Is livestock disease threatening beef supply during a cattle shortage?
Core argument: Screwworm parasites in major cattle-producing states lead to higher veterinary costs and potential herd culling, reducing beef supply availability.
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed an additional two cases of New World screwworm in Texas, bringing the total number of detections to four and raising concerns that the parasite is spreading in the biggest cattle-producing state. The parasitic fly was detected in a calf in La Salle County and a dog in Andrews County; early reports indicate the dog was recently in Mexico. [The screwworm brings] more worries for a US beef industry already struggling with supply tightness as the domestic herd has dwindled to a 75-year low.

