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New World screwworm was confirmed in a Texas calf, showing the parasite moved north from Central America through Mexico despite barriers that had held it back for decades. The U.S. cattle herd is already at a multi-decade low and record-high beef prices have been driven by the closure of the border to Mexican cattle.
The first U.S. case in this outbreak is a serious challenge for ranchers.
Confirmed domestic spread threatens further supply disruption in an already tight cattle herd, supporting higher live and feeder cattle prices and reinforcing feed demand from feedlots.
reuters.comHeather SchlitzJun 2, 2025After 148 past bullish disease events, Live Cattle moved a median +0.4% over 5 sessions (62% higher; middle half -0.5% to +1.2%), and +1.4% over 20.
After 122 past bullish disease events, Feeder Cattle moved a median +0.4% over 5 sessions (60% higher; middle half -1.0% to +1.6%), and +2.0% over 20.
Moves of each commodity's benchmark from the last close before the event. Historical reads pool past events of the same kind; they describe what happened, not what will. Not investment advice.
The first US screwworm case in a Texas calf (June 2) heightens supply fears on an already low herd and a closed Mexican border, supporting bullish sentiment.
