Author: Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF Leads Charge in Dynamic Trade Environment

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft
  • Advocated for dairy priorities in administration’s Reciprocal Trade Deals
  • Secured the reintroduction and advancement of key common names bill
  • Spurred federal investigation into global nonfat milk solids marketplace
  • Expanded network of allied organizations
  • Advanced key supply chain initiatives

NMPF has actively navigated the new administration’s proactive and unconventional trade approach to forge better global prospects for U.S. dairy exporters.

As the Trump administration’s trade negotiations unfold, NMPF Executive Vice Presidents Jaime Castaneda and Shawna Morris are serving as confidential private sector advisers to the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Agriculture, offering guidance to ensure that U.S. dairy interests are represented and pursued across the globe.

To date, the United States announced trade frameworks with key dairy trading partners including South Korea, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. These frameworks vary in scope and detail and are designed to set the stage for more detailed negotiations to follow soon.

The frameworks with Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines are particularly promising for dairy exporters. It appears likely that all three countries will zero out tariffs on U.S. dairy exports, leveling the playing field with New Zealand and Australia, and in some cases the European Union too. Indonesia’s framework also addresses longstanding barriers that have made it difficult for American companies to compete in the market. This includes dairy facility registration approval improvements and steps that would help protect common name rights in Indonesia for products like “parmesan” and “feta.” Details on all announced trade details are forthcoming.

In addition to providing guidance as cleared advisors, NMPF worked hard in the months leading up to the negotiations to lay the groundwork for success. As the administration began to fill out its cabinet and agency positions, NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) shared trade priorities  with incoming USTR and USDA officials to improve the global competitive landscape for U.S. dairy exporters. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud testified before the House Ways & Means Trade Subcommittee, where he called for the U.S. government to pursue greater market access for U.S. products and enforce existing trade agreements.

Throughout its meetings and engagements with the Trump Administration, NMPF has stressed the need to preserve trade flows, while encouraging a tailored approach to tariffs that ensure fairness for U.S. farmers and workers.

NMPF remained active in multiple trade-related areas that went beyond negotiations, for example supporting the Apr. 1 reintroduction of the Safeguarding American Food and Export Trade Yields (SAFETY) Act and continuing additional efforts to proactively protect common food names for American cheesemakers. Originally introduced as the Safeguarding American Value-Added Exports (SAVE) Act in 2023, the SAFETY Act would direct the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Trade Representative to prioritize the protection of common names like “parmesan” in international trade negotiations.

As Congress and the administration prepare for next year’s critical U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) review process, NMPF is engaging with and supporting the U.S. Trade Representative’s office and other key stakeholders to ensure that they have the information needed to strengthen the agreement for U.S. dairy producers and exporters.

A particular issue that needs addressing is Canada’s dairy policies that incentivize dairy protein to be produced, then offloaded globally at artificially low prices — including by shifting tariff codes to evade USMCA export surcharges.

NMPF responded to this issue by pressuring the administration to address Canada’s persistent flouting of USMCA commitments, which led to a U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) investigation launched May 20 into the export competitiveness of nonfat milk solids industries in the United States and other major suppliers. NMPF submitted written comments as part of that investigation outlining underhanded practices by Canada and other global suppliers that harm U.S. producers. NMPF’s Jaime Castaneda and Will Loux further elaborated on those points at a July 28 USITC hearing in the case.

NMPF has expanded its network of international allies, strengthening its ability to advocate for U.S. dairy worldwide. During a March 17-20 trip to Central America, Castaneda closed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between NMPF, USDEC, and the Guatemalan Dairy Development Association (ASODEL). The agreement strengthens ties between the U.S. and Guatemalan dairy industries as they advocate for free and fair-trade policies and promote greater dairy consumption.

NMPF and USDEC signed an MOU May 1 with KADIN, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, strengthening ties between the U.S. and Indonesian dairy industries. This agreement builds on a flourishing partnership between the two countries, launched by the establishment of the U.S.-Indonesia Dairy Partnership Program. This collaboration is focused on creating and distributing technical educational materials designed to empower small-scale dairy producers in Indonesia to improve the quality and quantity of their milk production while touting the value of complementary U.S. dairy imports to meet the full needs of Indonesia’s expanding school milk program.

To ensure that U.S. dairy exporters can depend on timely and reliable shipping and rail transportation, NMPF is prioritizing supply chain improvements.

