agriculture16.125 min read
Pro Farmer Crop Tour Opens Amid Flooded Eastern Corn Belt
8 days ago•Source: Pro Farmer
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12.05 min•1 month ago
April Freeze Devastates Colorado North Fork Valley Orchards, Forcing Farms to Rebuild
An unseasonable April freeze wiped out this year’s fruit harvest in Colorado’s North Fork Valley, leaving growers like First Fruits with no crops and forcing continued irrigation and maintenance while packing sheds and seasonal workers face layoffs or reallocation. Some operations pivot to value-added products (juice, jams) or agritourism, but losses—estimated around $15 million—strain wholesale, markets and tourism. Disaster aid and recovery efforts are underway as communities work to rebound for next spring.
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Screwworm Outbreak Expands Across Texas and New Mexico, Raising Biosecurity Alarm
The Guardian•2 months ago
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Idaho tightens animal imports after screwworm detection
KSL News•2 months ago
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New World Screwworm Sparks Federal Rebuke of Texas Official Over Reporting Remarks
The U.S. Department of Agriculture publicly rebuked Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller after he suggested ranchers might avoid reporting New World screwworm infestations due to quarantine restrictions, as Texas logged five confirmed cases in less than a week and New Mexico reported a case. Federal officials emphasize that rapid reporting enables containment through quarantines, surveillance, sterile fly releases, and other tools; Miller advocates deploying SWASS in addition to sterile flies. Governor Abbott and Rollins stressed a coordinated response, and a new senior advisor for screwworm preparedness was named.
Texas ag chief and USDA clash over screwworm response as outbreak looms
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins publicly clashes with Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller over the federal response to the New World Screwworm outbreak in Texas, with Rollins calling Miller’s criticisms unserious and Miller accusing USDA of slow action and urging immediate deployment of the Screwworm Adult Suppression System. The feud highlights tensions between federal and state leaders as the parasite threatens cattle herds and beef prices, while the USDA presses ahead with its screwworm playbook—sterile flies, quarantine zones, increased surveillance—and ramps up production to contain the outbreak, amid calls for stronger federal intervention.
Texas Faces New Screwworm Threat Near the Border
The USDA confirmed the New World screwworm fly has reached south Texas for the first time in decades, detected in a 3-week-old calf near La Pryor. A 12-mile quarantine zones restricts movement of warm-blooded animals while authorities deploy sterile flies and expand surveillance. Officials say there is no evidence of a mass infestation and the fly’s flesh-eating larvae can be treated; the case follows decades of eradication and ongoing investments to rebuild sterile-fly production facilities in Mexico and Texas to prevent further spread. The incident highlights continued biosecurity vigilance at the U.S.-Mexico border.
South Texas Faces First New World Screwworm Case, Sparking Broad Response
Texas has confirmed the first U.S. case of New World screwworm in a 3‑week‑old calf from Zavala County, prompting federal and state actions. While meat isn’t at immediate risk, the outbreak could cost up to $1.8 billion to Texas’ cattle economy and push beef prices higher. Officials are using sterile-fly release programs, quarantines, and enhanced border surveillance with Mexico and Panama to eradicate the pest, building on a historic eradication effort from the 1960s. Hunters and pet owners should monitor wounds on animals and report suspected screwworms to a veterinarian; FDA-approved treatments exist, though medicated feed is not yet approved.
Texas detects New World screwworm in calf, triggers containment response
A New World screwworm was detected in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas, with larvae found in the umbilical area; there are no additional detections at this time. USDA APHIS and Texas officials have launched containment and eradication efforts, including a 20-kilometer infested zone, quarantines, movement controls, and enhanced surveillance to protect livestock and prevent economic losses.
Diesel Price Surge Tests US Farmers’ Margins Amid Tariffs and Drought
Diesel costs, spiking due to tariffs and war-related shortages, are squeezing US farmers who were already financially stressed by tariff losses and drought, risking higher production costs and tighter margins—especially for small and Black-owned farms—while advocates press for tariff relief and stronger USDA support.
USDA Announces Aid Rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
The USDA announced the Farmer Bridge Assistance program rates for 2025, with rice and cotton receiving the highest per-acre payments, as part of an $11 billion effort to support farmers affected by trade disruptions. The payments aim to bridge the economic gap for farmers, but critics view them as insufficient and temporary solutions amidst ongoing agricultural challenges.
USDA Reveals Aid Details for Farmers Under Bridge Assistance Program
The USDA announced the next phase of the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, providing $12 billion in payments to American farmers in 2026, with $11 billion as one-time payments based on 2025 crop data, to support farmers amid economic challenges. Payments vary by commodity, and the program aims to offer relief and stability for farmers planning for the upcoming planting season.
Turkey Farmers Use Lasers to Combat Bird Flu Amid Rising Risks
Turkey growers in Minnesota are using infrared laser projectors to deter waterfowl and prevent the spread of bird flu, with early reports suggesting they are effective in protecting flocks and reducing the risk of outbreaks.
EU Plans Major Budget Overhaul, Merging Funds and Shifting Resources
The European Commission, led by Ursula von der Leyen, plans to overhaul the EU's farm subsidy system by shifting responsibility and funding decisions from Brussels to national governments, aiming to reduce costs and simplify the policy, but risking increased domestic political conflicts and potential cuts to farm support.