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The UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine received a two-year, $4.37 million USDA APHIS award under its New World Screwworm Grand Challenge. The project will deploy AI sentinel cameras, a handheld DNA test and a wildlife surveillance network across California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Florida, with outreach into northern Mexico.
USDA has confirmed 79 U.S. animal screwworm cases since June, 25 of them still active.
Early detection of screwworm could limit livestock losses and movement restrictions that tighten cattle supply, supporting feeder and live cattle prices. The spread into U.S. livestock is a bullish supply risk for cattle-based feed demand.
vetmed.ucdavis.eduTrina J WoodNov 3, 2026After 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.