USTR on Feb. 21 proposed to impose fees on Chinese-built and -operated cargo ships as part of a larger investigation into Chinese maritime dominance. While this action was well-intentioned, NMPF and USDEC filed comments on March 24 to warn the agency that additional service fees would significantly increase costs for American exporters and diminish shipping options for U.S. products — both of which could lead to loss of global market access. USTR heard the industry pushback and modified the rule on June 12 rolled back the severity of the proposed fees. NMPF continues to urge the agency to re-evaluate the remaining fees to ensure U.S. dairy exporters do not face additional costs to export.

NMPF’s August Sees Flurry of Comments, Initiatives

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF spent the traditional August lull in Washington policymaking actively pushing its members’ priorities, submitting regulatory comments to federal agencies.

NMPF stood with other major agricultural organizations in joint comments submitted Aug. 13 against a draft risk assessment in which EPA models human exposure to the “forever chemicals” PFOA or PFOS from the application of sewage sludge, or biosolids, to farmland. The organizations asserted that EPA’s models operate on extreme assumptions that don’t account for the reality of agriculture, despite the agency’s best intentions.

NMPF also continued its decades-long fight against improper and ineffective air emissions modeling through comments Aug. 18 to the National Air Emissions Monitoring Study Group in response to draft revised emission models for animal feeding operations released by EPA late last fall.

After significant analysis, NMPF concluded that the current draft EPA dairy Air Emissions Estimating Methodologies (EEMs) are not appropriate for predicting dairy farm emissions. NMPF described the specific modeling flaws in its comments to support its argument that EPA should permanently cease its efforts in this area.

August also was highlighted by more activity from NEXT (NMPF Export and Trade), the revamped, cooperative-led export assistance program. NEXT member cooperatives secured 37 contracts in August, adding 8.6 million pounds of product in NEXT-assisted sales in 2025. These products will go to customers in Asia, Oceania, Middle East-North Africa, Central America, the Caribbean and South America and will be shipped through December.

NMPF also opened its fundraising raffle for its annual scholarship awards. The raffle runs through this year’s Joint Annual Meeting and concludes on Nov. 12 when winners will be announced.

Prizes this year include a $100 Airbnb gift card, a Cabot Creamery Fan Favorite gift box and more. The raffle can be accessed here. Back by popular demand, the scholarship committee will also be hosting a combination silent and live auction during the Cheese Reception on Nov. 11.

The NMPF National Dairy Leadership Scholarship Program supports master’s and Ph.D. students conducting vital research for the future of the industry. The program is largely funded through raffles and auctions. Donations are also welcome. These events are critical to ensuring the opportunity to support the next generation of dairy enthusiasts.

NMPF’s Joint Annual Meeting on Nov. 10-12, held with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB) and the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA), is open for registration. More information and registration is available here.

Meanwhile, the FARM team is beginning to develop its Version 2028 of its Animal Care program, conducting a stakeholder survey through Sept. 5 collecting input from dairy farmers, industry stakeholders and partners about topics, issues and potential changes. The survey results will inform a final report available on the FARM website early next year.

Finally, according to August USDA data, the July margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage program dropped to $10.94/cwt, as the DMC feed cost formula decreased by $0.34/cwt, and the all-milk price fell by $0.50/cwt to $20.80/cwt. The July DMC feed cost dropped on lower corn and soybean meal prices, while the premium alfalfa price changed little from June.

‘Beautiful’ Bill Wins Mark Dairy Legislative Progress

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft
  • Obtained long-term dairy safety net and conservation funding in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
  • Won funding and authorization for mandatory dairy processing cost surveys
  • Advocated successfully for permanent Section 199A tax deduction for farmers and cooperatives
  • Elevated dairy’s unique ag labor needs amidst political uncertainty

NMPF worked tirelessly this year to secure success for dairy farmers and their cooperatives in the 2025 budget reconciliation package, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The package’s enactment into law by President Trump on July 4 also included the first new farm bill spending since 2018. The dairy industry welcomed provisions within the legislation that provide certainty to producers and their cooperatives.

New investments include a reauthorized Dairy Margin Coverage program through 2031 that updates the program’s production history calculation. NMPF also lauded dedicated funding for USDA to conduct mandatory processing plant cost surveys every two years and report the results to dairy stakeholders, a key part of its Federal Milk Marketing Order modernization planning that required congressional action outside USDA’s new order implemented in June. These cost studies will inform future milk pricing conversations by giving all stakeholders uniform, transparent pricing information.

