Home / Business and Economy / Texas Plant to Breed Sterile Flies to Combat Cattle Parasites
Texas Plant to Breed Sterile Flies to Combat Cattle Parasites
10 Nov
Summary
- A new plant in Texas will breed sterile flies to combat cattle parasites.
- The sterile insect technique aims to curb flesh-eating screwworm fly spread.
- The facility, costing over $600 million, starts operations in Spring 2027.
A significant initiative is underway in Texas to combat a severe agricultural threat. US authorities are investing over $600 million to construct a plant dedicated to breeding sterile insects, specifically flies that cannot reproduce. This advanced technique is designed to control the proliferation of flesh-eating screwworm flies, parasites known to affect livestock such as cattle, sheep, and even dogs.
The new facility is projected to commence operations in the spring of 2027. This development is critical as the United States currently lacks established sterile fly breeding capabilities. To address this gap and prevent a potential epidemic among livestock, Washington is actively collaborating with Panama and Mexico. The potential economic impact of a widespread screwworm outbreak is estimated to be several billion dollars for US agriculture.
Construction of this vital facility was initiated earlier, with the Pentagon announcing a $610 million contract in March 2026 for its development. The construction work in Texas is expected to continue through December 2028, underscoring the long-term commitment to safeguarding the nation's agricultural sector from this persistent pest.
