Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Georgia's agricultural leaders aren't waiting for the New World Screwworm to arrive — they're preparing now. Ray D'Alessio sits down with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper for a frank conversation about the state's response to one of the most serious livestock pest threats facing the Southeast.
Commissioner Harper says the Georgia Department of Agriculture has been preparing for this scenario for more than a year, and with the screwworm's documented progression through Central America and Mexico, officials have shifted their mindset from "if" to "when." The good news? America has defeated NWS before — and Harper is confident it can be done again.
He points to several critical advantages today that didn't exist during the original eradication effort decades ago — most notably technology and the speed of information. The ability to rapidly distribute warnings and guidance to producers across the state, detect cases more quickly, and coordinate between agencies gives response teams a significant edge. The fast-tracked expansion of the Sterile Fly facility in Texas is also a key part of the national strategy to slow the spread before it reaches Georgia's livestock herds.
But Harper is clear that the first line of defense starts on the farm. Producers should be actively monitoring their livestock for the warning signs of NWS infestation — open wounds, unusual drainage, foul odors, or signs of maggots in or around an injury. Early detection and immediate reporting to a veterinarian or state animal health officials are critical to containing any potential outbreak before it spreads.
Don't wait. Know the signs. Report early.
Georgia's agricultural leaders aren't waiting for the New World Screwworm to arrive — they're preparing now. Ray D'Alessio sits down with Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper for a frank conversation about the state's response to one of the most serious livestock pest threats facing the Southeast.
Commissioner Harper says the Georgia Department of Agriculture has been preparing for this scenario for more than a year, and with the screwworm's documented progression through Central America and Mexico, officials have shifted their mindset from "if" to "when." The good news? America has defeated NWS before — and Harper is confident it can be done again.
He points to several critical advantages today that didn't exist during the original eradication effort decades ago — most notably technology and the speed of information. The ability to rapidly distribute warnings and guidance to producers across the state, detect cases more quickly, and coordinate between agencies gives response teams a significant edge. The fast-tracked expansion of the Sterile Fly facility in Texas is also a key part of the national strategy to slow the spread before it reaches Georgia's livestock herds.
But Harper is clear that the first line of defense starts on the farm. Producers should be actively monitoring their livestock for the warning signs of NWS infestation — open wounds, unusual drainage, foul odors, or signs of maggots in or around an injury. Early detection and immediate reporting to a veterinarian or state animal health officials are critical to containing any potential outbreak before it spreads.
Don't wait. Know the signs. Report early.
