New World Screwworm

A Conversation With Ag Secretary Rollins on Labor, Disease and MAHA

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 19:38:42 GMT

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stuck to streamlining the federal government labor rules to alleviate dairy’s worker crisis and said more aggressive measures are coming to prevent and contain disease, in an interview with Dairy Herd Management. Rollins this week was at the joint annual meeting hosted by National Milk Producers Federation, the United Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association in Arlington, Texas.

While there, she said the H-2A visa program is particularly broken for dairy, which requires year-round support instead of seasonal workers. She also said measures, such as mandatory testing for lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement, are not aggressive enough to address modern biosecurity threats.

Below is a summary of Dairy Herd’s 20-minute conversation with Rollins, who discussed labor, disease prevention as well as her feelings on the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

What Federal Efforts Are in the Works to Ensure Adequate Labor for U.S. Dairies?

One of the central concerns among dairy producers, and the entire industry, is comprehensive immigration reform. To put it in perspective, more than two-thirds of today’s 9.36 million dairy cows are milked by immigrant laborers in the U.S., according to the National Milk Producers Federation.

Currently, the H-2A visa applies strictly to seasonal or temporary labor. Dairy operations, however, require consistent, skilled workers every day of the year. Milking and caring for cows, managing processing facilities and ensuring food safety are daily tasks that don’t pause between seasons. This mismatch leaves dairy farmers and processors nationwide without a legal means to fulfill their guestworker needs.

In addition to the need for year-round help, Secretary Rollins notes farmers must interact with three different federal agencies to use the H-2A program. Moreover, the costs associated with securing labor have significantly increased, with reports from farmers in south Texas indicating average hourly costs, including transportation and housing, reaching $30 to $35 per hour. Comparatively, similar labor across the border is $2 per hour, Rollins says, illustrating a system that is both unsustainable and inherently unfair.

Ideally, any H-2A program changes will reduce costs and red tape, but comprehensive solutions ultimately require congressional action.

In addition to visa programs, Secretary Rollins says the current administration remains focused on sealing borders and mass deportations.

“Everyone understands the dynamics of an open border, and the millions and millions, we’re unable to count how many, that crossed during the last administration. The President’s No. 1 promise as a candidate in 2022 through 2024 was sealing the border and mass deportations,” she says. “Looking at this challenge through the lens of understanding labor is absolute when we can’t feed ourselves, combined with where we are in terms of immigration, those are the nuances.”

How is the Administration Addressing Threats to Animal Ag?
On day 1, after being sworn in as Secretary of Ag, Rollins was briefed on HPAI . She made it clear that while some measures, such as mandatory testing for lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement , had been enacted, a broader and more aggressive approach is necessary. Recognizing that maintaining the status quo was insufficient, a comprehensive strategy was essential — not just from USDA but across the entire federal government.

“I realize there are lots of opinions on my boss, President Trump, but I think the one thing that most people would agree on is that he leaves it all in the field. And, that we have to do everything we can for this moment that we were given to fix a very broken system, whatever that system may look like, in this case, which is animal disease,” Rollins says.

In February 2025, the Trump administration set forth a five-point plan to combat HPAI . Rollins notes the dairy sector, in particular, showcased remarkable adaptability to HPAI threats, demonstrating industry resilience and proactive measures.

Significant investments, such as a $100 million innovation grant , have been allocated to explore vaccines and therapeutic solutions. However, the complexities of viral mutations necessitate caution, especially regarding vaccination strategies, to prevent potentially more dangerous strains from emerging.

“I think we’re going to make more progress than perhaps has been made. Having said that, it’s a virus and the virus always wins,” she says, noting they are worried about New World screwworm and took aggressive actions to combat that by closing several ports.

“We’ve not imported new animals, which is one of the reasons beef prices are up, but we are looking now to figure out how to start reopening ports. I think we’ve gotten our arms around exactly what the problem is,” she says. “We’re building out new sterile fly facilities, which is the only way we eradicated it 30 to 40 years ago, but we have a really good system in place.”

Rollins shares collaborations with international counterparts are stronger, creating an unprecedented partnership with Mexican authorities to manage and preempt future animal agriculture outbreaks effectively. Enhanced border protocols, including disinfection and ivermectin treatments for imports, underscore a commitment to protecting livestock health.