The congressional spending legislation also reinvested the remaining Inflation Reduction Act conservation dollars into the Farm Bill baseline, an NMPF-backed policy that will make more funds available for dairy farmers and their cooperatives to use conservation programs like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program. NMPF celebrated an adjusted gross income (AGI) waiver that allows producers whose AGI is over $900,000 to use conservation programs as long as 75% or more of their income comes from farming, ranching, or forestry-related activities. Finally, the package included new trade promotion funding based on current programs that return well over $20 in export revenue for every dollar invested in the programs.

NMPF also succeeded in making the Section 199A tax deduction permanent, enabling dairy farmer-owned cooperatives to continue either passing the deduction back to their farmer owners or reinvesting it in their cooperatives. A permanent Section 199A helps farmer cooperatives stay competitive in today’s marketplace.

Beyond the tax and spending law, work continues toward another longtime priority: ag labor reform that gives dairy farmers access to the H-2A visa program and provides stability for current dairy farm workers and their families.

This year, the Trump Administration has prioritized immigration enforcement while key officials, including President Trump himself as well as Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, have stated the need to address agriculture’s workforce needs. NMPF has met with key individuals at the White House, USDA, and the Department of Labor to highlight the dire workforce uncertainty facing America’s dairies and responding to Beltway misconceptions about farm labor. Paired with dozens of meetings with members of Congress, NMPF continues to build momentum to bring relief to farmers on ag labor as soon as possible.

Many members of Congress have advanced NMPF’s message on ag labor. Members of both parties signaled their desire to work with the Trump Administration on this topic at a House Agriculture Committee hearing with Secretary Rollins in June. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. GT Thompson, R-PA, made a compelling case regarding the importance of current farm workers. Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-SD, carried a message directly from NMPF’s June Board Meeting and emphasized dairy farmers’ anxieties surrounding the current workforce situation.

NMPF will continue to push for progress on ag labor and other priorities in the 119th Congress for the betterment and prosperity of dairy farmers and the cooperatives they own.

FARM Program Strengthens Farmer Input

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft
  • Updated governance structure to enhance farmer input
  • Developed training and resource materials to support farmers
  • Released the Animal Care Version 2028 Stakeholder Survey

The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has spent the year so far reinforcing farmer voices through improved governance, engaging across dairy to shape FARM’s future.

FARM kicked off the year by welcoming Meggan Hain, DVM, as Chief Veterinary Officer. The new position leads NMPF’s efforts to advance animal welfare standards, support dairy producers and promote science-based best practices industrywide. Hain adds robust veterinary perspective to the team.

FARM held a two-day in-person training in May to teach evaluators how to help farmers develop an enhanced biosecurity plan, with the lessons of the H5N1 avian influenza outbreak still fresh.

This training was supported by a cooperative agreement with USDA National Animal Disease Preparedness and Response Plan (NADPRP). The agreement supports expanding the resources available through the FARM Biosecurity program, such as additions to the current online biosecurity training module, which helps teaches the basics of developing an enhanced biosecurity plan, and a second in-person training in Washington this October.

FARM Environmental Stewardship also released new training and resources to aid in implementing FARM ES Version 3. FARM ES created the Version 3 User Guide and Prep Guide to prepare farmers for on-farm evaluations.

FARM in March opened nominations for its Animal Care, Environmental Stewardship and Workforce Development Task Forces, receiving more than 60 total nominations across the three. After review from the FARM Farmer Advisory Council and NMPF Executive Committee, NMPF’s Board of Directors voted in the proposed slate on June 9, with 13 newly seated members. FARM proposed revisions to existing governance to better represent farmer voices during NMPF’s June Board of Directors meeting. The Board voted to restructure current Animal Care reviews, as NMPF’s Animal Health & Wellbeing Committee sets priorities for the FARM Animal Care Task Force and FARM Farmer Advisory Council ahead of the initial review.

FARM has taken the same nomination approach for its FARM Farmer Advisory Council, trying to create a collective, diverse group of farmer representatives. The council provides knowledge and input on farming practices and touts the FARM Program to its fellow producers and assures that farmer insights inform FARM workstreams. Nominations are open via the online form through Sept. 15.

NMPF Helps Break Regulatory Logjams

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft
  • Amplified whole milk’s importance in student meals
  • Stood against unrealistic EPA regulations
  • Shepherded change at the 39th NCIMS
  • Fostered H5N1 and New World Screwworm collaboration.

The Regulatory Affairs team has made significant headway this year on longstanding key issues as Washington policymakers take a fresh look at topics that have languished in some cases for decades.

