1. Screwworm threat grows near Texas border
Mexican authorities confirm another screwworm case in González, Tamaulipas, prompting urgent calls for increased livestock monitoring and vigilance.
Beef Magazine
January 16, 2026

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a stark warning to livestock producers in Texas and nationwide after Mexican authorities confirmed an additional New World screwworm (NWS) case in a seven-year-old bovine in González, Tamaulipas-only 215 miles south of the Texas border. The infected animal had no reported history of movement outside of Tamaulipas and represents the third active case in the state.

"The screwworm now may be moving closer on its own, with no apparent link to commercial animal movement," Commissioner Miller said. "Texas producers must act now-stay informed, stay vigilant, and prepare immediately. We cannot drop our guard for even a moment."

Mexican officials report no evidence yet of an established screwworm population in Tamaulipas. The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is working closely with Mexico's National Service for Health, Safety and Agro-Food Quality (SENASICA) to investigate further. APHIS and SENASICA will evaluate response measures, including the release of sterile flies to stop the spread.

Full text: https://www.beefmagazine.com/cattle-health/screwworm-threat-grows-near-texas-border

2. USDA awards Texas Tech University's veterinary school grant
By Emmy Powell, Communications Specialist
Texas Farm Bureau
January 15, 2026

Texas Tech University's School of Veterinary Medicine was awarded a $250,000 Veterinary Service Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that aims to address the nationwide shortage of food animal veterinarians.

The grant will help the veterinary school create its first food animal residency program designed to strengthen veterinary services in rural and agricultural communities.

"The lack of veterinary coverage in rural regions has far-reaching consequences, from diminished livestock health and welfare to threats against food security and community economic viability," Jennifer Koziol, associate professor of Food Animal Medicine and Surgery, said a press release. "The USDA project aligns with national strategic goals of supporting rural prosperity and ensuring a safe, nutritious food supply."

Full text: https://texasfarmbureau.org/usda-awards-texas-tech-universitys-veterinary-school-grant/

3. Surveillance Detects 197 Positive CWD Cases [NE]
RuralRadio.com
January 17, 2026

Chronic wasting disease surveillance conducted in southwestern Nebraska during the November and December deer seasons detected 197 positive cases in deer.

In the Buffalo, Republican, Platte and Frenchman management units 785 samples were collected for testing. CWD was detected for the first time in Logan, Kearney and Nuckolls counties.

CWD surveillance in Nebraska is implemented in four to seven units each year, rotating to a different part of the state. New this year, hunters were able to request mail-in sampling kits; as kits were available for hunters through Dec. 31 final CWD counts may slightly vary.

Full text: https://ruralradio.com/kozy/news/surveillance-detects-197-positive-cwd-cases/

4. Zoonoses and One Health Update - Dec. 10th Call
Watch the December 10, 2025, ZOHU Call Video.
CDC
January 16, 2026

Presentations:

Close genetic relatedness of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales from companion animals and humans
Allison James, DVM, MPH, PhD, Lead, One Health Antimicrobial Resistance Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Using Firstline for Veterinary Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)
Karen Alroy, DVM MPH DACVPM, Medical Epidemiologist
One Health Lead Antimicrobial Resistance Unit, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Veterinary Medicine Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Council: Advancing Veterinary IPC Through Collaboration and Standardization
Leslie Kollman, BS, AAS, CVT, CIC, Veterinary Infection Preventionists, Minnesota Department of Health

Video: https://tinyurl.com/5c8f7w8z

5. USDA Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program
USDA Office of Communications Bulletin
January 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at the Congressionally created 1890 land-grant universities to pursue careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences. The application deadline is March 8, 2026.

Students around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an online application. The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college that will attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The program is also open to rising college sophomores and juniors that meet the same criteria.

"Our land-grant universities, especially our 1890 land-grants, are critical in educating the next generation of agriculturists, and the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program supports this effort by providing students with real-world work experience and support for their education. Now more than ever we need to encourage our young people to join the noble and fulfilling profession of farming and feeding our fellow citizens," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. "President Trump has made it a priority to promote excellence at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and USDA is proud to further these efforts through this important program."

Full text: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAOC/bulletins/404a15a

6. Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)
Federal Register Volume 91, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)
Notices
Pages 2329-2330
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FR Doc No: 2026-00995
Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 12 / Tuesday, January 20, 2026 / Notices
Page 2329

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

[Docket No. APHIS-2025-0703]

Notice of Request for Revision to and Extension of Approval of an Information Collection; National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP)

AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.

ACTION: Revision to and extension of approval of an information collection; comment request.

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice announces the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's intention to request a revision to and extension of approval of an information collection associated with the National Poultry Improvement Plan.

DATES: We will consider all comments that we receive on or before March 23, 2026.

Full text: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-20/html/2026-00995.htm