{"id":213270,"date":"2026-06-10T04:06:58","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T04:06:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/new-world-screwworm-news-stirs-cattle-markets-not-meat-supply-agrilife-today\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T04:06:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T04:06:58","slug":"new-world-screwworm-news-stirs-cattle-markets-not-meat-supply-agrilife-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/quixnet.net\/wpinstance\/new-world-screwworm-news-stirs-cattle-markets-not-meat-supply-agrilife-today\/","title":{"rendered":"New World screwworm news stirs cattle markets, not meat supply – AgriLife Today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Texas A&M AgriLife's digital magazine and newsroom
June 9, 2026<\/span> – by Kay Ledbetter<\/a><\/span>
While the fed cattle futures market reacted and eventually the cash market might react to news of the New World screwworm\u2019s arrival in the United States, nothing has changed with the quality or quantity of the meat supply, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service<\/a> economist.
While the New World screwworm can infest any warm-blooded animal, including humans on occasion, the overall message is it does not affect meat.
\u201cThis is something to learn about, be aware of, but this isn’t anything to panic about,\u201d said David Anderson, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agricultural economist and professor in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<\/a> Department of Agricultural Economics<\/a>. \u201cThis isn\u2019t a beef or pork or chicken consumption or meat problem at all. The animals can be treated and survive if it is caught early, and it doesn\u2019t affect the meat whatsoever.\u201d
The fed beef cattle futures market reacted immediately, Anderson said, dropping some and then going back up quite a bit, before dropping again.
\u201cI think that\u2019s what a lot of us expected, that once an announcement happened about screwworm being found in the United States, we\u2019d see volatility in the future\u2019s market \u2013 that\u2019s just kind of how the futures market works,\u201d he said.
A week after the announcement, futures for fed cattle are down to $229 per hundredweight compared to $250 per hundredweight in the futures market prior to the screwworm finding, Anderson said.
It is too early to tell the effect on the cash market, whether that is feedlot cattle headed to a packer or calves marketed at sale barns across the state, he said.
Fundamentally, though, Anderson said, nothing has really changed.
\u201cWe still have the smallest cow herd since 1961, we\u2019re producing less beef than we did last year, and we continue to have very good consumer demand for beef,\u201d he said. \u201cWe still have tighter supplies of beef, but we have more cattle on feed than we did a year ago.\u201d
In the normal beef market, Anderson said, this time of year \u2013 \u201cgrilling season<\/a>\u201d \u2013 tends to see some increasing beef production relative to April and May or the springtime, but there\u2019s still less than a year ago.
The retail beef market has already seen record prices, and this recent announcement shouldn\u2019t affect near-term supplies of beef, Anderson said.
\u201cPrices are going to stay high,\u201d he said. \u201cBut typically, retail prices for beef tend to level off and decline after the middle of the year after we get past the grilling season rush. I don\u2019t think this should have any effect on retail prices.\u201d
Producers should focus management practices on herd protection — treat wounds as a preventative measure, monitor for signs of larvae, work with local veterinarians to address any New World screwworm infestations and report the case so that the U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/a> can drop sterile flies in the area to mitigate the potential for additional cases.
\u201cPractice good animal husbandry and lean on your local vet if you need to treat an infestation,\u201d Anderson said. \u201cThese are going to be difficult times for our livestock and wildlife producers — it is an important pest from the past \u2013 but we\u2019ve dealt with it before and we know how treat it and how to eradicate it.\u201d
He reiterated producers should not just look at their cattle, but all animals, including horses and pets, as all warm-blooded mammals are susceptible.
\u201cPay a little closer attention to them all,\u201d he said.
Stay up to date on the latest expertise offered by Texas A&M AgriLife<\/a> at tx.ag\/screwworm<\/a>.
Some rainfall, up to a half inch reported in some areas, was received across portions of the district, but other areas remained dry. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions ranged from very short to adequate across the district. Rain came at a critical time as wheat and oat fields approached final seed fill and maturity. The moisture also benefited recently planted corn, cotton and sorghum. Wheat harvest was underway in some areas but was delayed by the wet conditions. Forage choppers continued harvesting late-planted small grains for silage, and some small grain acres were being cut and swathed for hay. Pasture and rangeland remained in very poor to fair condition overall, though rangelands showed some early improvement where rain fell. Supplemental feeding of cattle was slowing in areas that received moisture, and livestock conditions ranged from very poor to good across the district.