Whole milk is poised to return to school menus after nearly a decade of NMPF effort.

The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, sponsored by Reps. GT Thompson, R-PA, and Kim Schrier, D-WA, and Sens. Roger Marshall, R-KS, and Peter Welch, D-VT, has been a top NMPF priority for more than half a decade. Thanks to NMPF’s constant amplification of the latest nutrition science and the benefits of whole milk, the legislation has come farther this year than ever before, passing the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry via voice vote. With multiple avenues available for full congressional approval this year, NMPF continues its advocacy for the legislation, which will return to schools the authority to offer whole and 2% milk in federally funded school meals.

In a win for agriculture, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Aug. 7 upheld a 2019 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule that exempted air emissions from animal waste at farms from select reporting requirements subject to the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986, or EPCRA. EPCRA reporting requirements are tied closely to the reporting requirements for the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, or CERCLA, which is commonly known as the Superfund statute. Both CERCLA and EPCRA include reporting requirements for releases of hazardous substances to the environment that NMPF has successfully contested for years.

For the second time on the same rule, NMPF filed comments July 11 to the Department of Health and Human Services opposing FDA’s proposed Front-of-Pack labeling rule as well as two proposed plant-based labeling guidance documents. These comments responded to a request for information as part of HHS’ deregulatory initiative begun by a Trump Administration executive order, and echo comments NMPF submitted directly to FDA in January about the proposed rules and guidance.

In its comments to HHS, NMPF states that FDA’s Front-of-Pack nutrition labeling scheme is a highly flawed, unlawful approach to educating consumers about food nutritional profiles. Because the front-of-pack label would only list saturated fat, sodium and added sugar, consumers will get an incomplete picture of that food’s nutritional profile. In its separate comments to HHS on plant-based guidance, NMPF pointed to ample evidence that mislabeling has led to confusion among consumers regarding the nutritional deficiencies of plant-based alternatives and that there are negative human health consequences as result of that confusion. NMPF helped deliver favorable outcomes for nine proposals it submitted on behalf of its members, including a standard for bulk-tank cleaning that’s better aligned with milk-truck standards, at the 39th National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments, which met April 11-16 in Minneapolis. The conference tackled important issues facing FDA’s National Grade “A” Milk Program, the Grade “A” Milk Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and related documents.

Support for eliminating H5N1 in dairy herds and rapidly developing an approved H5N1 vaccine for dairy cattle has continued this year. NMPF created an H5N1 Vaccine Working Group to help inform about potential H5N1 vaccination strategies for dairy cattle which may include target populations, vaccination protocols, surveillance frameworks, and communication needs for stakeholders. NMPF has also worked closely with USDA and FDA to monitor and prepare for a potential New World Screwworm infestation. A fact sheet for farmers to know what to look for in their herds and what to do if they suspect a case of NWS on their farm is available online, and NMPF will update members as new information emerges.

How to Read This Newsletter

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

August is when Washington heads out of town, with members of Congress spending the month in their districts and government officials on vacation. There’s still plenty to do — in August NMPF filed comments, surveyed farmers, supported dairy exports and encouraged dairy-related research, among other things — but August also is a month to take stock on what’s been achieved and plan next steps.

The pause also provides an opportunity to sum up some of what we have done on behalf of our members this year so far. This edition of News for Dairy Cooperatives offers a detailed recap of what we’ve been doing to serve our members and advance this industry this year. Thank you for this opportunity to serve.

Dairy is Meeting the MAHA Moment

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

Few topics have gained as much discussion in agriculture in the second Trump administration as the Make America Healthy Again initiative, which this month sent its report on food and agriculture to the president. MAHA is many things, and for dairy it offers opportunities for policies that better align with what nutrition scientists and families already know — that dairy boosts public health and its consumption should be encouraged. But it could also be a double-edged sword for both farmers and consumers — which is why, as MAHA evolves, dairy needs to be ready to support good ideas and educate both policymakers and consumers in ways that benefit everyone it serves.

First: A little bit of a shakeup isn’t a bad thing. Dairy’s been in several decades-long battles that at this point can’t be explained by anything other than bureaucratic inertia. Some examples: Science supports the benefits of dairy at all fat levels, so why not whole milk in schools? Consumer transparency demands that plant-based beverages stop misleadingly using dairy terms to imply nutritional values they don’t have, so why can’t FDA enforce its own Standard of Identity for milk?

