BioSec Bob here on Saturday, June 6, 2026 — let’s get right into it.
The New World Screwworm has officially landed in Texas, and that’s got pork producers taking precautions. Pork Business is reporting the parasite has established itself in the state, triggering immediate response protocols across the swine sector. The screwworm infests open wounds on livestock and can spread rapidly through a herd if left unchecked. Texas producers are ramping up wound management and surveillance, and the discovery has put the entire industry on higher alert as the insect could move into neighboring states during warmer months.
The good news on that front — the U.S. Department of Agriculture is accelerating its defense. According to 3tres3.com, the federal government has built a new sterile fly production facility designed to breed and release male screwworms that can’t reproduce. The facility will support the ongoing Sterile Insect Technique program, which has successfully kept the screwworm suppressed in other parts of North America for decades. The facility’s capacity will bolster the government’s ability to protect livestock across multiple states simultaneously.
Meanwhile, the National Pork Board says disease pressure overall remains the top concern for U.S. hog producers right now, according to Brownfield Ag News. The board’s latest assessment shows that while screwworm is drawing attention, the day-to-day disease threats — porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome, swine influenza, and other endemic pathogens — continue to challenge farm profitability and herd health. Producers are managing biosecurity protocols, but economic pressure from treatment costs and production loss is substantial.
Over in the Canadian market, 3tres3.com reports the swine industry outlook for 2025 shows modest growth potential but with lingering supply chain concerns. Canadian producers are watching export opportunities as U.S. market dynamics shift, though tariff uncertainty remains a wild card for cross-border trade.
And from the disease front internationally — Hungary has reported its first confirmed case of African Swine Fever in domestic pigs, according to Pork Business. The discovery marks a significant concern for European and global trade partners, as ASF can devastate swine operations. The confirmation will likely trigger stricter import protocols for pork and pork products from the region.
Keep your biosecurity plans current — a lot’s moving in the disease world right now.