Warren Cude

Owner 3C Ranch, Co-Owner Trans Pecos Aviation LLC, Texas Farm Bureau State Director

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

New World screwworm was the focus of a hearing on Capitol Hill today.

Texas Farm Bureau State Director Jared Blankenship testified before a U.S. House subcommittee in support of @RepRonnyJackson’s SAFE CATTLE Act.

The bill would establish a memorandum of understanding between @USDA and @Interior to coordinate New World screwworm prevention, control and eradication efforts in wildlife on federal lands.

Read more: https://t.co/LPlrycT1lV

@Screwworm_RR

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

Big things are happening in Douglas, AZ! 🐕‍🦺🐾🦺

As @USDA_APHIS prepares to deploy the New World screwworm detector dogs to the Douglas, AZ port of entry, we are fired up to support the mission — and have modified the cattle chutes to give these canine heroes the best possible workspace.

These canine teams will bolster our livestock inspection capabilities at the border to protect U.S. livestock.

Strong infrastructure. Overlapping safeguards. Safer livestock.

#StopScrewworm

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

Number of the Day:  500 million

Flying Into Action!

We’re not dropping like flies…
But we ARE dropping flies—millions of them!  In fact, we have dispersed over 500 MILLION sterile flies in Texas since February!

This week alone:
✈️ ~72.4 million sterile flies by aerial dispersal
📦 ~4.1 million sterile flies by ground release chambers

Learn more: https://t.co/huhRGburvS

#StopScrewworm #flymaxxing

[New World Screwworm Rapid Response @Screwworm_RR]

Ground Release Chambers Strengthen NWS Response

Ground release chambers are an important tool in the New World screwworm response, helping safely and efficiently release sterile flies directly into the affected areas, and expanding the reach of aerial dispersal operations.

To date, over 22 million sterile flies have been dispersed in Texas using ground release chambers.

Take a look as our response team carefully prepares a chamber with sterile NWS fly pupae.

#StopScrewworm #USDAOnTheGround

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

We’ve hosted several informational meetings this week on New World screwworm with state and federal agencies and our industry partners.

@Screwworm_RR
@USDA
@USDA_APHIS
@TAHC

[USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service @USDA_APHIS]

⚡ One conversation, one partner at a time. @USDA is taking bold action to fortify New World screwworm (NWS) response. Working with producers & industry leaders on the ground, we’re sparking real-time conversations - driving coordinated efforts to stop NWS! 🤝
#USDAOnTheGround

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening joined @POTUS Donald Trump at the White House Rose Garden this evening for an event recognizing America's farmers and ranchers. Cabinet members, congressional leaders and other dignitaries also attended.

During the event, President Trump highlighted several agricultural provisions included in the Working Families Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including doubling the estate tax exemption rate and updates to the farm safety net through increased reference prices and improvements to commodity programs. Texas Farm Bureau worked alongside agricultural organizations and lawmakers to help secure these priorities.

The president discussed his request to Congress for an additional $11 billion in economic assistance for farmers, which is included in the proposed supplemental funding package. Texas Farm Bureau has been working with the administration and Congress to support additional assistance as farmers and ranchers continue to face significant economic challenges.

Boening also met with @SecRollins, @SecretaryBurgum and @SecKennedy, as well as U.S. Senate Ag Committee Chairman @JohnBoozman and @SenJohnHoeven.

Texas Farm Bureau continues working with the administration and Congress to advance policies that strengthen the farm safety net, improve the farm economy and provide greater certainty for agriculture.

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

TFB Vice President Warren Cude and USDA Undersecretary Dudley Hoskins talk about the sterile flies expected to come out of the renovated Metapa, Mexico facility.

@Screwworm_RR
@USDA_APHIS
@USDA

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Our leaders had a good, candid conversation with @SecRollins and the USDA team today in South Texas about New World screwworm response and eradication efforts.

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Inspect. Report. Protect. What you need to know about New World screwworm.

@TAHC @Screwworm_RR

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

These photos show one of the main tools being used to stop New World screwworm.

