Texas governor aims to expedite construction of fly-breeding facility to combat cattle parasite issue.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott articulated his apprehensions on Friday regarding the timeline for a newly planned factory aimed at breeding sterile New World screwworm flies. This facility, a critical component in efforts to curb the threat posed by the larvae of this flesh-eating pest, is not projected to commence operations for over a year, posing significant risks to the 3 billion U.S. cattle industry.
Abbott pledged that Texas would assist the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in hastening the construction of the 0 million breeding facility located near Edinburg, Texas, approximately 20 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. He emphasized Texas’s commitment to ensuring construction runs around the clock to mitigate the pressing threat posed by the screwworm infestation. Without an increase in sterile fly production, Abbott indicated that the state may not withstand another summer of infestation.
The USDA recently confirmed the emergence of New World screwworm fly larvae in a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, Texas—marking the first documented case in the state since 1966. The Edinburg facility is one of two fly-breeding sites funded by the USDA, with efforts currently underway to convert a southern Mexico location from breeding fruit flies to the targeted screwworm flies. The Mexican site is anticipated to start producing around 100 million flies per week as early as next month.
The larger Texas facility is expected to generate up to 300 million flies weekly and is comparable in size to two Costco stores. Experts believe that both factories are necessary for eradicating the screwworm from the U.S., Mexico, and Central America. USDA officials have made strides in expediting planning and construction timelines to address the urgency of the situation, with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins expressing optimism that operations could begin ahead of the projected November 2027 opening.
Despite ongoing infestation challenges, agricultural experts emphasize that beef supply chains should remain intact unless drastic measures, such as restricting cattle movement in affected areas, are enacted. The New World screwworm can severely impact animal health if left untreated, feeding on living tissue; however, numerous government-approved medications exist to combat the issue.
As consumer prices for beef reach record highs, the ongoing screwworm situation complicates a landscape already strained by tight cattle supply. While recent screwworm outbreaks in Mexico have influenced U.S. cattle imports, experts note that these imports represent only a small fraction of U.S. cattle supplies. Thus, the screwworm’s presence, while alarming, is not seen as a significant factor in broader market trends.
Historically, the New World screwworm has been a damaging pest, particularly for U.S. cattle ranchers from the 1930s through the 1960s. A previous successful eradication campaign involved releasing sterilized male flies, effectively disrupting the pest’s reproductive cycle. Current efforts involve dropping millions of flies from planes across Texas as part of a strategic plan based on predictive scientific models to manage the pest’s movement effectively.
As officials work diligently to combat the return of this pest, both state and federal responses will face scrutiny and demands for rapid and effective action to safeguard the health of livestock and the stability of the agriculture sector.
