paulgrecaud / Depositphotos.com
(Maple Plain, MN) — Agriculture officials in the Upper Midwest are warning livestock producers not to overlook the threat of New World Screwworm, a devastating pest that could impact regional herds. Despite its tropical origins, experts say the pest could survive in the region’s summer climate.
Kaitlyn Root of the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association says producers need to stay alert—even though current outbreaks are in Mexico. Root warns, “We will be affected—especially if screwworm reaches the U-S and cattle movements stop or look different.”