The green pupae are sterile flies before they emerge. The other photos show a ground release unit used by @USDA to distribute those flies in infested zones.

Why sterile flies?

Female New World screwworm flies only mate once. When they mate with a sterile male, the eggs do not hatch. Repeated releases reduce the population and help eliminate the pest.

Each ground release unit holds about 80,000 flies and is refilled every other day. As the flies emerge, they disperse into the surrounding area in search of females.

Sterile flies are also being released by air. So far this month, USDA has released more than 19.5 million sterile flies (via air and ground) as part of the effort to contain and eradicate New World screwworm.

See where sterile flies are being released: https://t.co/5CNmfPsT6U

Reporting suspected infestations is critical. Confirmed cases help officials target surveillance and evaluate where sterile fly releases are needed most.

Livestock & Pets: Call TAHC at 1-800-550-8242

Wildlife: Call TPWD at 512-389-4505

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Over 1,000 farmers, ranchers, landowners, and veterinarians were in Fredericksburg tonight for a New World screwworm informational meeting.

@SecRollins, @USDA, and @TAHC shared situational updates and the need for continued community engagement to once again eradicate this pest.

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Christmas is right around the corner. And Santa’s helper, also known as the Happy Toy Maker, is hard at work.

Jerry Sims may not have a beard or a red suit, but he is building Christmas magic one farm toy at a time.

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Meet Sarah Roderick! She’s the events and outreach coordinator for AgSpire, a company that partners with farmers and ranchers across the U.S. to improve their operations through regenerative and conservation-based practices.

Sarah also helps with her family’s cattle ranch in Marfa. They run about 750 cows across 60,000 acres of rugged desert terrain.

She is a finalist in our Excellence in Agriculture contest. We'll announce the winner during our Annual Meeting next month.

[Warren Cude @wwcude]

@LDAMAX1 Nice!

[TSCRA @TSCRA]

The proven way to eradicate screwworm is through sterile fly production, not traps & bait. TSCRA stands with the Trump Administration, @SecRollins and USDA. We cannot afford distractions from unproven methods.

https://t.co/ZMLQA9bK7R

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

#NationalFarmersDay. Today. And every day. Working early mornings and late nights to grow our food, fiber and fuel.

Each day, farmers and ranchers care for the land, animals, natural resources and their families. They have a desire to succeed. The drive to innovate. And a passion for growing things.

Farmers and ranchers: They’re the beating heart of Texas agriculture and our future.

Read more on Texas Table Top: https://t.co/eWgIcPFQoy

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

Texas Farm Bureau proudly supports the Trump administration and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture @SecRollins for their decisive leadership in confronting the threat of the New World screwworm. USDA’s actions are grounded in sound science and a strong commitment to protecting our livestock, wildlife, rural communities and consumers.

@USDA’s science-based strategy has led to the construction of a sterile fly dispersal facility in South Texas and the announcement of a $750 million domestic Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) production site in Edinburg. These facilities will produce and deploy sterile flies—the gold standard for screwworm eradication.

Secretary Rollins is standing with producers, alongside state and federal leaders, to deliver real solutions. Defeating this pest requires unity. We must act together, guided by science, and ensure all USDA efforts are streamlined and executed without delay. Texas Farm Bureau is proud to consider Secretary Rollins a partner in this effort.

We look forward to continuing our work with the Trump administration, Secretary Rollins and USDA to protect the livestock and wildlife industries, as well as the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across the nation.

🔗https://t.co/4o8xN9PmIi

[Rep. Monica De La Cruz @RepMonicaDLC]

Thank you, Brian Jones, @TexasFarmBureau District Director, for joining us in celebrating the Moore Air Base Sterile Fly Facility announcement! We are proud to have the support of the Texas Farm Bureau for the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act, which ensures we are ready to protect our ag communities from this deadly parasite.

[Texas Farm Bureau @TexasFarmBureau]

USDA suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison through the U.S. southern border points of entry due to the threat of the New World screwworm.

Read our statement: https://t.co/G6FCP1jCjq