1. CRISPR-powered sterile flies could help eradicate New World screwworm
By Meghan Grebner
BrownfieldAgNews.com
July 7, 2026
Sterile flies are crucial as the cattle industry fights New World screwworm, and a new technology could be the key to eradicating the pest. Stephanie Gamez, the research and development lead for Agragene says the company's precision-guided sterile insect technique is a game changer. "It uses CRISPR gene editing," she says. "Pretty much we use this tool to sterilize insect males and also kill females."
St. Louis-based Agragene was one of 40 projects that received funding from the USDA's NWS Grand Challenge launched earlier this year.
She tells Brownfield traditional sterile fly methods use radiation. "It works, but it's not that great," she says. "Why? Because it affects the health of the insect. You need these insects to be healthy enough to go out there and mate, and to put a halt into the mating cycle."
Matt Helms, marketing lead, says Agragene's technique enables the production of healthy, sterile male flies. "The other piece from our technology is they live a certain lifespan and there's no opportunity for any genetic transfer in the environment," he says.
2. Texas Ag Commissioner Urges FDA to Approve Feed-Based Ivermectin for Screwworm Fight
By DRG Media Group News
July 7, 2026
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is urging the Food and Drug Administration to authorize ivermectin in medicated livestock feed as the New World screwworm continues spreading across Texas.
Miller says while the FDA recently approved injectable ivermectin for emergency use, feed-based treatment would allow producers to protect entire herds more efficiently and provide a practical way to help protect free-ranging deer and other wildlife.
"Injectable ivermectin was an important first step, but it's not enough," Miller said. "Feed-based ivermectin would allow producers to protect entire herds quickly and efficiently with far less stress on both livestock and producers."
3. Animal movement restrictions issued after New World screwworm detected in West Texas [edited]
By Tamlyn Price
Firstalert7.com
July 2, 2026
PECOS COUNTY, Texas (KOSA) - State animal health officials have issued emergency animal movement restrictions for parts of West Texas after the detection of the New World screwworm in a dog in Pecos County.
The Texas Animal Health Commission announced an executive order restricting the movement of certain animals in Crockett, Pecos and Terrell counties following the June 30 detection.
Officials said the restrictions apply to the movement of livestock, exotic livestock, domestic fowl and exotic fowl in the affected counties as part of ongoing efforts to contain the outbreak.
4. Michigan Quarter Horse Contracts Strangles
EDCC Health Watch
Equus Magazine
July 7, 2026
On July 2, a 13-year-old Quarter Horse mare in Allegan County, Michigan, tested positive for strangles. The mare developed clinical signs on June 22, including nasal and lymph node discharge. She is currently recovering.
Full text: https://equusmagazine.com/news/edcc-health-watch/michigan-quarter-horse-contracts-strangles-2
5. Husted bill establishes Swine Health Improvement Plan
Voluntary program provides health status certification that U.S. pork premises are free of ASF and CSF.
Feedstuffs
July 7, 2026
Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) recently introduced legislation that would help monitor and protect against swine diseases by establishing the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP).
The bill, the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan Act of 2026, would amend the Animal Health Protection Act by directing the secretary of agriculture to establish and maintain a voluntary certification program for foreign animal diseases as well as a federal advisory committee to provide recommendations on the plan's administration.
The industry-led U.S. SHIP transitioned to a program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the industry with a clear framework to improve national herd health through health status certification, according to the National Pork Board.
Currently, USDA operates U.S. SHIP as a voluntary cooperative state-federal-industry pilot program that sets consistent swine health standards and helps maintain trade continuity for U.S. swine and pork products by providing certification of pork premises' disease status, according to USDA.
Full text: https://www.feedstuffs.com/policy/husted-bill-establishes-swine-health-improvement-plan
6. Beef Imports Divide Trump's Trade Agenda
US Cattle Groups Oppose US Trade Rep's Exemption for Brazilian Beef From Proposed Tariffs
By Jake Zajkowski
DTNPF.com
July 7, 2026
WASHINGTON (DTN) -- When President Donald Trump's universal tariffs were struck down by the Supreme Court in February, he warned that his administration had other authorities available to create a level playing field for American producers.
Now, cattle organizations are united in criticizing the United States Trade Representative for not using those authorities on Brazilian beef, instead offering an exemption from proposed tariff action on the Section 301 investigation.
"Exempting the principal derivative of cattle from the proposed 25% tariff action would substantively undermine the Trade Representative's objective of eliminating the improper acts, policies, or practices contributing to illegal deforestation in Brazil," said Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA.
At the U.S. International Trade Commission this week, industries whose products are included on the proposed 25% tariff list testified either in favor of maintaining the tariffs or in support of exemptions.
The Section 301 USTR investigation is alleging forced labor practices in 60 countries, while Brazil separately faces scrutiny over illegal deforestation and other trade concerns.
Full text: https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/AG/news/article/2026/07/07/us-cattle-groups-oppose-us-trade