US: Protecting the herd from new world screwworm, says NCBA's Kim Brackett

Published 2024년 12월 17일

Tridge summary

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) is warning cattle producers about the potential re-emergence of the New World screwworm in the United States, following its detection in Central America and Mexico. This fly species lays its eggs in open wounds or body orifices, and its larvae burrow deep into the skin, causing significant damage and tissue loss. The NCBA is collaborating with Mexico's cattle industry leaders and the USDA-APHIS to implement measures such as deploying sterile flies to prevent the pest's spread. They are also urging cattle producers to be vigilant for any signs of the screwworm and report any sightings to the appropriate authorities. The NCBA's website will provide the latest information on how to protect cattle from the screwworm.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

Every cattle producer knows that pests are a challenge to our operation, but some pests are far more dangerous than others. One of the new threats to our herd comes from the New World screwworm, which is currently advancing through Central America into southern Mexico and could soon be at our border. The New World screwworm (NWS) is a fly that has a particularly gory way of harming our cattle. Female NWS flies lay their eggs in open wounds or body orifices and when the larvae hatch, they burrow deep into the skin like a screw driving into wood. These maggots feed on cattle’s tissue, causing larger wounds as they go. NWS flies and their burrowing larvae cause extensive damage to cattle and infestations can spread rapidly. In 1966, we eradicated screwworms in the United States through sterile insect technique. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) bred sterile male NWS flies that mated with wild female screwworms and failed to produce offspring. Eventually, these flies died out ...

Source: Prairie Grain Partners