Widespread rainfall events brought much-needed moisture across the district with totals ranging from 0.5-4 inches depending on location. Multiple counties reported up to 2 inches of rainfall, but some areas remained extremely dry and received only isolated, insufficient showers. The precipitation was beneficial for recently planted cotton and gave the corn crop a significant boost as well. Producers worked to complete plantings between rain events. Cotton planting was still in full swing as deadlines approached. Peanut planting was nearing completion, with early-planted peanuts beginning to sprout. Sorghum was in good shape in areas that received adequate rain, with much of it already emerged. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to excellent across the district, improving where rains fell but still declining in drier pockets. Livestock conditions were variable, ranging from very poor to excellent, with cattle in areas with moisture showing noticeable improvement. Stock tanks benefited from the rain.
Scattered and highly variable rainfall moved through the district during the week, with amounts ranging from less than 1 inch to 5 inches in localized areas. The moisture improved topsoil conditions, though subsoil levels lagged in the drier western portions. Feed grains benefited from the timely rains, and cotton planting continued with producers taking advantage of a narrowing planting window. Sorghum fields looked good. Sudan grass planting increased following the rains, and producers were hopeful for additional moisture to help summer crops get off to a strong start. Wheat harvest was largely complete or winding down, with average yields reported in some areas. Some crops showed drought stress. Pasture and rangeland conditions varied widely, from very poor to excellent, with eastern portions of the district showing the best improvement. Livestock conditions ranged from very poor to excellent, with conditions notably better where grazing remained plentiful and hay production was active. Livestock supplementation continued in drier areas, but culling and early weaning of calves slowed.
Rainfall was widespread and substantial across much of the district, with totals ranging from 1-5 inches. The heaviest amounts created saturated soils and prevented wheat harvest equipment from entering fields, while also slowing test weights on standing grain. Corn was in good to excellent condition across the district, with most fields fully emerged and silking, some advancing into early dough stage. Soybeans emerged and were progressing well, with blooming reported in some counties. Hessian fly damage was more visible in wheat fields as harvest approached. Sorghum was planted across most of the district and in good condition. Blackberries and figs were weeks from harvest. The peach fruit crop was poor and certain apple varieties looked average. Vegetable production continued with okra emerging, and tomato and bell pepper harvests underway. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from poor to excellent, with the best conditions in the eastern counties. Livestock were in fair to excellent condition, and feral hog activity was noted in some areas, particularly where the soil remained moist.
Scattered to locally heavy rainfall continued across the district, with totals ranging from trace amounts to more than 5 inches in some locations. Soil moisture ranged from very short to surplus across the district, reflecting the uneven rainfall distribution. Temperature highs were in the 80s and 90s. Pastures were green and growing, and hay production was active but delayed as producers struggled to find enough consecutive dry days to cut, dry and bale forage. Producers were fertilizing fields and managing weeds where weather allowed. Livestock were in fair to excellent condition overall, with ample grazing available. Cattle markets softened for some classes. Feeder calf prices were lower at one sale barn following news of New World screwworm detections in Texas, while slaughter cow markets held firm.
Rainfall continued across portions of the district. Some areas received around 1.5 inches or more during the week, while far western locations saw only light precipitation. Soil moisture levels were adequate to surplus. High temperatures returned toward the end of the week. In the eastern portions of the district, rain allowed cotton planting to move toward completion. Corn emerged and was beginning to tassel in irrigated fields, and sorghum was progressing well where moisture was available. Watermelons were vining but running behind schedule due to cool, wet conditions. Melon harvest began in the Pecos area, and onion harvest was approaching. Irrigation from Rio Grande water deliveries supported cotton, pecan and alfalfa production in the El Paso area. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to fair across the district, with improvement noted where rainfall was sufficient. Hay grazer was planted. Livestock conditions ranged from poor to good, and supplemental feeding continued in drier areas.
Rainfall was variable across the district, with some areas recording 5-7 inches while others received less than 1 inch. Stock tanks filled in the wettest areas. Hay cutting and baling moved forward where conditions allowed. Producers noted that much of the forage needed additional drying time. Haygrazer and sorghum looked good following the rains. Pecan prospects were described as the best in several years. Wheat harvest was essentially complete, though quality was disappointing in some locations where late-season sprouting occurred. Cotton planting continued, with producers working to get acres in the ground amid a closing window and intermittent rainfall. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from poor to excellent, with the best conditions in the wetter central and southern portions of the district. Livestock conditions ranged from poor to excellent, with cows in excellent shape in the areas that received the most moisture.
