We don’t say this lightly, but this one matters for your herd. On June 3, 2026, the USDA confirmed a case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in a 3-week-old calf in Zavala County, south Texas. It’s the kind of news we’d rather share early so you can stay ahead of it.
Here’s what every cattle and livestock owner should know:
- What it is: A parasitic fly that lays its eggs in live, warm-blooded animals.
- Why it’s dangerous: The larvae burrow into living tissue, causing serious, fast-growing wounds.
- How fast it moves: Left untreated, an infestation can kill an animal in under a week.
- How it spreads: It thrives in warm temperatures and travels through infested animals moving from place to place.
Report mammals and birds with the following signs:
- Irritated behavior
- Head shaking
- The smell of decay
- Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds
The good news? Prevention and early treatment make a real difference, and we’re here to help you protect your animals.
Our recommended products at Cherokee Feed & Seed:
- Norbrook’s Noromectin (ivermectin) — a trusted option for prevention and treatment.
- Aspen’s Ivermax (ivermectin 1% sterile injectable) — now available under an FDA Emergency Use Authorization for NWS.
Don’t wait until you spot a problem. Check your animals regularly, treat any open wounds quickly, and stock up on what you need now.
Stop by and talk with our team at Cherokee Feed and Seed. We’ll help you find the right products and answer your questions, neighbor to neighbor.
