344: Screwworm Confirmed in Texas… Should Cattle Producers Be Worried? with John Campbell

On today’s episode of the podcast, Lauren is joined by John Campbell to discuss the breaking news that a case of New World Screwworm has officially been confirmed in South Texas. John breaks down what we know so far, what this means for cattle producers, how the USDA is responding, and why consumers should not panic about the safety of the beef supply. The conversation covers the biology of screwworm, the challenges large ranches may face if infestations spread, potential market reactions, and the importance of communicating accurate information as news of the confirmation continues to circulate across the country. As always, John brings his unique mix of insight, humor, and straight talk to one of the biggest cattle industry stories of the year.Links:CattleUSA Insurance - https://info.cattleusainsurance.com/l/1102253/2025-06-04/288f5m⁠CattleUSA Website - https://www.cattleusa.com/CattleUSA App IOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/cattleusa/id1673147759CattleUSA App Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edgarmcbee.cusamobile&pcampaignid=web_shareFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/cattleusamediaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/cattleusa.media/Subscribe to our newsletter - https://www.cattleusa.shop/products/cattleusa-drive-premium-daily-newsletter?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&brid=YWdncwFNXt0EmdzFy5cJJBp84J9gCattleUSA Media - https://www.cattleusamedia.com/Lauren’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/_laurenmoylan/Lauren’s Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ShowboatmediacoThe Next Generation Podcast Website - https://www.thenextgenag.com/Key Takeaways: A New World Screwworm case has been confirmed in South TexasThe confirmed case involves a single calf near the Texas-Mexico borderUSDA has implemented a quarantine zone and continues sterile fly releasesScrewworm is a serious concern for cattle producers, especially large ranching operationsScrewworm is not a food safety issue and does not impact beef qualityConsumers do not need to be concerned about beef products entering the food supplyLarge ranches with extensive grazing systems face greater management challengesIvermectin and other parasite control tools remain important prevention measuresMarket reaction will depend largely on media coverage and producer perceptionChapters:02:00 Weekly cattle market update06:00 Breaking news: Screwworm confirmed in Texas08:00 What producers need to know right now10:00 Understanding the screwworm life cycle12:00 Why screwworm is not a food safety issue15:00 John Campbell's "Screwworm for Dummies" segment18:00 Challenges facing large ranches and cow-calf operations20:00 USDA response and sterile fly program22:00 How producers can protect their herds24:00 Potential cattle market implications26:00 Communicating with consumers and avoiding misinformationnew world screwworm, screwworm confirmed in Texas, Texas cattle industry, cattle market news, John Campbell, cattle producers, beef industry, livestock health, USDA screwworm response, sterile fly program, Texas ranching, cattle parasites, cattle disease management, cattle market update, livestock producers, cow calf operations, beef production, food safety, cattle ranching, ivermectin cattle, livestock health concerns, cattle industry news, agriculture podcast, beef supply chain, cattle market reaction, ranch management, livestock disease prevention, cattle operation management, South Texas ranching, cattle producer resources, beef consumer education, cattle country news