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The State of Texas is now ground zero in a new biosecurity battle that could shape the future of American agriculture. On Friday, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) announced an $850 million federal investment to combat the reemerging threat of the New World Screwworm, a deadly flesh-eating parasite detected just 370 miles from the Texas-Mexico border.
The ambitious initiative marks one of the most aggressive pest control responses in decades, combining sterile insect technology, border surveillance, and cross-border cooperation with Mexico. With Texas boasting over 10 million head of cattle, the stakes are enormous.
What Is the New World Screwworm?
The New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is a parasitic fly that targets warm-blooded animals. Females lay eggs in open wounds, and when the larvae hatch, they burrow into living tissue, feeding on flesh and causing life-threatening infections. The parasite can devastate livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans.
Once eradicated from the U.S. in the late 1960s, the screwworm has reemerged in recent years, with the latest confirmed case just a few hundred miles from Texas. In 1976, an outbreak in the state caused $330 million in damage. Experts now warn that a similar outbreak today could lead to losses exceeding $2 billion and send beef prices skyrocketing nationwide.
USDA and Texas Respond With Five-Pronged Biosecurity Plan
In response to the looming threat, Secretary Rollins announced the launch of a five-pronged federal plan to halt the parasite before it crosses the border. The centerpiece of that plan is the construction of a $750 million sterile fly production facility, which will dramatically increase the United States’ ability to flood infected areas with sterile male flies to suppress the screwworm population.
The USDA estimates the new facility will produce up to 300 billion sterile flies per week, tripling the current output and eliminating dependence on Mexico and Panama for sterile fly supply. The dispersal process will target infected areas by air, preventing reproduction and eradicating the pest without harmful chemicals.
“It endangers our livestock industry, and it threatens the stability of beef prices for consumers across America,” Rollins emphasized at the press conference.
$100 Million for Innovation and Technology
In addition to the sterile fly facility, Secretary Rollins announced an additional $100 million investment for deploying and developing cutting-edge technologies to accelerate detection and eradication. These technologies will support field surveillance, genetic tracking, and potentially even next-generation sterilization techniques, including radiation and gene-editing tools.
Texas is also leveraging innovation by partnering with state universities and private researchers to refine fly sterilization processes and improve biosecurity protocols.
Boots on the Ground: Tick Riders and Beagle Brigades
To bolster surveillance along the Texas-Mexico border, Rollins announced that the USDA is deploying a combination of tick riders, mounted patrol officers trained to spot infected animals, and the Beagle Brigade, a group of scent-trained dogs capable of detecting screwworm infestations.
These frontline measures aim to identify potential outbreaks in wildlife and livestock before they can spread across the state.
“We’re putting real boots on the ground…From trained beagles to horseback patrols, this is a multi-layered defense effort.”
Source: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins
Texas Forms Screwworm Response Team
Even before the federal announcement, Governor Abbott had already moved to coordinate the state’s response. In June, he directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Animal Health Commission to create a joint Screwworm Response Team.
This team is responsible for:
- Enhancing border surveillance
- Coordinating interagency communication
- Educating landowners and ranchers
- Establishing emergency response protocols
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller (R) praised the move, saying the pest “poses a serious risk not only to Texas livestock and wildlife but also to the economic backbone of our rural communities.”
Dr. Bud Dinges, the state veterinarian, noted that preparations have been underway for over a year, including staff training and supply stockpiles.
Impact on Texas Cattle Industry and Beef Prices
The screwworm threat has already impacted trade and market conditions. The USDA previously shut down southern ports to cattle imports from Mexico, a significant move given that the U.S. imports between 1.2 and 1.5 million feeder cattle annually from Mexico. This action alone has tightened cattle supply and driven beef prices higher.
According to USDA projections, beef production in 2025 is expected to fall by 170 million pounds, a trend that could worsen if screwworm enters Texas. Any prolonged infestation or trade disruption could lead to price shocks for consumers and financial strain on Texas feedlots.
Governor Abbott acknowledged the economic stakes during the press conference:
“There’s a reason we’re seeing representation from everyt corner of Texas – this is an issue that touches every square inch of our state.”
Source: Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R)
U.S.–Mexico Cooperation: A Vital Piece of the Puzzle
While Texas and the USDA lead the charge, Mexico’s cooperation remains vital. Secretary Rollins noted that she is in regular contact with her Mexican counterpart, Secretary Víctor Villalobos Arámbula, and that their collaboration is “perhaps stronger than ever.”
The two countries are coordinating surveillance and containment efforts, particularly in Veracruz, where recent screwworm cases have been detected.
Still, there have been frustrations over reporting delays and communication breakdowns in the past, something Rollins says is improving.
Infrastructure in Texas: Moore Air Force Base Fly Dispersal Site
Part of the multi-pronged response includes the Moore Air Force Base fly dispersal facility near Edinburg, Texas. Funded with an initial $8.5 million investment, this facility will serve as the hub for fly releases across southern Texas and northern Mexico.
Once the new fly production facility is completed and operational, Texas will become the primary launchpad for eradicating screwworm in North America, reaffirming its role as America’s firewall against the parasite.
Legislation currently pending in Congress would expedite funding to complete the facility, but it is expected to take at least three years to become fully operational.
What’s Next: Will the Legislature Step In?
At the moment, the screwworm threat is not on the agenda for the current special session of the Texas Legislature. However, Governor Abbott has not ruled out adding it.
“The options are always on the table,” Abbott said when asked.
In the meantime, the Texas House Agriculture and Livestock Committee has held hearings to monitor the situation and explore further policy responses.
If the screwworm breaches the border, emergency action may be necessary, and the groundwork being laid today could determine how quickly Texas can respond.
Conclusion: Texas Is Drawing the Line
The return of the New World Screwworm is more than an agricultural nuisance; it’s a threat to Texas’s economy, America’s food supply, and rural livelihoods.
Fortunately, Texas isn’t waiting around.
From billion-dollar investments to sterile fly drops, trained border patrols, and cross-border partnerships, the state is responding with urgency and innovation.
The coming weeks and months will be critical. Whether or not the parasite crosses the border, the systems Texas puts in place today will determine its readiness tomorrow.
The threat is real. The clock is ticking. But Texas, once again, stands ready to lead the charge.
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