106. Screwworm 2026: What's Happening, What to Watch, and What to Do with Travis Krause
About this episode
This episode discusses the recent screwworm outbreak in Texas and its implications for ranchers, featuring insights from expert Travis Krause.
With screwworm confirmed in Texas for the first time in decades, producers across the country are asking what it means for their operations. In this special episode of the Ranchonomics Podcast, John Haskell is joined by Travis Krause to separate fact from fiction and explain what ranchers need to know about the outbreak. Travis discusses the biology of screwworm, why it poses such a serious threat to livestock and wildlife, how the sterile fly program has historically controlled its spread, and what producers in affected areas should be doing right now. The conversation also explores how the outbreak could affect cattle movement, biosecurity, and markets across the United States. While producers in South Texas face the greatest immediate impact, John and Travis emphasize that most ranchers should focus on preparation rather than panic. They discuss practical steps for monitoring livestock, documenting animal movements, strengthening biosecurity, and adapting management plans as regulations continue to evolve. Make sure to hit subscribe/follow so you never miss an episode! In this episode, we cover: What screwworm is and why it poses a serious threat to livestock and wildlife How…
More episodes of Ranchonomics
- 107. Don’t Step Over Dollars to Pick up Pennies: Time, Focus & Opportunity Cost with Amos Troester
- Pete Ferrell — Five Generations and a Ranch Worth Fighting For [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 6]
- Josh Lucas — Building a Ranch Without Waiting for the Perfect Opportunity [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 5]
- 105. From Row Crops to Forage Crops: A New Way to Think About Your Acres with Amos Troester
- Ben Habig — 45 Goats, a Rented Duplex, and a Business Nobody Else Was Building [Ranchonomics Stories Ep 4]
- 104. You Can’t Build a Sustainable Ranch on Unsustainable Effort — Josh Lucas
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Ranchonomics podcast page.