Hot, humid and wet conditions prevailed across much of the district, with rainfall totals ranging from less than 1 inch in the driest spots to 7-9 inches in other areas. Severe flooding caused cattle losses and crop damage in some areas. Corn was in good to excellent condition across most of the district, with most fields silking and many advancing into the dough stage, though low-lying waterlogged areas showed plant stress and losses. Cotton was progressing in warmer and sunnier weather and was squaring in several counties, but some fields showed stress from excessive moisture. Producers were managing weeds and fleahoppers in fields. Wheat harvest was wrapping up, with yields ranging from fair to good; oat yields were below average in many areas. Sorghum was in good to excellent condition and well advanced, with many fields headed. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from very poor to excellent, reflecting uneven rainfall distribution. Second cuttings of hay were expected to be excellent in many areas. Pasture mealybug infestations were reported in multiple counties and were a growing concern for forage producers. Livestock were in fair to excellent condition across the district. Stock tanks were full.
Wet and humid conditions continued across the district, with rainfall ranging from 0.5-4 inches. Soils were broadly saturated, which made access to hay fields difficult, limiting hay cuttings despite strong forage growth. Summer forage production was ramping up as temperatures increased, and pasture and rangeland conditions were fair to excellent. Rice was flooded and progressing well, with fields ranging from emergence through early heading. Corn was in fair to excellent condition, with most fields silking or advancing into dough stage. Livestock were in fair to excellent condition overall. Reports of pasture mealybug continued to increase across the district.
Continued rainfall brought hot and humid conditions to much of the district, with precipitation totals ranging from trace amounts up to 2 inches. Some locations recorded multiple rain events through the week. Pasture and rangeland conditions continued to improve. Hay production was active, with Sudan and Bermuda grass hay being cut and baled between showers in several counties, though frequent rain delayed some operations. Corn was in fair to excellent condition and into silking and dough stages. Cotton was planted and squaring, with generally good to excellent conditions where moisture was adequate. Sorghum was planted, headed and performing well. Oat harvest was largely complete. Livestock conditions ranged from very poor to excellent across the district and continued to improve overall with better forage availability. Producers were taking precautionary steps related to the New World screwworm threat, with some small ruminant producers modifying management practices accordingly. Pasture mealybug was also reported in multiple counties and was being monitored closely.
Wet conditions persisted across the district, with some areas receiving over 4 inches of rainfall during the week. Cotton was planted across most of the district and squaring in several counties, but prolonged wetness created concerns about yellowing and potential stand losses in the low-lying fields. Some late-planted acres could require replanting. Corn ranged from fair to excellent condition and was advancing through silking and dough stages. Rice was developing well, with fields ranging from emergence through panicle initiation. Sorghum was broadly planted and headed in most areas. Hay harvest was halted by rain but was expected to resume when drier conditions allowed. The first cutting had been completed in some counties, with strong prospects for a second cutting. Pasture and rangeland conditions ranged from poor to excellent and continued to improve with the regular moisture. Pasture mealybug had spread to all parts of one county and was reported as one of the most serious forage pest situations in recent memory. Livestock were in fair to excellent condition overall, contending with increased fly and mosquito pressure alongside the broader New World screwworm concerns.
Hot, humid conditions with scattered to locally heavy rainfall characterized the week, with totals ranging from trace amounts to more than 5 inches. Temperatures reached 100 degrees. Localized flooding was reported, with standing water in some row crop fields. Cotton was planted across the district and some fields were already squaring. Pest pressure from fleahoppers, tarnished plant bugs and whiteflies required active management. Corn was advancing through silking and dough stages, and most grain sorghum was heading or beginning to change color as it matured. Peanut planting was in full swing in several counties, and cantaloupe and potato harvests were underway. Vegetable crops were in good condition. Range and pasture conditions continued to improve across the district, with excellent conditions reported in several counties and grasses responding well to the consistent moisture. Hay cutting was delayed in several counties as producers waited for a break in the weekly rain pattern. Pasture mealy bugs were reported, and producers were monitoring pastures. Supplemental feeding of cattle was minimal as forage remained plentiful, and livestock markets were reported as strong to steady. New World screwworm detections in the district prompted significant producer concern. Some producers were modifying livestock management practices in response to the threat.<\/p>\n

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