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In this week’s episode, the TribCast team talks to Phillip Kaufman, head of Texas A&M’s entomology department, and Josh Winegarner from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association about the arrival of screwworm in Texas.
A bipartisan group of federal campaign operatives is launching a new super PAC in support of state Rep. James Talarico with plans to hammer Attorney General Ken Paxton on his legal and ethical scandals.
The Texas Farm Bureau encourages pet owners to check animals daily for any wounds and monitor for foul odors, tissue damage or signs of fly larvae in wounds.
It’s also advisable to assess a pet’s environment for items that may cause injury, like metal collars, wire fencing, and sharp vegetation.
Abbott said the state’s emergency command center will be open 24/7 to ensure all screwworm incidents are reported and tracked.
The U.S. Department of War is putting a military commander in charge of helping accelerate resource gathering, construction and research, according to Rollins.
Five cases of New World screwworm were recently confirmed in Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and Gov. Greg Abbott this week held a joint press conference to address the flesh-eating fly that poses a threat to Texas' $15 billion cattle industry .
Here’s what you need to know. 🧵
Communication between ranchers and pet owners on the ground and federal agencies will be critical in efforts to combat screwworm.
But Texans in the vacant 23rd Congressional District, where three cases were reported, don’t have a member of Congress to hear them out or provide them with information.
If predictions are correct, the Rio Grande Valley’s produce industry could be down a total of 40% of their typical fruit and vegetable plantings due to drier weather later this summer.
The screwworm is a parasitic fly that infests living mammals, like cattle, pets, and wildlife. Cattle are particularly susceptible to screwworm.
Agriculture leaders fear if the fly is not contained, it could cost Texas’ cattle economy at least $1.8 billion.
For now, Dudley Hoskins, under secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs with the USDA, has urged animal owners to stay vigilant, check their animals closely and report anything that looks suspicious.
On Wednesday, the country’s first case of screwworm in 60 years was reported in Zavala County, involving a three-week old calf.
Less than a week later, a new case was reported in Andrews County, nearly 400 miles north of Zavala, involving an infested dog.
Texas Tribune
Texas Tribune
Texas Tribune
In this week’s episode, the TribCast team talks to Phillip Kaufman, head of Texas A&M’s entomology department, and Josh Winegarner from the Texas Cattle Feeders Association about the arrival of screww...