MAHA’s energy can break through some of these generations-old policy logjams. It also provides some tangible benefits to dairy consumers and the industry, such as:

  • Potential increased demand for whole-food dairy: MAHA’s emphasis on nutrient-dense “real” foods, including whole milk, could further raise demand for traditional dairy products. Fluid milk, yogurts, and butter are viewed as less processed than their alternatives. Those products are gaining market share — just look at cottage cheese and yogurt in the snack category. MAHA is part of this trend toward consumers shifting away from additive-laden options toward time-tested nutrition.
  • An even greater competitive edge against plant-based alternatives: Many plant-based alternatives rely heavily on synthetic ingredients, making them suspicious to the often-discussed “MAHA moms” who prefer a diet for their children that’s less dependent on products whose labels read like science projects. We’ve been talking about this for years, and the preference for so-called clean labels is yet another competitive advantage for dairy, which already wins on nutrition, cost and taste.
  • A focus on nutritional benefits: Speaking of nutrition — the MAHA conversation provides an opportunity to highlight the essential nutrients present in dairy products, including calcium, vitamins, and bioactive fatty acids. Dairy can be front-and-center in a healthy diet. We can lead the conversation.

MAHA cuts through many of the weeds that have grown up around food policy. At the same time, cutting through bureaucratic weeds shouldn’t hamstring farmer efforts to control actual weeds — you know, the ones that require herbicides. And that’s where the double-edged sword comes in.

  • Education about innovation: As the MAHA discussion continues, agriculture and dairy will need to be very clear in communicating the value modern agriculture provides to U.S. and global consumers. Technology and innovation has made America the world’s agricultural leader — and giving up on any of it without a thorough conversation and understanding the implications of any actions is essential. The administration has pledged to listen to farmers — let’s take them up on that. It’s a conversation to welcome, not to worry about, because agriculture and dairy have a great story to tell.
  • Continued commitment to food safety: The same is true for food safety, in which, again, America is the world’s leader. The impulse to help the small farmer who sells products locally, perhaps even directly, has long been a feature of agricultural policy in both parties. But any moves that create a two-tiered food-safety system will backfire against everyone. It will limit markets for small producers and create massive headaches in trade negotiations, just when agriculture badly needs better deals.

And a final thing to remember:

  • Dairy as an industry doesn’t need to rely on any single policy movement to thrive. Every opportunity MAHA creates for dairy unfortunately will have knee-jerk detractors who will question the administration’s motives, its science, and the legitimacy of its actions, often to score cheap political points at the expense of consumers. It’s just the moment we’re living in. But dairy’s current $10 billion investment opportunity isn’t being driven by Washington headlines. It’s driven by American and global consumers who recognize how dairy helps them, regardless of their ideological orientation. Milk isn’t Democratic or Republican — it’s universal, as household data shows. That’s something to prize in 2025. It should stay that way.

Dairy will do well in any marketplace that’s based on facts, transparency and quality. From the smallest Amish dairies to complex family businesses with thousands of cows — all of which are necessary to make sure that demand is met and preferences are served — the commitment to providing a product that genuinely serves the public is palpable.

MAHA may help create promising opportunities for dairy. It’s one part of an exciting time for the industry. Proactively engaging with policy shifts, embracing positive changes and staying alert for new challenges will be crucial for the dairy industry to thrive in this evolving landscape. We’re ready to do so.

Gregg Doud

President & CEO, NMPF

 

NMPF’s Jonker shares latest on New World screwworm

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

NMPF Chief Science Officer Jamie Jonker explains for listeners of Dairy Radio Now what the New World screwworm is, why dairy producers should be on the lookout for this pest, and what to do if screwworm is suspected in the herd. NMPF’s producer fact sheet on New World screwworm can be found here.

U.S. Dairy: Trade Deal With Europe Must Deliver Real Change

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) welcomed today’s release of the Joint Statement on United States – European Union Framework on an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. U.S. dairy leaders stressed that America can no longer afford to tolerate Europe’s entrenched protectionism, which has cost U.S. dairy farmers billions and stifled real market access. The Framework provides an essential opportunity to address those harms to benefit American dairy farmers and manufacturers.

According to the White House, the new agreement would provide preferential market access for U.S. dairy products and commit to resolving certain non-tariff barriers including streamlining requirements for dairy export certificates. Both elements are vital to improving Transatlantic trade relations.