“I feel confident that we are aggressively attacking all pieces of NWS,” she says.

What Does the MAHA Movement’s Mean for Dairy?
The “Make America Healthy Again” movement aims to revamp the nation’s food system, and Rollins offers reassurance dairy products at the forefront.

“Health care costs too much. We’re not getting the care we need, especially to vulnerable populations. How do we fix that?” she asks. “Over the last year, it is completely flipped to, what are Americans eating? What are we serving in our schools? What are we serving in our SNAP program, which 42 million Americans are on the food stamp program.”

While the current economic situation is troubling, Rollins is confident in the long-term potential for profitability and sustainability in the dairy industry.

“What milk, cheese and other dairy products mean as we completely and fundamentally shift our entire food system is our dairy industry is at the very front tip of the spear,” she says, noting the response markets are answering and the dairy industry, too, with the $11 billion in new processing plants, U.S. dairy is riding a wave of momentum that is fueled by consumer demand.

“In the long term, I’m not sure there is an agriculture industry that has more to gain and that will see more of a pivot toward real profitability and real sustainability than this [dairy] industry. I could not be more excited to help lead on that,” she says.

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Preparing for the Battle Continues: USDA Shares Screwworm Update and Releases NWS Playbook

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 17:31:56 GMT

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins shared a New World screwworm update on X Sunday night.

“First and most important — No new cases have been detected in the last seven days in Mexican states bordering the United States,” Rollins says. “USDA and our partners continue to lead an aggressive response to New World screwworm (NWS). This is a national security threat, and it has the full attention of the Trump administration.”

Updates Rollins shared included:

Dispersing 100 million sterile flies per week in Mexico produced at the COPEG facility with more than 40 dispersal flights throughout Southern Mexico per week.
“USDA closely monitors the locations of detections in Mexico and ensures shipments of sterile insects and release chambers are routed to the locations of the latest detections for dispersal,” she says.
Inspecting wild or feral animals for NWS infestation as part of wildlife management activities in Texas, with more than 1,670 animals inspected to date.
Working with Mexico on trapping and surveillance.
“USDA staff have confirmed 7,885 total confirmed NWS cases in southern Mexico, an increase of 838 cases since Oct. 2,” Rollins reports. “There have been zero detections in border states since Oct. 5.”
Construction update: The NWS Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility at Moore Air Base will open in early 2026. This facility will allow USDA to disperse 300 million sterile flies weekly at the border and in northern Mexico.

NWS Playbook Released

Rollins says on Friday USDA hosted a call with more than 200 state partners and stakeholders to release the new USDA NWS Response Playbook .

“This playbook reflects our current approach and response if we ever have a confirmed positive NWS in the USA,” Rollins explains. “We want our state and industry partners to continue to provide feedback on ways to make the playbook even stronger.”

Industry stakeholders can provide feedback and suggestions regarding the playbook to FAD.PReP.Comments@usda.gov.

🚨 𝐍𝐖𝐒 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄 🚨

FIRST and most important — No new cases have been detected in the last 7 days in Mexican states bordering the United States.@USDA and our partners continue to lead an aggressive response to New World Screwworm (NWS). This is a national security threat…
— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) October 20, 2025

Playbook Highlights

According the playbook, the phases of the response include:

Preparedness — planning, organizing, training, equipping, exercising, evaluating and taking corrective action to ensure effective coordination during an outbreak response.
Confirmation, or NWS establishment in the U.S. due to NWS myiasis in warm-blooded animals or detection of NWS fly.
Containment, or preventing the spread of NWS in early stages of infestation through measures such as early detection, quarantines and movement requirements, sterile insect technique (SIT) and surveillance to reduce spread in domestic animals and wildlife.
Mitigation, or minimizing the outbreak impact, by reducing the geographic extent of the affected area to reduce strain on resources, achieved largely through quarantines and movement requirements, SIT and surveillance, and constant evaluation of impacted areas.
Control, or demonstrating infestation is being mitigated based on epidemiology and surveillance.
Eradication, or demonstrating freedom from NWS in previously affected areas.

If NWS is found in the U.S., USDA APHIS Veterinary Services will provide guidance, support, resources and coordination during an outbreak. The approaches and tools included in the playbook reflect USDA APHIS guidance and aim to provide a practical framework to rapidly focus on priority activities. Tools and resources will be updated regularly as new guidance on NWS is released.

