DATCP Resources on New World Screwworm

Check out these online resources to help stay aware and ahead of New World Screwworm (NWS).

New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax/NWS) is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue. After being eradicated from the U.S. in 1966, NWS has re‑emerged in Central America and Mexico. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), NWS has been detecte​d in​ the U.S. and in animals near the U.S.-Mexico border. USDA is working with affected states to respond with sterile fly releases, surveillance, and movement controls. At this time, NWS has not been detected in Wisconsin. 

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Mexican Cattle Trade Set to Resume Under Phased USDA Reopening In August

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle and feeder cattle futures fell sharply Monday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced late last week that it would begin reopening the border to Mexican cattle imports.

The USDA suspended imports more than a year ago in an effort to prevent the spread of New World screwworm, a destructive livestock pest. That move further tightened already limited U.S. cattle supplies and contributed to record-high beef prices.

According to an online post, USDA said the phased reopening would allow cattle imports to gradually resume, with as many as 80,000 head per month eventually expected to enter the United States.

"We will soon safely deliver cattle imports to the states, with estimates of up to 80k head per month through this phased-in approach," the agency said.

According to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the USDA states that the phased reopening of the southern livestock ports will begin on August 24, 2026, when the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry reopens to cattle shipments – provided that Mexico continues to meet the requirements outlined in the Joint Action Plan. At the same time, the agency will begin preparing for the eventual reopening of the Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, ports.

USDA officials emphasized that all animals entering the U.S. through designated ports will receive a thorough inspection to ensure they show no signs of New World screwworm (NWS).

“Protecting the United States from NWS and pushing this pest out of Mexico and back to the Darien Gap is a top priority at USDA and has the full attention of the Trump Administration,” Rollins said. “Closing the southern ports over the past year was a difficult but necessary step to help contain the spread of NWS in Mexico and safeguard the U.S. livestock industry. Thanks to the work of federal, state and local agencies, along with support from industry partners, we’re now in a position to safely reopen the Douglas port and resume the long-standing flow of cattle across the border.”

From Wastewater Tracking to Tongue Samples: Six New Projects Target Swine Disease Monitoring and Mitigation

The Swine Health Information Center (SHIC), through a co-funding partnership with the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research, recently awarded funding for six projects to advance swine disease monitoring and mitigation capabilities. Aligning across both organizations’ priorities, these six projects help SHIC fulfill its mission to generate new intelligence and tools for preventing, preparing for and responding to emerging swine disease threats. Representing a total investment of $719,415, this public-private partnership enables leveraging of Pork Checkoff dollars awarded to SHIC through a 1:1 match from FFAR to maximize swine health research initiatives.

Newly funded projects address SHIC’s research priorities, including enhanced integration of production and disease monitoring data, mitigation strategies for airborne diseases, development of novel tools and sample types for improved African swine fever virus detection including recombinant strains, and the evaluation of swine wastewater as a novel diagnostic sample type for detection of emerging diseases. Funding timely research enables SHIC to provide project outcomes that drive action for emerging disease prevention, preparedness, mitigation, and response for the US swine industry. Actionable data from project outcomes will be shared with pork industry stakeholders as soon as information becomes available.

These six new projects were initiated between November 2025 and June 2026, spanning 12 months in duration, and are being conducted at three institutions in the US and Canada. Research outcomes from the funded projects will provide critical information and resources to help pork producers as they face emerging disease challenges in their swine herds.

Authenticity Wins In Born To Dairy Campaign 

Ad Age named the “Born to Dairy” campaign by Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin to its list of “13 Creative Campaigns to Know About Today.” The honor places the group alongside major American brands like Pepsi, Verizon, Etsy, and White Castle. Specifically, Ad Age recognized the campaign for putting real farm families at the center of the narrative.

Breaking Through a Crowded Media Landscape

For Wisconsin’s dairy industry, this award means more than just a creative victory. It proves that authentic stories about dairy farmers can break through today’s crowded media landscape. Consequently, these narratives strengthen the bond between consumers, dairy products, and local producers.

“What started as a marketing campaign has become a movement that has united an entire state around dairy,” said Suzanne Fanning, Chief Marketing Officer at Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin and campaign creator. “This acknowledgment from Ad Age is exciting because it validates something our farmers have always known: the people behind Wisconsin dairy are our greatest strength. When consumers see the faces, hear the stories and understand the passion behind the products they love, they build a deeper connection to dairy.”

Real People Behind America’s Dairyland

Creators based the “Born to Dairy” campaign on a simple premise. Wisconsin dairy farmers serve as the most compelling ambassadors for their own industry. Therefore, instead of focusing strictly on merchandise, the advertisements celebrate the personalities, traditions, innovation, and dedication of local farm families.

Equity Cooperative Livestock Sales Association

WLIC | Toll-Free: 88Like8-808-1910 | Fax: 608-848-4702 | jlegge@wiid.org | www.wiid.org