Tidbits, Corn Market Comment, Screwworm, Wheat & Weather, Broilers & Ethanol 6/4/26
- Wright team
- Jun 4
- 4 min read
Tidbits
New World screwworm has been found and confirmed in a calf in Texas, the USDA said on Wednesday evening, exposing the nation's cattle herd to a serious new threat.
That screw worm contributed to yesterday’s late weakness in corn.
The U.S. typically imports over a million cattle from Mexico every year. The import suspension contributed to rising beef prices by tightening the supply of beef cattle. An expansive U.S. outbreak would further tighten the supply.
The U.S. had eradicated the pest nationwide in 1966 with the last major cases in the early 1980s in some reports. The Florida Keys in 2016 had deer and some other wildlife infested, likely from nearby endemic areas like Cuba.
After decades of eradication, most cattle ranchers no longer have the experience or tools to diagnose and treat screwworm. Infestations can be cured, but treatment involves removing hundreds of larvae and thoroughly disinfecting wounds, a time-consuming, pricey and labor-intensive process.
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