Managing an NWS Response: Key Activities

(USDA APHIS)

The playbook includes eight key response activities:

Effectively manage a coordinated response and communications with stakeholders and the public
Reduce spread to non-infested animals and prevent NWS from establishing in new areas
Manage NWS on infested premises
Implement NWS surveillance and management strategies in wildlife
Implement NWS fly surveillance and management strategies
Maintain continuity of business (COB)
Ensure information flow and management
Identify and maintain resource requirements

To learn more about the playbook, visit the New World Screwworm Emergency Response website.

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Breaking Down the 4 Biggest Challenges Facing the Ag Economy

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:15:37 GMT

Farm Journal’s Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, an anonymous survey sent to nearly 70 ag economists each month, shows growing concern about the farm economy. “AgriTalk” host Chip Flory breaks down the latest results, pointing to four key findings.

1. Recession Calls Hit a Survey High

A record 91% of ag economists now say the farm economy is in a recession. That’s the highest level since the survey began, fueled by record input costs while commodity prices remain depressed. Still, about 10% pushed back, arguing that as long as farmland values hold strong, agriculture’s store of wealth remains intact and technically keeps the sector out of a recession.

“Basically what they’re saying is that we’re not going to be in a recession until we see land prices start to pull back,” Flory explains. “That’s where agriculture stores its wealth. As long as those land prices hold up … we are not going to be in a recession as long as that store of wealth remains safe.”

91% of ag economists say the crops sector of agriculture is currently experiencing a recession, which is a survey high.

(September Ag Economists’. Monthly Monitor )

2. Bleak Outlook for 2026

46% of ag economists say the economy situation is “somewhat worse off” compared to last month and 27% say it’s “much worse off” compared to last year.

(Lindsey Pound, September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor )

While opinions about the next 12 months are mixed — 50% expect some improvement, 30% think it will worsen — the longer-term picture is troubling. Economists expect 2026 corn and soybean crops to be breakeven at best, with potential losses of up to $200 per acre.

“The expectations on the ’26 crops are that, at best, it’s going to be breakeven on corn and soybeans,” Flory says. “There’s expectations for losses up to $200 an acre among the survey respondents … We’ve drained a lot of working capital out of the industry already. And it’s really going to get tight in 2026 if this continues.”

Results from the latest Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor

(Lindsey Pound, Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor )

3. Soybean Exports Under Pressure

Economists see U.S. soybean demand as vulnerable. USDA currently projects 1.705 billion bushels in exports, but survey respondents say that’s a best-case scenario. Some expect exports could fall below 1.4 billion bushels, a 300-million-bushel drop that could be catastrophic.

“China is obviously doing everything that it possibly can to avoid buying U.S. soybeans,” Flory says. “The current USDA export estimate … is a best-case scenario that the economists expect. Some see it all the way down under 1.4 billion bushels. To take another 300 million bushels off of bean export demand might be catastrophic.”

There are still a majority of economists who think China will still buy soybeans from the U.S. this year, with 54% responding “yes.”

Even though China has bought zero new crop soybean cargoes from the U.S., more than half of economists still think China will come to the table in 2025.

(Lindsey Pound, September Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor )

4. Screwworm Detection Near Border Raises Concerns Over Mexican Cattle Imports

This week, New World screwworm was detected just 70 miles from the U.S.–Mexico border, sparking renewed debate over cattle imports and whether USDA should keep the border closed to live cattle imports.

In the September Farm Journal Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor, economists were asked: Should the U.S. reopen its border to cattle imports from Mexico? Eighty percent said no.

91% of ag economists say the crops sector of agriculture is currently experiencing a recession, which is a survey high.

(September Ag Economists’. Monthly Monitor )

Their concern is the risk of screwworm spreading to U.S. herds.

“It’s important we continue to protect the health of our beef herd. Screwworm could have a devastating effect,” said one economist.
“Each day of delay [on reopening the border] gives more time to develop effective treatments/response,” was another response.

With the U.S. cattle herd already at a 75-year low, screwworm infestations can cause massive losses in livestock, threatening both animal health and, according to economists, the ag economy.

