While many farmers and ranchers had hoped New World screwworm (NWS) would stay well south of the U.S.-Mexico border, we’re now all aware that wasn’t in the cards for American cattlemen. With a few days to let that news sink in behind us, our attention turns to one question: Now what?

Right off the bat we want to share something USDA, APHIS and the Texas Animal Health Commission have already stated: A) No one needs to panic. There is a plan in place, and we know how to eradicate this pest. B) NWS is an animal health issue, not a food safety issue. Meat remains safe to eat, and treated and inspected cattle can continue to move from affected areas.

Tracking potential spread within the U.S., how to protect our herds and what the near future might look like for cattle movement in affected areas are top of mind. To help our listeners navigate this new information, Angus Beef Bulletin associate editor Lynsey McAnally was joined by Jennifer Koziol, associate professor of food animal medicine and surgery at Texas Tech University on the morning of Tues., June 9, to discuss recent announcements and what cattlemen need to keep in mind for the near future related to NWS.

Additional resources: 

• Screwworm.gov
• Confirmed NWS Cases in the U.S. 
• Current NWS Status in the U.S.
• Report a Suspected NWS Case 
• U.S. NWS Response Playbook
• Subscribe to the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA

Thank you to GeneMax® Advantage™ for their sponsorship of this episode. 

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