New World Screwworm Outbreak Threatens US Cattle Supply And Beef Prices In 2025
A flesh-eating parasite that ravages livestock has made alarming progress northward through Central America into Mexico, sparking major concerns among US agriculture officials and consumers alike. The New World Screwworm, a deadly pest that consumes live tissue of warm-blooded animals, is edging closer to the US border — breaking through barriers that held it back for decades.
As a result, the US government has temporarily halted cattle imports from Mexico, a country that typically supplies over a million head of cattle to American ranches annually. This move, while precautionary, could worsen the existing shortage of beef and drive prices even higher.
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Why US Consumers Should Care
The US cattle inventory is already at one of its lowest points in decades due to prolonged drought and rising costs. The halt in Mexican cattle imports — key to supplementing the American beef supply — could put additional pressure on already soaring beef prices, especially during the peak summer grilling season.
Experts also point out that a previous import freeze from November to February this year likely contributed to the current upward trend in beef prices. Young Mexican cattle are often sent to the US to be fattened before slaughter. Fewer imports mean fewer cattle being processed, reducing availability and increasing costs across the board.
Despite the screwworms currently being about 700 miles from the US border, their potential arrival poses serious risks — not only to livestock but also to domestic pets and even humans. Homeless individuals, in particular, could face heightened vulnerability, as the parasites target open wounds and poor hygiene increases the likelihood of infestation.
Efforts To Stop The Screwworm Spread
To fight the growing threat, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has allocated $21 million to convert a Mexican fruit fly facility into a plant capable of producing sterile screwworm flies. This approach has historically proven effective: sterile male flies mate with wild females, but produce no offspring, gradually reducing the population.
Currently, a plant in Panama releases around 100 million sterile flies weekly. However, experts argue this is no longer enough. Since screwworms have passed through the narrowest points of Central America, larger-scale sterilization efforts are required to curb their spread.
Screwworms can only fly short distances on their own but travel great lengths inside infected animals. This mobility makes containment challenging, as cattle or wildlife carrying larvae can unknowingly introduce the pest into new territories.
The High Cost Of A Screwworm Outbreak
Should an outbreak reach US soil, the economic impact could be devastating. The USDA estimates Texas alone could suffer $1.8 billion in losses, covering livestock deaths, treatment expenses, and added labor.
Treating screwworm infestations is no simple task. Ranchers must remove hundreds of larvae and disinfect wounds — a process that is both time-consuming and costly. Unfortunately, after decades of screwworm absence, many modern ranchers lack experience in dealing with the pest, increasing the potential for widespread damage.
Originally eradicated from the US in the 1960s through the sterile fly technique, the screwworm is making an unwelcome comeback. Livestock experts are urging swift action before the pest reaches critical areas like Texas.
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