Ag officials in the Upper Midwest are warning livestock producers not to ignore the threat of New World Screwworm.
Minnesota State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Hoefs told Brownfield Ag News many people falsely think the northern climate is a strong enough deterrent for tropical pests like NWS, but that’s not the case.
Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association executive director Kaitlyn Root tells Brownfield, producers need to pay attention.
“Stay focused on what’s going on, even though it’s in Mexico currently. That seems like it’s really far away, but we know how cattle movements work. And we will be affected by this, especially if the screwworm is able to make it to the United States and cattle movements stop or look different.”
Hoefs says summers in the Upper Midwest are warm enough to allow NWS to complete its lifecycle and potentially spread.
