Edinburg, TX – A major investment aimed at protecting America’s food supply chain is now underway in South Texas, where federal officials broke ground Friday, April 17, on a $750 million facility designed to stop a dangerous livestock pest before it spreads.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the project targets the New World screwworm, a parasite that can devastate cattle populations and disrupt meat production if left unchecked. The new facility, built in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic food supply security.
Once operational, the site will produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week, creating a rapid-response system to contain outbreaks before they impact ranchers or consumers. Initial production is expected to begin by November 2027.
The science behind the effort is critical to food stability: sterile male flies are released to mate with females, preventing reproduction and collapsing the pest population over time. This method has been used successfully for decades to protect livestock industries.
Officials say bringing production fully into the U.S. reduces reliance on foreign facilities and allows faster action during emergencies—key factors in maintaining a stable and resilient food supply.
With Texas leading the nation in cattle production, the stakes are high. A widespread screwworm outbreak could ripple through supply chains, raising costs and limiting availability of beef and other products.
