Protecting Our Livestock

Before it was eradicated half a century ago, a brutal parasite known as New World Screwworm wreaked havoc on livestock and ruthlessly damaged economies across the southwest. Now, it has reemerged — posing a serious threat to the agricultural backbone of our state.

Preventing a similar tragedy will require re-education, training, and additional resources to swiftly detect cases and stop new infections. That's why I’m proud to cosponsor the bipartisan Protecting America's Herds Act, which will train producers on NWS identification and treatment, enhance coordination between key animal health organizations, and prioritize funding for communities at elevated risk of spread.

Back home, no entity is better equipped than Texas A&M AgriLife to lead the fight and protect our ranches. I commend the U.S. Department of Agriculture for recognizing their exceptional work and including them in a new $105 million research grant. Texans are stepping up to protect our livestock and livelihoods from this brutal parasite, and the federal government must do the same. Click here to read more about this partnership.