America’s livestock industry is one of the most valuable components of the economy. Without farmlands, citizens wouldn’t have the essential foods they need to survive, nor the job opportunities to keep this industry afloat.
Because farming is so critical to a prosperous America, it is important to keep these lands safe. Whether that means clean water to sustain the area, or advanced technology to ease operations, farmers and ranchers today quite always have their hands full to ensure livestock remains the leader that it is.
And yet, while modern agriculture continues to strengthen our nation, oftentimes external challenges make the upkeep hard to maintain. In more recent cases, the rise of screwworm has made the farming industry especially vulnerable.
The current situation
New World Screwworms, or NWS, are parasitic flies whose larvae feed on the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, such as cattle. When the adult female lays eggs in open wounds or mucous membranes, the hatched larvae burrow into the tissues, which can cause death if left untreated. While they were first eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, screwworms recently made a comeback in Mexico, with cases creeping close to the U.S. border.
Since early October 2025, NWS cases continue to rise exponentially. Mexico recorded nearly 6.7K infestations this year, with over 5,000 of those confirmed in cattle. This is a significant increase since the start of the outbreak last year, and the U.S. government continues to monitor the numbers as screwworms move northward.
While to date, no confirmed infestation has been seen in the U.S. just yet, many experts warn that vigilance is essential. With the most common outbreaks occurring in animals, that means cattle face the consequences the hardest. And once they cross the U.S. borders, the rapid spread will be hard to contain.
The threat wouldn’t just involve weakened cattle and their farmlands either. With uncontrollable infestation also comes unstable supply chains, high inflation rates, malnutrition in humans, and lack of strong trade. Preventative measures are not just about protecting the livestock, but also about safeguarding the nation’s much-needed economy.
How farmers can prepare
NWS is spreading quickly, but many farmers and ranchers already have the tools and strategies to prepare early. For instance, regular cattle management and responsible treatment are the first practical steps available at their disposal. Keeping pastures clean and using repellents are other immediate ways to prevent introduction of screwworms.
Beyond the quick fixes, some farmers have also invested in advanced technology to keep farmlands healthy. For people like Andrew Coppin, CEO of Ranchbot, he says the key to prevention involves water monitoring solutions that can track water levels in real time so that cattle can stay protected.
“Our livestock, our economy, and our way of life depend on staying ahead of these threats with smart systems and proactive policy,” Coppin explains.
At the core, water monitoring systems can detect contamination, control water flow and pressure, and compile important data to signal potential risks to animal health. By adopting technology like this, farmers not only reduce the chance of attracting screwworms, but they avoid any other environmental risks from happening in the first place.
Collaboration with state and federal agricultural agencies are other actions ranchers can take now. Information-sharing networks allow farmers to stay ahead of emerging outbreaks and receive guidance on containment protocols. Many farmers can also stay active in heavy research, keeping them well-educated should screwworms come to fruition.
Action starts now
For all of America’s farmers, the screwworm worries could not be more pressing. While the outbreak feels distant right now, it is only a matter of when this will come.
Luckily, the resources today are offering hope for all those who might be impacted by the screwworm spread. Tools are more advanced, people are more aware, and communities are finding solutions to make ends meet.
If you are a farmer or rancher close to the U.S. borders, this is your moment to save our cattle today. Our American society depends on you to keep our economy from faltering.