate a fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico.

This facility will support the long-term goal of eliminating the screwworm by pushing them further South.

Dr. J.D. Ragland, a Randall County extension agent at the Texas A&M AgriLife Service office, says if the screwworm were to spread north, it could devastate our cattle industry and threaten wildlife populations, pets, and even humans.

“It’s been estimated that it can cost the industry $2.1 billion of loss if not treated, so it’s a serious issue that could be detrimental to our area since we have a lot of beef production in the Texas Panhandle,” said Dr. J.D. Ragland,

He says deer and other game animals would be at risk, potentially disrupting the state’s $9 billion wildlife/hunting industry.

In response to the growing concern about the NWS, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will host a free live education webinar on June 9 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. CST.

To register for the New World Screwworm Webinar, click here.

The Randall County AgriLife Extension Service office, located at 200 N. Brown Road, is hosting an in-person educational program June 9 from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

To contact the extension office or RSVP call 806-468-5543.

Dr. Ragland says ranchers and regulators should stay on high alert even though the parasite hasn’t crossed the border.