June 25, 2026

ASI Continues Monitoring New World Screwworm Response

Sheep industry representatives continue to closely monitor the New World screwworm (NWS) situation, particularly the response to detections in Texas and New Mexico. ASI has been in regular communication with federal leaders at USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) regarding issues that have arisen since the first detection.



For details on how USDA APHIS is coordinating the NWS response, as well as information on control and prevention measures, view the USDA NWS Response Playbook. The publicly available document was developed with input from stakeholders across animal agriculture, including ASI.

As with any disease threat, states may implement additional movement restrictions for animals originating from areas where infestations have occurred. Many states have already enacted restrictions on livestock movements from affected zones. 

For details on current restrictions, visit www.interstatelivestock.com.



Some states now require animals from infested zones to be tagged prior to movement. If tagging, producers should be sure to spray the tag site with an approved product that contains 0.5% permethrin to kill and repel screwworm flies. FDA has released conditionally approved and authorized animal drug options for New World Screwworm here.

Current Status (as of June 25):

• 17 active cases
• 3 inactive cases
• Most recent detection: June 24, 2026

Bill Introduced To Fight New World Screwworm Threat

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez introduced a bipartisan bill Wednesday aimed at helping ranchers detect and respond to New World screwworm after confirmed cases in New Mexico and Texas.

The Protecting America’s Herds Act would allow Cooperative Extension agents to train personnel and producers on identifying, treating, managing, preventing and reporting New World screwworm. It would also allow extension agents to serve as livestock inspectors and train and hire additional inspectors. 

“For New Mexicans, the New World screwworm is not a distant problem. It’s here, right in our backyard,” Vasquez said in a statement. “That’s why I’m raising the alarm in Congress and leading a bipartisan effort to make sure lawmakers understand this isn’t just a New Mexico or Southwest issue — it’s a national threat to our food supply, our ranchers, and American families — and we need to respond now.” 

The legislation also calls for coordination with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, veterinarians, state animal health officials and Tribal agricultural programs. Funding would be prioritized for states and Tribal communities at higher risk of New World screwworm introduction or spread. 

ASI is working year-round to advance producer priorities across the country. Here’s what’s happening, what it means, and what’s next.

Senate Ag Committee Releases Farm Bill 2.0 Text

On Tuesday, June 23, the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry released its long-awaited farm bill text. The Senate’s text comes nearly two months after the House of Representatives passed H.R.7567 – Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.

Similarly to the House passed farm bill, the bill includes important provisions to strengthen trade promotion, conservation, research, and animal health that will benefit the livestock industry. The bill does not include controversial issues like Prop 12, E15, pesticide pre-emption, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program cost sharing, or direct producer payments. Of note for the American Sheep Industry, the bill includes language that directs USDA to conduct a feasibility study of a risk management product for lamb producers to protect our farmers and ranchers against market and input volatility. Up next, the Committee is expected to markup the Senate version of the farm bill during the July work period ahead of the August recess.

Senate Ag Appropriations Postponed Again 

This week, Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins postponed Committee markups for the second time, including the markup of the Agriculture, Rural Development, and Food and Drug Administration fiscal year 2027 bill. This was due to continued disagreements over topline spending, the “Anti-Weaponization Fund”, and Senate Republican absences. As for ASI priorities, ASI looks to the House bill which included maintained funding for the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station, the Scrapie Eradication Program and a $1,000,000 increase to U.S. Wildlife Services. Senator Collins is likely to try her hand again at marking up the Ag, FDA and other appropriations bills one more time before pivoting to a less traditional strategy which would likely include the Committee posting their appropriations bills as is and looking to the full Senate to pass a continuing resolution before the end of the 
fiscal year.

House Ag Committee Holds Hearing on the Farm Safety Net, Disaster and Conservation Programs

On Wednesday, June 24, the House Committee on Agriculture held a hearing to discuss the importance of the farm safety net, and disaster and conservation programs for farmers and ranchers. Republicans discussed the importance of these programs through the support of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, while Democrats expressed concern over decreased funding for social service programs and the equitable distribution of funds to small farmers. Additional topics discussed included Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs, the “One Farmer, One File” initiative, insurance for specialty crops, access to Technical Service Providers, and the Livestock Forage Disaster Program.

Your weekly snapshot of key market rates and reports (U.S. and global) to help you stay ahead of pricing and demand shifts.

Wool Markets Remain High Despite Slight Decrease

The EMI dropped slightly this week including decreases of -$0.36 to -$0.49 per pound clean for fine microns and gains of $0.09 to losses of -$0.11 for coarser microns. Despite some losses, the EMI has gained $5.57 cents since July 2025, a 71% increase over the year. 

About the EMI: The AWEX Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) is the key benchmark index of Australian wool auction prices and is widely used as a global wool market indicator.

Source: AWEX

LDP Payments Available This Week

Ungraded Wool, Grease Prices in $ Per Pound

Unshorn Pelts, Prices in $ Per Pelt

Note: Producers must visit their Farm Service Agency office and fill out the appropriate paperwork before the wool or unshorn lambs are sold to claim the Wool LDP (when available). 

USDA Weekly Sheep, Lamb, & Wool Market Summary

The report is generally updated on Friday afternoon.

ASI Wool Calculator

Adjust micron, yield and quality of wool percentage with ASI's Wool Calculator to estimate the value of your wool today, or the potential value of wool if genetics or management practices were changed.

June 26: The Black Sheep Gathering, email for more info: applecreekmerinos@gmail.com

June 30: New World Screwworm Special Webinar - Register here

July 15: Sheep & Goat Market Outlook Webinar: Register here

July 15-16: Georgia Solar Farm Summit, Athens, GA - More info 

July 16-18: 100 Years of Targhee Breed, Huron, SD - More info 

July 24: NSIP Center of the Nation Sale, Spencer, IA - More info

July 25: South Dakota Sheep Growers Yearling Ewe Sale, Huron SD - More info

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