USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) protects American agriculture by helping ensure the health of animals and plants.

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

USDA APHIS is hiring! Join us Nov. 17–19 in McAllen, TX to help staff 200+ positions at the new NWS Sterile Fly Production Facility in Edinburg, TX.
Interviews on-site. Bring a résumé!

Event info: 8am – 8 pm CST, Embassy Suites McAllen.
Learn more: https://t.co/4FNYX6XV89

[Dept. of Agriculture @USDA]

Today, we honor the brave men and women who answered the call to serve, stood in defense of our nation, and sacrificed to protect the freedoms we hold dear.

To every American veteran: Your courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to our country will never be forgotten.

From all of us at USDA, thank you for your service. God bless our veterans, and God bless America! 🇺🇸

#VeteransDay

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

This week, Under Secretary Hoskins met with the Arkansas Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers to discuss market access, trade & other topics impacting U.S. agriculture. Strong conversations with the next generation of producers help build a bright future for American agriculture!

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

Big number. Bigger purpose. ⏱️13,732 feral swine checked.  

Since July 2025, @USDA_APHIS Wildlife Services checked 13,732 feral swine for signs of New World screwworm infestation. Feral swine aren’t just invasive and destructive—they can travel long distances and introduce NWS to new areas if left un-checked.   
Call 866-4USDA-WS to report signs of NWS in wild animals. #ProtectingAgriculture #NewWorldScrewworm

[Secretary Brooke Rollins @SecRollins]

Their service to America didn't end when they took off the uniform.

Today, we honored the veterans whose dedication, leadership, and sense of duty continue to strengthen our Department and the communities we serve.

We also took an important step to honor our fallen heroes, signing an MOU with the @DeptofWar to establish the Gold Star Trails Initiative.

Through this partnership, Gold Star Families will be able to nominate National Forest trails to be named or dedicated in honor of their loved ones who gave their lives defending our nation, creating lasting tributes for generations of Americans to remember their sacrifice.

Thank you to @SBA_Kelly , @SecVetAffairs, and @USW_PR_HONTata for joining us today and for your continued commitment to America's veterans and military families.

To every veteran, Gold Star Family, and military family: thank you. May God bless you and the country you have given so much to defend. 🇺🇸

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

Under Secretary Hoskins met with the Alabama Agricultural Leadership Delegation at USDA headquarters to discuss animal health, trade, workforce needs & other priorities for Alabama agriculture. Discussions like this help USDA build partnerships and support farmers & producers.

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

Pasture mealybugs are tiny invasive insects that can damage warm-season grasses and sugarcane.

Learn how to recognize this pest and help protect agriculture: https://t.co/shdjTgqHU5

#ProtectingAgriculture
#PastureMealybug

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

✨New World Screwworm Grand Challenge Update✨   

👏 Sandia National Laboratories is developing innovative tools to screen livestock and wildlife for wounds and signs of possible New World screwworm infestation. @SandiaLabs  

Learn more about the Grand Challenge ➡️ Innovation and Research To Stop Screwworm 🔗 https://t.co/3ZPOujnxJp
| https://t.co/4Jqnvn8woZ #StopScrewworm

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

📍As conditions change, so does our response. 

To address active cases and help reduce the risk of further spread, sterile fly releases are directed to the most urgent locations. Over the past two weeks, the areas of greatest need have shifted to Arizona and New Mexico, though we also continue to release sterile flies in strategic areas over Texas.  
This targeted, risk-based approach focuses the limited supply of sterile flies where they can have the greatest impact. 

Map of dispersal areas 🔗 https://t.co/OH9RrlKHPg 
#ScrewwormResponse #AnimalHealth #USDA

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

🔎 NWS WEEKLY SNAPSHOT 

From surveillance to community outreach, USDA and partners are focused on reducing New World screwworm cases and protecting livestock and wildlife. 

