Episode 282: New World Screwworm, Plant Closures and Beef in the Food Pyramid

Despite the fact that she’s in the middle of calving season herself, DTN’s Senior Livestock Editor Jennifer Carrico has been simultaneously staying on top of an avalanche of stories affecting U.S. cattle markets here in 2026. Today, she joins us with an update on all the latest, from cattle health to consumer demand and weather. We kick off the conversation with news on ongoing efforts to prevent the New World Screwworm from re-entering the U.S. This pesky pest hasn’t been a problem for producers since the 1960s, but with a specimen found just miles from the U.S. border, USDA officials are beefing up prevention efforts with new facilities, and ranchers along the border remain on edge. We’ll also talk about the growing pressure of a tick-borne disease in the U.S. herd, and hear about how to identify symptoms that are often mis-diagnosed. Then we’ll switch gears to hear about a recent Cargill plant closure, and the USDA’s newly announced “beef on top” food pyramid, and what kinds of impacts both of these events might have on cattle markets. We’ll also hear about the potential impacts of the recent winter storms, especially on more southern cattle producers, and get introduced to the 2026 View from the Range ranchers from Montana and Alberta, Canada. Finally, we’ll hear what Jenn is going to be watching as the season continues– especially evolving drought and wildfire conditions.The Maudes and the U.S. Forest Service: How a Fenceline Dispute Almost Tore a Family Apart