New Mexico

New World Screwworm Map & 2026 Spread Predictions

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 14:18:26 GMT

As social media fills with maps and predictions about how far New World screwworm might spread this summer, many livestock producers are asking the same question: When will it get to me?

According to Cassandra Olds, Kansas State University Extension entomologist, that’s the wrong place to start. “I think everybody’s kind of bracing thinking when will it get to me, and that can be difficult to know for sure,” she says.

She argues producers should focus on understanding how the pest moves and what management steps can slow it down or keep it out of their herds in the first place.

Meteorologist Matt Makens explains weather patterns act as both a barrier and bridge for screwworm activity. For producers, that may be the most important line to keep in mind through the rest of the warm season.

How Temperature and Rainfall Affect Screwworm Survival

Weather does not just influence screwworm activity — it helps determine where the pest can survive, reproduce and spread.

Makens explains temperature thresholds can dictate screwworm development. Pupa development cannot proceed below about 58°F and halts above 110°F, while adult survival and reproduction are most favorable around 81.5°F. That means much of the southern U.S. is warm enough during summer to support at least temporary fly survival and movement. But heat alone does not tell the full story.

“While temperature defines where screwworms can survive, rainfall and moisture influence when and how intensely they can thrive,” Makens adds. In other words, many areas may be warm enough, but not every area will be equally favorable.

For producers trying to judge risk, moisture may be the deciding factor.

“Outbreaks often follow moderate to heavy rainfall by improving conditions for larval survival,” Makens says. “When rainfall coincides with favorable temperatures, screwworm activity tends to increase.”

In contrast, hot and dry conditions tend to suppress survival and reproduction. That is an important distinction for livestock producers who may assume the hottest areas automatically face the greatest danger. Makens suggests the higher-risk zone is really where warmth and wetness overlap — especially where recent rainfall has improved soil moisture and where livestock are exposed through wounds or other openings attractive to egg-laying flies.

Makens stresses, “The fly can’t live without water and dry soil is no good for their larvae.”

That means producers should watch not only temperatures, but also rainfall patterns, wet soils, humidity and any shift toward a more tropical summer setup.

Screwworm Migration Patterns: The Role of the North American Monsoon

Weather can do more than create suitable habitat — it can also physically help move the pest northward.

“One of the primary ways to move the fly, other than animal transport, is the weather,” Makens says, pointing specifically to the North American Monsoon, describing it as “a dominant source of migration.”

That monsoon pattern generally develops from late spring into summer and shifts winds into a more southerly, moisture-rich flow across Mexico and into parts of the Southwest and southern High Plains. He adds wind-assisted movements created an atmospheric “conveyor belt” that, in past outbreak years, helped reconnect infestations in the Southwest with source populations farther south.

For producers, that means concern should not be limited to locations immediately adjacent to current infestations. If winds, moisture and temperatures line up, the pest could move well beyond the border region.

The broader weather pattern matters, Makens summarizes, but so does what is happening in each pasture and pen. Screwworm is most likely to move north not in a uniform wave, but in jumps — following corridors where heat, moisture and wind align.

Why We Can’t “Draw a Line” to Where Screwworm Goes Next

Olds says predicting screwworm migration with precision requires sophisticated models that go well beyond a simple climate map.

“To actually predict, you need fairly sophisticated models that take into account the number of eggs that a fly can lay, the number of flies in the population, how far a fly can move, current weather conditions, animal movements and things like that,” she explains. “Without all this information, it’s difficult to reliably to predict where or how fast it’s going to spread.”

Historic data gives rough guidance on how far the flies themselves can move.

“We have some data, right, like 0.75 to 1.25 miles a day is average dispersal in previous outbreaks,” Olds notes. “But that really depends on conditions and how big your population is.”

Landscape also matters. Olds says NWS flies don’t like to cross bodies of water, so major rivers and other barriers can slow natural spread. But those biological and landscape limits are only half the story.

How Livestock Transport Spreads Screwworm Outbreaks

In addition to natural fly dispersal, livestock movements can pick the parasite up in one region and plant it in another.

“To predict where it’s going to go really depends on whether you’ve got fly movement and animal movement, or a combination of both,” Olds summarizes.

In other words, trucks can leapfrog flies. That’s one of the biggest reasons no one can honestly tell a producer in Kansas, Oklahoma or farther north that “their turn” will come in a certain month or year.

