# Cattlemen's Column: Responding to pasture mealybug

> Texas ranchers and hay producers have faced spreading forage loss since spring 2025 from the pasture mealybug, an introduced pest confirmed in 79 Texas counties. Texas AgriLife researchers estimate it threatens more than 20 million acres, potentially nearly 36 million if established in 56 at-risk counties. Few pesticides were labeled for control until recently.

- Date: 2026-11-11 · published 2026-11-12T03:09:08.469Z
- Category: disease · region US · magnitude medium
- Page: https://feedsoft.ai/events/94800-cattlemen-s-column-responding-to-pasture-mealybug
- Commodities: [Grass Hay](https://feedsoft.ai/c/GRASSHAY.md), [Alfalfa Hay](https://feedsoft.ai/c/ALFALFA.md), [Live Cattle](https://feedsoft.ai/c/LCATTLE.md)

## Why it matters

A pest threatening warm-season pasture and hay across Texas could cut forage supply and push up hay and grass hay prices, which tightens feed costs for cattle and livestock buyers.

## Read by commodity

- ALFALFA: bullish ▲
- LCATTLE: neutral
- GRASSHAY: bullish ▲

## Similar past events

| Commodity | Date | Event | 5-day % | 20-day % |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LCATTLE | 2024-04-11 | [States Restrict Dairy Cattle Movement - Zia Commodities, LLC](https://feedsoft.ai/events/30682-states-restrict-dairy-cattle-movement-zia-commodities-llc.md) | -0.0% | -0.7% |
| LCATTLE | 2024-03-25 | [US, Mexico reach deal to continue cattle imports \| Latest Market News](https://feedsoft.ai/events/31160-us-mexico-reach-deal-to-continue-cattle-imports-latest-market-news.md) | -1.8% | -2.3% |
| LCATTLE | 2025-12-09 | [FDA approves Merck drug for decimated cattle herds to stop screwworm](https://feedsoft.ai/events/21455-fda-approves-merck-drug-for-decimated-cattle-herds-to-stop-screwworm.md) | +2.3% | +3.9% |
| LCATTLE | 2024-04-19 | [Strong cattle market fundamentals remain but expect 'jittery' futures markets - Agweek \| #1 source for agriculture news, farming, markets](https://feedsoft.ai/events/30860-strong-cattle-market-fundamentals-remain-but-expect-jittery-futures-markets.md) | +0.4% | -0.0% |
| LCATTLE | 2022-02-25 | [Australian biosecurity working to protect cattle from lumpy skin disease - Beef Central](https://feedsoft.ai/events/42656-australian-biosecurity-working-to-protect-cattle-from-lumpy-skin-disease-beef.md) | -0.5% | -1.5% |

## Sources

- sansabanews.com: https://www.sansabanews.com/news/cattlemens-column-responding-pasture-mealybug

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Data from Feedsoft AI (https://feedsoft.ai/). For information only; not investment advice.