Story perspectives

USDA Quarantines Texas, Deploys $100 M Sterile Fly Program

6/5/2026

Summary

USDA Enforces Quarantine

The USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed a screwworm in a calf June 3 2026 in La Pryor, Zavala County.
The USDA imposed a 12-mile quarantine and barred movement of animals.
Officials will release millions of sterile male flies in a program funded with $100 million.
The USDA estimates Texas could lose up to $1.8 billion, threatening its industry, while sterile-fly facilities open in Metapa, Mexico and Edinburg, Texas, with another slated for fall 2027.

Summary

USDA Deploys Aid

Feeder cattle futures jumped over 3% on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange after the Texas screwworm case.
The Meat Institute asked USDA to permit low-risk livestock shipments directly to slaughter despite the quarantine.
Elanco Animal Health’s share price hit a near-month high on June 3, prompting a rise in Zoetis.
USDA sent a plane with a treatment stockpile to South Texas as part of the emergency plan.

1 of 2

USDA Enforces Quarantine

The USDA and Texas Animal Health Commission confirmed a screwworm in a calf June 3 2026 in La Pryor, Zavala County.
The USDA imposed a 12-mile quarantine and barred movement of animals.
Officials will release millions of sterile male flies in a program funded with $100 million.
The USDA estimates Texas could lose up to $1.8 billion, threatening its industry, while sterile-fly facilities open in Metapa, Mexico and Edinburg, Texas, with another slated for fall 2027.

1 / 2