How Producer Behavior Can Speed Or Slow Screwworm Spread

Human decisions might matter as much as weather and biology.

Olds warns failure to report infestations and comply with control measures could dramatically accelerate spread. That puts producers in the position of front‑line risk managers. Reporting and allowing treatment might be inconvenient, but Olds says it’s also the best way to keep the parasite from marching across the map.

Making Sense of Social Media Maps

(Texas Tested Seeds & Plants)

One viral graphic, pictured above, created by Beverly Thomas of Texas Tested Seeds & Plants attempts to predict the potential NWS range based on climate suitability and historical data.

Thomas admits she is not an expert: “I’m just reporting what’s happening and going by historical references.”

Her post says: “The threat is divided into two distinct biological zones…where the fly can live *permanently*, and how far north it can march during the warm months. The ‘Summer Dispersal Zone’ — NWS can reach Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee and further north via wind/livestock. The ‘Overwintering Zone’ where NWS could become permanently established in South/Central Texas & Gulf Coast areas due to mild winters. Winter is the ultimate limiting factor because screwworm pupae can’t survive hard, prolonged soil freezes. However, the winters of the 2020s are significantly milder than those of the 1950s when eradication began. The new reality is that the permanent, year-round survival zone is no longer confined safely to Southern Mexico. South Texas, the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Gulf Coast could now be treated as year-round establishment zones. Many entomologists believe that warmer winter trends will allow the permanent NWS overwintering line to push into Central Texas and across the deep Southeast (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida).”

Thomas’ map predicts:

Critical/Active Regions: South Texas, Lower Rio Grande Valley. High humidity and thick brush provide ideal habitat. The parasite can easily establish a year-round lifecycle here if not eradicated quickly.
High Risk Regions: Central/East Texas, Gulf Coast, Coastal Louisiana, Southern Florida. These areas are at high vulnerability for permanent establishment. Mild modern winters mean soil temperatures rarely drop low enough for long enough periods of time to kill burrowed pupae.
Moderate Risk Regions: Northern Texas (Dallas/Panhandle), Oklahoma, Arkansas. These areas have a high vulnerability for summer infestation. While winter freezes will reliably clear out populations annually, unchecked spring/summer migrations could trigger devastating seasonal outbreaks.

Olds reviewed the map and says it is directionally reasonable, but producers should understand what it is — and what it’s not.

“If you have a suitable climate and a way for the fly to get there, a population can establish,” she says. “Suitable climates are different than what they were historically because we’ve got changing climate conditions.”

She notes climate change and cattle movement mean today’s “at‑risk” zone may be broader than the historical endemic area.

“A large part of the United States is at risk. We know what it was historically. This may have changed because climate conditions are different now,” she says.

For producers, that means maps can illustrate potential climate and geographic risk, but they don’t provide a day‑by‑day forecast for when screwworm will show up at the ranch gate.

Practical Risk Management: What Producers Can Do Now

Since no one can reliably answer “when,” Olds recommends reframing the question: How do I reduce the risk of introduction and spread in my herd and region?

She highlights three practical steps to reduce risk:

Control Movements Out of Infested Areas. “The management of risk is making sure we aren’t having cattle leave infested areas that have not been inspected because that’s the fastest way to get it to seed somewhere else,” she explains.
Inspect New Arrivals. “Monitor any cattle that you receive to make sure they don’t have it, so you’re curbing also the infestation,” she adds. That means working with veterinarians, checking animals closely — especially any wounds — and asking questions about origin and treatment history before cattle are commingled.
Track Confirmed Cases Through Official Channels. Rather than relying only on social feeds, Olds points producers to official reporting: “Watch the screwworm.gov website because they are going to report every single case, so then you’ll be able to gauge month by month, it’s moving here.”

She says following those steps allows producers to distinguish between natural fly expansion risk and introduction risk. For livestock producers in the Texas counties surrounding current outbreaks, she says the priorities are heightened vigilance and wound monitoring.

The Takeaway: Manage Risk Now, Don’t Wait for Certainty

While we may not be able to offer producers a neat line on a map or a firm date on the calendar, Olds’ message is that uncertainty about timing does not mean inaction.

While NWS’s exact migration path will depend on climate, flies, cattle movements and human behavior, producers can act now: Report cases, cooperate with control efforts, tighten biosecurity on cattle movements and stay current on official updates.