📍This week’s metrics: 
• Total cases: 121 
• Active cases: 59 
• Inactive cases: 62 
• Wildlife cases: 2 
• Fertile NWS flies detected: 6 

Learn how you can help 👉 https://t.co/4Jqnvn94ex.  

Get the latest: Confirmed Detections of New World Screwworm | APHIS 🔗 https://t.co/i5ZUY8OEFO

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

👀 Wildlife Teams on the Ground 
Since June 4, USDA Wildlife Services has completed more than 2,047 ground observations across Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona—looking for signs of New World screwworm in over 24,000 wildlife. This goes hand-in-hand with work being done using drones, trapping, field examinations, and other tools tofuel rapid response and targeted follow‑up. 

Learn more 👉 https://t.co/4Jqnvn8woZ

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

🪰 Ground Operations, Maximum Impact 

USDA teams continue to deploy sterile New World screwworm flies where they can make the biggest difference.

Since February, in our southern border states:  
✅ 43,073,520 sterile flies released from ground chambers  
✅ Targeted coverage in key areas  
✅ Supporting broader aerial release operations 

Every sterile fly released helps disrupt the screwworm lifecycle and strengthen our defense against NWS. 
#FlyMaxxing #ProtectingAgriculture

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

USDA continues to deploy sterile New World screwworm flies across key locations along the southern border. 

✅ More than 1,711,046,000 sterile flies released 

✅ Daily aerial and ground operations 

By overwhelming wild populations with sterile flies, we're helping to safeguard livestock, wildlife, pets, and our agricultural resources. 
#ProtectingAgriculture #FlyMaxxing

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

✨New World Screwworm Grand Challenge Update✨   

👏 Louisiana State University Agricultural Center is working to create an innovative biocontrol strategy to target and control New World screwworm. @LSUAgCenter 

Learn more about the Grand Challenge ➡️ Innovation and Research To Stop Screwworm 🔗 https://t.co/3ZPOujnxJp | https://t.co/4Jqnvn8woZ 

#StopScrewworm

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

USDA announces updates to Farm Bill animal health programs - including $80M in funding opportunities to protect U.S. livestock. “With expanded Farm Bill funding, our priority remains clear: protect America’s farmers & ranchers.” - Under Secretary Hoskins https://t.co/E7dLschvgt

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

📊Number of the Day: 86,487
Since July 3, 2025, more than 86,487 suspect flies have been submitted from traps, with only 5 wild New World screwworm flies detected.

Supporting this effort:

🪰 Over 300 NWS-specific fly traps and bait locations
🔬 More than 7,000 insect traps in border states

Surveillance works because of strong collaboration among USDA, state officials, industry partners, and producers. 🤝

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

We’re partnering with @USDA_APHIS to combat the threat posed by feral swine to American ag, landscapes and human and livestock health. Chief of Staff Kyle Allen recently sat down with Rod Bain of @USDA Radio to talk about how the projects will help America’s working lands.

[Defend the Flock @Defend_theFlock]

HPAI is a serious threat to your poultry flock! If you have 500+ birds, USDA offers free biosecurity assessments to help you identify risks and improve flock biosecurity - request yours today! For smaller operations, check out the free Defend the Flock biosecurity resources online.

https://t.co/TygiZ48T20

[Natural Resources Conservation Service @USDA_NRCS]

We’re partnering with @USDA_APHIS to combat the threat posed by feral swine to America’s working lands. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cut Act, today we announced $51.9 million has been awarded to 29 partnership projects in 13 states. https://t.co/SeDKvo2h0S

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

@USDA_APHIS Wildlife Services is using broad wildlife surveillance to support the New World screwworm response—strengthening situational awareness, supporting detection, and guiding rapid follow-up. Across the southern border states, since July 2025:   
28,464 wildlife examined through on-the-ground observation 
130 species checked in 207 counties  
1 confirmed case in wildlife 

Our teams and partners are on the ground every day protecting U.S. wildlife, livestock, and communities.  
#StopScrewworm #NWSResponse