The Bright Spot: Beef Demand Stays Strong

There is a bright spot. Despite record-high retail prices, which economists thought would taper the hunger for U.S. beef, beef demand is holding firm. Two-thirds of economists say beef demand is inelastic, meaning consumers keep buying even as prices rise.

Even with record retail beef prices, the majority of ag economists say beef demand is proving to be inelastic.

(Lindsay Pound, Ag Economsits’ Monthly Monitor )

“It’s quality. Quality is a big part of the reason why,” Flory says. “We’ve done an unbelievable job responding to consumer demands to put choice and prime beef in the meat case … Consumers recognize the improvement in quality, and they’re responding by continuing to buy beef. The other thing is … high protein diets. That is a real thing that we need to adjust to, not only in beef, but in pork too.”

You can see the full results of the latest Monthly Monitor here .

Human Case of New World Screwworm Confirmed in Maryland

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:43:47 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday reported a human New World screwworm (NWS) case.

The case, investigated by the Maryland Department of Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was confirmed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Aug. 4, and involved a patient who returned from travel to El Salvador, HHS spokesman Andrew G. Nixon said in an email to Reuters.

Gabriel Alvarado, CDC spokesperson, confirms the email saying, “CDC, in coordination with the Maryland Department of Health, investigated a confirmed case of travel-associated New World screwworm in a patient who returned from travel to El Salvador. The case was confirmed by CDC through telediagnosis (i.e., expert review of submitted larvae images) on Aug. 4, 2025.”

In response to the confirmation, USDA shared a statement : “In support of CDC’s activities and out of an abundance of caution, USDA initiated targeted surveillance for NWS within a 20-mile radius of the affected area, encompassing portions of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. To date, all trap results have been negative for NWS. There have been no detections of NWS in the U.S. in livestock or other animals since the last outbreak of NWS in the Florida Keys was resolved in 2017.”

Reuters reported on Sunday evening that a person who had traveled to the U.S. from Guatemala was confirmed as receiving treatment in Maryland for NWS.

“The risk to public health in the United States from this introduction is very low,” Nixon said.

State veterinarians learned of the human case during a call last week with the CDC.

The exact dates of travel and arrival in U.S. are not confirmed at this time.

South Dakota State Veterinarian Beth Thompson, who was quoted in the story, says when CDC officials confirmed it was NWS, CDC worked with local physicians and dealt with the larva. She says there has been no livestock movement control put into place because of the case.

Thompson says NWS is endemic in some Central American countries.

This is not the first case of a U.S. traveler being infect with NWS. According to a CDC Resurgence of NWS Update webinar :

In 2014, a woman in her mid-20s returned from a beachside resort in the Dominican Republic where she fell asleep on the beach one night. Pain started in her ear the next day and it was discovered she had NWS when she got back to the U.S.
In 2023, a mid-60s male traveled to Argentina and Brazil with a fresh surgical wound on his cheek. NWS entered through his wound and he received treatment for larvae infestation once he returned to the U.S.
In 2024, an individual spent approximately seven days in the Dominican Republic. This individual was immunosuppressed due to a previous case of cancer in their nose. Once the individual arrived back in the U.S., 100 to 150 larvae were surgically removed from their nose.

Two other cases include a 15-year-old girl when she returned from a three-week hiking trip to Peru and a 12-year-old girl who had been on a church mission to Palmira, Colombia .

USDA also confirmed it was not the first case saying, “There have been previous instances of traveler-associated cases of NWS in the United States in years past. In all cases, these instances were isolated and designated as closed after precautionary targeted surveillance in the vicinity was negative. We may continue to see traveler-associated cases of NWS and USDA, in coordination with HHS and CDC, will conduct targeted surveillance to ensure there is no active spread of NWS in the United States. This is not cause for alarm as human risk is low and we have seen several isolated cases in recent years that have not resulted in livestock transmission.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall, says, “NCBA is aware of a New World screwworm case detected in a person traveling from abroad into Maryland. The case was quickly identified and handled by the CDC in accordance with their protocols. Based on what has been shared with state animal health officials, we do not see any elevated risk to the livestock industry at this time. We appreciate the diligence of human health authorities. This case was quickly addressed thanks to existing protocols, and we are thankful for the ongoing coordination between the CDC, state departments of health, state animal health officials, and USDA.”

As more details are available, we will update this story.

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