Or, as Olds puts it, instead of focusing on when, focus on: “What am I doing today to keep it from getting here at all?”

The Sweetest States: Where America Loves Ice Cream Most

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 21:12:23 GMT

July is National Ice Cream Month, and Americans are indulging like never before. But which states truly have the biggest sweet tooth? Recent research from SpinBlitz analyzed Google Maps listings nationwide to rank states by ice cream shop density, specifically the number of ice cream shops per 100,000 residents. Here are the top states who take their frozen dairy treats most seriously.

Top 10 Ice Cream-Loving States

1. Vermont (18.51 shops per 100K residents) Vermont tops the list with the highest number of ice cream shops per capita, and it’s not just thanks to Ben & Jerry’s. The state has a strong dairy foundation and a deep appreciation for small-batch, locally made ice cream. Whether in rural towns or tourist-friendly spots, ice cream shops are a visible part of Vermont’s food culture.

2. West Virginia (18.08) West Virginia ranks second in ice cream shop density thanks to a strong presence of locally owned parlors, custard stands and small-town scoop shops. It might not be a headline-grabbing food destination, but the state has a steady, long-standing appreciation for traditional favorites like banana splits, hand-dipped cones and floats.

3. Rhode Island (17.84) Rhode Island earns bronze in the nation for ice cream shop density. Known for regional favorites like frozen lemonade and coffee milkshakes, the state also supports a strong network of ice cream parlors across its coastal towns and neighborhoods. From tourist areas to local main streets, frozen treats are easy to find.

4. Pennsylvania (17.58) Pennsylvania ranks fourth with a diverse ice cream scene that reflects its mix of communities. From family-run creameries in rural areas to innovative shops in urban centers, the state offers a wide range of frozen dessert options.

5. Wisconsin (16.44) Known far and wide for its cheese, Wisconsin also delivers big on ice cream. Known as the Dairy State, it’s no surprise the state is brimming with mom-and-pop scoop shops, custard stands and local brands producing rich ice cream. Whether you’re at a farmstead creamery or a college-town cone counter, Wisconsin’s pride for ice cream shines.

6. Illinois (16.12) Chicago might be the driving force behind Illinois’ ranking, with its booming food scene filled with Instagram-worthy sundaes, small-batch gelato and quirky flavors. But don’t overlook the rural towns and suburbs, where old-school diners and small-town scoop shops keep the classics alive.

7. New Mexico (15.89) The only Southwestern state to crack the top 10, New Mexico might surprise you. But with sizzling summer temperatures and a thriving local food culture, it makes sense frozen treats are in demand. You’ll find shops serving everything from chile-spiked chocolate to cactus fruit sorbet.

8. Michigan (15.79) Snow doesn’t stop Michiganders from indulging. With thousands of inland lakes and summer tourists flooding towns like Traverse City and Petoskey, ice cream is a lakeside staple. From old-fashioned scoops to cherry-studded blends, Michigan’s ice cream culture is powered by nostalgia, local ingredients and a serious sweet tooth.

9. New Hampshire (15.54) New England knows its dairy, and New Hampshire is no exception. This state might not be flashy, but its abundance of seasonal roadside stands, maple-infused flavors and mom-and-pop ice cream stops make it a solid contender. Summer drives through the mountains or along the lakes are rarely complete without a cone in hand.

10. New York (15.35) New York ranks 10^th, where ice cream is as diverse as the state itself. From trendy, creative scoop shops and food trucks in the heart of New York City to time-tested creameries in upstate towns, there’s a flavor and style for everyone. With tourists and locals alike lining up for their favorite cones, New York’s ice cream doesn’t disappoint.

See How Your State Stacks Up in the Ice Cream Race
Whether you’re craving a classic cone or something a little more adventurous, it’s clear that some states really know how to satisfy that ice cream craving. Curious how all 50 states stack up in the great ice cream showdown? Check out the full ranking and see where your home ranks:

