06/19/2026
Beef Division Update from Addie Stamps!
Mark Your Calendars!
Our Summer Beef Commodity Meeting is coming up soon! June 25th at the Pope County Farm Bureau office, starting at 12:00 with lunch. We have a great line up of speakers to discuss the Asian Longhorned Tick and New World Screwworm.
New World Screwworm Ag Insider
New World Screwworm:
What Arkansas Producers Need to Know
The USDA confirmed the first New World screwworm case
in the U.S. since 1966 on June 3, 2026. Since then, the
containment efforts have increased, with targeted sterile
fly releases and increased surveillance. However, the case
numbers and affected species continue to increase.
New World screwworm was eradicated completely in the
continental U.S. by 1966, primarily via the sterile insect
technique with help from the weather. Like horn flies,
New World screwworm activity tends to decline in the
colder months as the threshold for survival is 20 degrees
Fahrenheit. However, for Mexico, and many southern
states, temperatures don’t often drop to that level. The
sterile insect technique is the only proven method to
control fly populations. New World screwworm females only mate once in a lifetime, so when lab-raised, sterile males
are released into the population and mate, a generation of flies doesn’t hatch, and we see a population reduction.
There is one sterile insect production facility in Panama, which is operated by the Panama-United States Commission
for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworm Infestation in Livestock, with two more in construction; one in
Mexico and one in Texas. There are three dispersal facilities, two in Mexico and one in Texas. The aerial and ground
release of flies occur in targeted locations, where there is a population of New World screwworm.
During the last outbreak, it took six years for the continental U.S. to fully eradicate the parasite. Knowing what we
know now, how do we prepare? Ranchers should work with a veterinarian to create a fly management plan, which
may include FDA-approved preventative products.
A wound as small as a tick bite can become infested, which makes monitoring animals essential. Livestock
management practices such as castration, dehorning and branding put livestock at risk. Anyone calving in the
upcoming months should check the navels of newborn animals. Keep an eye out for wounds and certain behaviors
such as animals that appear sick, animals that isolate themselves, animals that become lethargic or stop eating, and
animals shaking their heads or excessively scratching. It’s important to note that, while we typically think of New World
screwworm affecting cattle, U.S. cases have included goats, sheep and a dog. If you own livestock and farm dogs or
barn cats, check all animals. Report suspected cases to a veterinarian or the Arkansas Department of Agriculture.
In 2016, New World screwworms were re-introduced to the Florida Keys. This outbreak affected companion animals
but also had a major impact on the deer population. Livestock producers have little if any control over the movement
of wildlife across their land, so it’s important to monitor wildlife the best you can. Wild hogs can be affected, so be
mindful if trapping or otherwise controlling the population and inspect those animals before disposing. The National
Wildlife Heath Center has worked closely with USDA in developing a plan to deal with New World screwworm in
wildlife.
In the previous U.S. outbreak, the economic impact on farmers and ranchers was significant. In a report from USDA
APHIS Veterinary Services, the leading impact was death loss, followed by loss at marketing.
Prevention and early detection avoid some animal loss, as the impacts of the parasite are treatable. As for loss at
marketing, the fed beef cattle futures market reacted immediately to news of the parasite in the U.S. It’s early yet to
tell the effect this infestation will have on the cash market but, as of now, prices remain high. Potential disruptions
to the market could result from movement restrictions. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has added entry
requirements to all warm-blooded animals traveling from an infested state. Animals must be accompanied by
an Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
dated within seven days of entry into the state and
documentation must include the following statement:
All animals in shipment were inspected and found free of
evidence of New World screwworm infestation.
Movement of animals into Arkansas from identified
New World screwworm infested zones will be restricted
according to federal response guidance. Louisiana has
also placed restrictions on the movement of cattle
coming from or through an infested zone. Canada,
despite its cooler climate and distance from Texas, has
declared they will temporarily deny entry of cattle originating from or that were present in Texas within 21 days of
attempted entry to Canada. The Texas border remains closed to incoming cattle from Mexico, and any thoughts
towards reopening have been postponed. Rodeos and livestock shows have increased biosecurity practices, with
many having veterinarians on-site to check incoming animals.
Lastly, I want to commend Arkansas producers for staying vigilant and up to date on New World screwworm news. I
encourage everyone to reassure the public that it is still safe to eat beef. The parasite cannot be transmitted to humans
through eating beef and consumers should have no concerns over purchasing meat at the grocery store. Beef shines
during the summer grilling season and we want to continue promoting our product.
Beef Council News
The Arkansas Beef Council recently approved $132,000 in funding for research and promotion projects. There were 25 proposals submitted, with 13 being approved for funding. You can find the list of funded proposals here.
For More Information:
Addie Stamps
Commodity & Regulatory Affairs
501-228-1475 | [email protected]
