Federal partnership expands domestic production capacity to protect U.S. cattle and livestock.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) held a groundbreaking ceremony at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, for a new sterile fly production facility designed to protect against the New World Screwworm (NWS), a pest that threatens livestock and agricultural stability. The facility is part of a broader federal strategy to strengthen domestic biosecurity by producing sterile flies used to disrupt the pest’s reproduction cycle, reducing reliance on foreign production sources.
“Breaking ground on this facility marks a major investment in safeguarding America’s livestock and the producers who feed this nation,“ USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The New World Screwworm threatens the health of our herds, the stability of rural economies, and the resilience of our supply chain.”
“Our mission at USACE is to deliver engineering solutions, with our partners, to secure our Nation, strengthen our economy, and reduce disaster risk,“ said Lieutenant General Butch Graham, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) commanding general. “This new, modern facility is the critical infrastructure we need to secure a defensive line against the New World Screwworm for generations to come.”
Officials said the project includes expedited construction timelines, with initial output expected by November 2027 and full capacity targeted at 300 million sterile flies per week. The USDA also highlighted the coordination with existing production efforts in Panama and Mexico.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Rollins and USDA personnel to be prudent as they pursue solutions to ensure biosecurity and supply chain resilience.
- For wisdom for Lt. General Graham and USACE officials as they engage in the construction of the facility.
- For farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers affected by livestock pests to have protection for their animals and stability in their livelihoods.
Sources: Department of Agriculture