Rank	State	Ice Cream Shops per 100,000 residents
1	Vermont	18.51
2	West Virginia	18.08
3	Rhode Island	17.84
4	Pennsylvania	17.58
5	Wisconsin	16.44
6	Illinois	16.12
7	New Mexico	15.89
8	Michigan	15.79
9	New Hampshire	15.54
10	New York	15.35
11	Massachusetts	14.99
12	North Dakota	14.92
13	Ohio	14.90
14	Maine	14.89
15	Nebraska	14.83
16	Alaska	14.79
17	Indiana	14.78
18	Idaho	14.27
19	Delaware	14.05
20	Montana	14.00
21	South Dakota	13.96
22	Hawaii	13.78
23	Florida	13.67
24	New Jersey	13.61
25	Wyoming	13.56
26	Mississippi	13.25
27	Iowa	13.02
28	North Carolina	12.58
29	Texas	12.40
30	Arkansas	12.23
31	California	12.10
32	Arizona	12.09
33	Kansas	11.71
34	Connecticut	11.60
35	Virginia	11.25
36	Oklahoma	10.66
37	Nevada	10.54
38	Utah	10.38
39	Minnesota	10.37
40	Oregon	10.37
41	Tennessee	10.26
42	Louisiana	10.20
43	Georgia	10.00
44	Colorado	9.98
45	Kentucky	9.73
46	Washington	9.43
47	Alabama	9.23
48	South Carolina	8.80
49	Maryland	8.56
50	Missouri	8.44

Industry News: Nufarm Unites Under One Brand, Bushel's Digital Wallet Adds New Integration

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 15:26:29 GMT

Nufarm Announces New Brand
Nufarm has announced it is uniting each of its brands under the Nufarm name, saying customers can expect what the company looks like and how it refers to itself to change over the coming months.

The seeds division, formerly known as NuSeed, the crop protection division and Richardson Seed will operate as Nufarm from this point forward.

“The logo is new, but our commitment is unwavering,” says Mark Jackson, regional general manager, North America, seeds, in a company video . “Customers can expect a stronger Nufarm, represented by the same specialized crop protection and seeds teams and business leadership that exists today.”

The company expects this branding update to more clearly demonstrate its value to customers and the markets it serves. And while employee titles may change for clarity, Nufarm says the teams will operate the same way they have been.

“As we align our seed platform and our technology platform under one brand, Nufarm’s vision and its ability to deliver on its purpose with the customer at the center becomes much more clear,” says Ken Barham, regional general manager, North America, crop protection.

The company tagline will change to “Evolving Ag” across all platforms.

Cooperative Finance Association Integrates Bushel’s Digital Wallet
Cooperative Finance Association (CFA) agribusiness members can now accept digital payments through Bushel’s customer portals and pay back their loan digitally through the Bushel platform.

“For our members, we want to provide a seamless, more convenient way to offer financing and accept payments,” said Doug Richards, COO and CTO at CFA. “

CFA agribusiness members can take advantage of Bushel’s latest round of updates to generate returns on operational float. By keeping funds in an upcoming business account offered by The Bancorp Bank, N.A. (“The Bancorp”), Member FDIC, businesses can earn competitive interest while maintaining liquidity for daily operations.

“Streamlining input financing at the point of sale makes agribusinesses more competitive and helps farmers get the products they need without hassle,” said Jake Joraanstad, CEO at Bushel. “We’re proud to work with CFA to make financial transactions easier for both retailers and farmers.”

HGS BioScience Acquires Menefee Mining Corporation & Earthgreen Products
Paine Schwartz Partners-backed HGS BioScience has acquired Earthgreen Products and Menefee Mining Corporation. The company says it now has the deepest and most versatile portfolio of patented extracted granule, powder and liquid products in the industry.

“Humates mined from New Mexico’s Menefee Formation are known to be among the world’s highest quality natural humate deposits,” said HGS BioScience CEO Mike Steffeck. “Freshwater humates from this mine and its reserve typically generate higher levels of biological activity and they consistently test high in humic and fulvic acids,”

HGS BioScience adds the Menefee Mine and Cuba, N.M., processing plants to its current footprint of six manufacturing plants and a research and development center.

In addition, HGS says new extraction and formulation technology from Earthgreen allows the company to offer new, premium products.

“With our product portfolio and our state-of-the-art R&D facility in Sardis, Miss., we can help retailers create proprietary formulations and combinations of humic plus microbials, peptides, amino acids, enzymes and nutritionals in dry or liquid form to deliver unique and powerful biostimulant combinations,” Steffeck said. “We are now a one-stop shop for any ag retailers’ humic or fulvic acid needs.”

Tyler Lown Vandenburg, president of Menefee Mining Corporation will join the HGS executive team to help lead the continued transformation of the HGS business. Brett Lown, Earthgreen head of sales, will join the HGS commercial team to help lead strategic accounts.