“U.S. farmers win when competition is fair, but there’s nothing fair about Europe’s system,” said Gregg Doud, president and CEO of NMPF. “An agreement with the EU has the potential to unlock billions in new opportunities for American dairy. To get there, dairy exporters need to see market access opportunities into the EU mirror those the EU already enjoys when it ships butter, cheese and other dairy products into the U.S. market. We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure the EU follows through on delivering results that farmers can see in their milk checks.”

Exports are a lifeline for American dairy farmers, processors, and the rural communities they support. But Europe has turned trade into a one-way street. Trade that is reciprocal, fair and balanced requires leveling the playing field for U.S. exporters including ending the abuse of GIs as disguised protectionism and ensuring that EU tariffs and nontariff barriers do not shut out U.S. producers from selling products that are globally recognized and respected.

“This announcement is an important step in the right direction. America’s dairy farmers are done playing second fiddle in Europe’s rigged system,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “For too long, the EU has wielded tariffs and red tape, and misused geographical indications, as weapons to shut U.S. products out while European exporters enjoyed extensive access to our shelves. That imbalance has saddled us with a staggering $3 billion dairy trade deficit in 2024 alone. We’re pleased that the Administration is working to finally address this imbalance of opportunity.”

Protect your dairy from New World Screwworm

Posted on by Rachel Ravencraft

By Dr. Jamie Jonker, Chief Science Officer

The New World screwworm (NWS), scientifically named Cochliomyia hominivoraxis, is a dangerous pest that can affect livestock and any warm-blooded animal, even humans. This parasitic fly lays its eggs in open wounds, and then the young larvae, often called maggots, feed on the host animal’s living tissue. Recently, NWS has had a resurgence in parts of Central America and Mexico. The United States has taken measures to prevent the spread of screwworm to its borders, but livestock producers should be vigilant about monitoring for this rare threat.

Why is New World screwworm so dangerous?

Many types of flies and maggots feed on dead animal tissue, but the New World screwworm is especially dangerous because NWS maggots use sharp mouth hooks to eat the living tissue of the host. Because of this, untreated wounds will continue to grow and will attract more flies and maggots until the animal is essentially eaten alive.

NWS myiasis, or infestation, occurs when the NWS flies are attracted to open wounds of any kind; animals that have recently given birth, suffered an injury, or had a surgical procedure (such as dehorning or branding) are most at risk. Untreated umbilical cords of newborn animals and foot lesions are commonly infested sites, and even extremely small wounds, like tick bites, are enough to attract NWS flies. Once the flies lay eggs and the larvae hatch, the maggot infestation is extremely painful for the host animal and can be hard to treat. A single infected animal in the herd provides a source for many more flies to infect other animals.

What to do on your farm

Producers should watch for any of these signs in their herds to prevent painful infestation or even death:

  • Presence of fly larvae (maggots) in wounds or other body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals
  • Wounds with bloody discharge and foul odor
  • Signs of pain including depression, irritability, head shaking, not eating, and isolation
  • The smell of decay

Producers who suspect NWS infestation should immediately quarantine affected animals and report the case to their local veterinarian, State Animal Health Official, or USDA. Do not attempt to treat suspected screwworm on your own without first reporting it to a veterinarian or health official.

Fly control measures — such as insecticide use — may help reduce instances on the farm. If NWS infestation is reported in your area, it may be wise to delay or reduce wound-causing procedures.

If your animals are treated for NWS, remember that all treatment options are subject to meat and milk withdrawal times for both lactating and nonlactating cattle. Be sure to keep milk from treated cows out of the bulk tank for as long as the treatment label or your veterinarian recommends, even if it tests negative.

Preventing a nationwide outbreak

Because the NWS can fly and easily move to new hosts, containing NWS spread can be challenging.

The United States officially eliminated NWS in 1966 using the sterile insect technique. This process entails creating a population of sterile flies in a lab and then releasing those flies into the wild, which reduces reproduction until the population eventually dies off.

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is actively working to prevent a NWS infestation in the United States. In the event of an outbreak, USDA and state governments may implement quarantines or movement controls.

Farmer resources

It’s extremely important to stay vigilant — especially with travel and livestock movement — to prevent New World screwworm. Early detection and quick reporting protect herds and the industry. Maintain good biosecurity measures and wound management, and remember that it’s always better safe than sorry: Immediately report any suspicious wounds or potential infestations to your veterinarian.

The National Milk Producers Federation has created an NWS fact sheet for producers, available here.

 

This column originally appeared in Hoard’s Dairyman Intel on Aug. 18, 2025.