Barzona-Bulletin-Spring-2026

From Our Association Secretary

New World Screwworm Continued from page 1

will still lay eggs. Over time, the relentless release of hundreds of millions of sterile flies eliminated the wild population in the United States. Strict control of livestock movement from af fected areas and visual animal inspection played a large role in limiting geographic spread, as the transport of infested animals to unaffected areas poses significant risk. Surveillance for adult flies using traps and/or bait was also a critical component to eradication. Early detection of adult flies in areas previously unaffected allowed for the targeted release of sterile flies before widespread infestation of livestock. In many ways, today’s response efforts mirror the 1960s campaign. However, the current sterile fly production capac ity is approximately 100 million flies per week – less than 20 percent of what officials estimate to be the current need. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has unveiled plans to expand production and distribution, but a meaningful increase in the number of available sterile flies is not expected until 2027. To reduce the risk of importing NWS, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins closed the southern U.S. border to animal movement in May 2025, and it remains closed. Officials in Mexico and the southern U.S. states have expanded sur veillance to guide strategic sterile fly placement, something particularly important given the current limited supply. To date, there have been no confirmed U.S. cases of NWS identified from the outbreak in Central America, although the sterile fly release perimeter was recently expanded to include parts of extreme southern Texas. Bottom Line for Producers • Historically proven eradication methods are being pursued to combat the NWS threat, including sterile fly production and release as well as enhanced surveillance programs. • Many climate could support NWS reproduction during the warmer months, but NWS overwintering is not a realistic threat. • Importing infested animals currently presents the greatest risk and strict adherence to animal movement regulations is essential. • Suspected cases of NWS in any species should be reported immediately to your veterinarian or state/federal officials. A key sign to look for are larvae feeding on living tissue. Note that larvae feeding on a dead carcass is not suggestive of NWS. • Additional

By Alecia Heinz, Golden Hz Farms, BBAA Secretary G reetings to everyone and best wishes for calving season! Here are a couple of reminders: 1. Please enter all cattle registrations and get them current. The BBAA has new owners who need their animals in their ownership in the system so they can start their own registrations. 2. The Barzona Breeders Association of America Annual Meet

ing is Sept. 17-19, 2026, in New Mexico. The website will be updated with more information as we get more details. Scan the QR code to learn more. Please register for the annual meeting, as the number of people attending may affect some of our options!

3. Rule changes are to be sent to me, via mail or email, 90 days before the annual meeting. Therefore, rule changes need to be postmarked or emailed no later than June 19, 2026, to be eligible. 4. Member billing statements and new membership packets will be coming out shortly. If you have any questions, please contact me at barzonabreeders@gmail.com . For Sale: bred heifers available in Iowa; bulls available in several locations. BB S ave T he D ate ! Barzona Breeders Association of America

Annual Meeting S ept . 17-19, 2026 A lamogordo , N ew M exico

resources containing more detailed information on the history, current out break status, clinical signs, and prevention or treatment of NWS can be found by scanning the QR codes or visiting these organization’s websites. BB

Hampton Cattle Company Breeding Purebred Barzona since 1973 Fertile Range Cattle Steve Hampton P.O. Box 134 • Kirkland, AZ 86332 (928) 899-4808

Nebraska Department of Agriculture

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Texas Animal Health Commission

COPEG

2 | BARZONA BULLETIN