Texas Braces for Potential New World Screwworm Outbreak

Dairy industry concerned about impact on livestock and markets as pest nears border

Mar. 11, 2026 at 6:41am

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The Texas dairy industry is on high alert as the New World screwworm (NWS), a parasitic fly that poses a serious threat to livestock and wildlife, appears to be drawing closer to the Texas-Mexico border. With the northernmost active case of NWS about 200 miles south of the border, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has issued a statewide disaster declaration to prevent infestation and protect the state's livestock and wildlife. The potential outbreak is a major concern for the dairy industry, which fears the impact on livestock health, markets, and operations.

Why it matters

An outbreak of NWS in Texas would be devastating for the state's dairy industry, the nation's third-largest milk producer. The pest could wreak havoc on livestock health, disrupt markets, and threaten the livelihoods of dairy farmers. The industry is closely watching the situation and preparing for the possibility of the pest crossing into Texas.

The details

The resurgence of NWS in May 2025 led the USDA to suspend imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico through southern border ports. NWS is a parasitic fly that causes myiasis by infesting living tissue. It was previously eradicated from the U.S. in the 1980s after 30 years and extensive efforts. In response to the threat, the USDA has launched the NWS Grand Challenge, a major funding initiative to accelerate innovative tools, technologies and strategies to combat the northward spread of NWS.

  • The northernmost active case of NWS is about 200 miles south of the Texas/Mexico border.
  • In May 2025, the USDA suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico through southern border ports due to the resurgence of NWS.
  • On January 21, 2026, the USDA announced the launch of the NWS Grand Challenge to combat the northward spread of NWS.
  • On January 29, 2026, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statewide disaster declaration to prevent NWS fly infestation and protect livestock and wildlife.

The players

Texas Association of Dairymen

The trade association representing the interests of Texas dairy farmers.

Greg Abbott

The governor of Texas who issued a statewide disaster declaration in response to the threat of NWS.

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture, which suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison from Mexico and launched the NWS Grand Challenge to combat the spread of the pest.

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What they’re saying

“Hands down, the threat of New World screwworm is a dark cloud over the Texas dairy industry that is also affecting other livestock industries. It appears to be drawing closer to the Texas-Mexico border, and it is likely we will see it cross into Texas this spring or summer. I hope I'm wrong. Even though an infestation would be much more devastating to ranchers and wildlife than to dairy farms, it will be destructive to many farms, markets and industries in Texas. The possible stop movement of cattle alone can wreck markets. Should it cross into Texas, it would be a serious threat to the health of livestock and livelihoods of dairy farmers in Texas, the nation's third-largest milk-producing state.”

— Darren Turley, Executive Director, Texas Association of Dairymen

What’s next

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The takeaway

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