The Crossroads Chapter of Independent Cattlemen’s Association met at the Sky Restaurant in Victoria with 20 members in attendance Thursday, Oct. 16.
Ty Billings, Region Manager of Texas Animal Health Commission, gave an update on the New World Screwworm (NWS) situation. Cattle are not being imported to the United States from Mexico. The screwworm case found in Mexico 70 miles from the Texas border had no live larvae, and no NWS have been found in the traps in northern Mexico.
Release of sterile flies is the only way to eradicate the spread of screwworms. Sterile flies that are being released are produced in Panama. A facility to produce sterile flies in Texas is probably a year out before becoming operational. Producers are encouraged to monitor their livestock as well as pets and wildlife.
