Integrity Beef Alliance

A free New World screwworm inspector training is now available to all Texans through AgriLife Learn.

The course covers New World screwworm biology, inspection protocols, reporting and more, and is open to anyone who wants to better understand how to protect their animals. Those who qualify may apply to become a certified New World screwworm inspector through the Texas Animal Health Commission.

Learn about the course at tx.ag/NWSTraining.

USDA confirms New World Screwworm in Zavala County, Texas close to La Pryor, TX.

U.S. CATTLE REPORT 🚨 USDA Confirms First New World Screwworm Case in the United States 🚨

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of New World screwworm (NWS) in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, marking the first confirmed U.S. case. The larvae were found in the calf's umbilical area, and no additional cases have been detected to date. New World screwworm is a serious pest whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, posing risks to livestock, pets, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans.

In response, USDA and Texas animal health officials have activated their NWS Response Playbook and are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate the pest. Measures include establishing a 20-kilometer quarantine zone around the detection site, increasing surveillance and trapping efforts, deploying additional sterile screwworm flies, implementing wildlife monitoring programs, and forming a unified incident command team. USDA emphasized that the U.S. food supply remains safe, as screwworm does not infest meat products and any affected animals would be identified during federal meat inspection. Officials also urged livestock producers and pet owners in the region to monitor animals closely for signs of infestation and report any suspected cases immediately.

Thursday Industry Insight: Cow Nutrient Requirements
Salvetti D’Ascoli – KRIRM Graduate Student

With spring calving just around the corner, it is essential to focus on the cowherd’s nutrition as they approach their greatest nutrient requirements. One of the first steps in developing a feeding plan is to know exactly what you are feeding. This could include knowing the differences in nutritional requirements for various stages and classes of cattle, or the nutrient content of the feedstuffs fed. The crucial factor is knowing exactly how much the cattle weigh to accurately feed and prevent wasting money by overfeeding. An article from Oklahoma State University Extension states that between 42-52% of cow-calf enterprise costs can be attributed to grazing and feeding/supplementation (Lalman, Holder, 2024). Recognizing that this is a large cost center, producers should design the most economically cost-effective and nutrient-dense nutrition strategy possible, especially during calving and lactation.

As spring calving approaches, it's important to consider how dry matter intake relative to body weight varies by stage of lactation—late gestation, early lactation, and late lactation—whether cattle are grazing or fed hay. For a diet consisting of low-quality forage, the expected values would be 1.5% of body weight (BW) during late gestation, 2.5% BW during early lactation, and 2.25% BW during late lactation. Growing heifers should gain 1.0-1.5 lbs. per day to achieve a higher percentage of mature bodyweight before their first calf. One effective strategy to support this growth is to increase protein supplementation to encourage dry matter intake of low-quality forages.

Protein requirements for running-age cows become important as they get into the final trimester, when two-thirds of fetal growth occurs. Increasing a cow's protein intake at this stage will help ensure she is in optimal condition as she approaches calving and lactation. It is essential to meet both energy and protein requirements during the last trimester to prevent any loss of body condition. Lactating cows will require nearly double the amount of protein as a dry cow, which is understandable given the milk she produces – averaging around 25 lbs./d – contains a significant amount of protein. Ensuring the nutritional needs are met during lactation is just as important as in the third trimester, as it helps maintain the cow’s body condition and supports successful rebreeding. Additionally, vitamin and mineral supplementation is a key component of nutrition to consider. Various informative charts, including those from the Beef Cattle NRC, detail the nutrient requirements for beef cattle.

In conclusion, prioritizing cow nutrition is essential, particularly during the final third of pregnancy and throughout lactation. This can be achieved through informed management decisions tailored to the cow’s specific environment.