USDA Offers $100M To Fight Screwworm & Select Sires Sale

Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast
Episode Title: USDA Offers $100M To Fight Screwworm & Select Sires Sale
Release Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner
Theme:
This episode focuses on pressing issues and opportunities in the ranching world, especially innovations targeting the New World screwworm threat and major cattle sales and breeding programs. Tigger covers government initiatives, a new product launch, and industry sales—keeping ranchers informed on both health threats and market opportunities.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Ellingson Angus Real World Genetic Sale

[00:04-00:33]

• Details of the Sale:

  • 1,240 head total for sale, making it a “massive” event.
  • Breakdown: 355 yearling & 18-month-old bulls, 47 bred heifers from Ellingson’s top program, over 750 head of commercial open/bred heifers, and three-year-old cows.
  • Date: February 7th, at the ranch in St. Anthony, North Dakota.
  • Sales information available at ranchchannel.com and EllingsonAngus.com.

• Tigger’s Note:

  • The sale is presented as a significant opportunity for innovative genetics and high-quality cattle.

Quote:

“This one is massive. 1240 head. Here’s the lineup: 355 yearling and 18-month-old bulls, 47 bred heifers straight from the very top of the Ellingson program, and over 750 head of commercial open and bred heifers and a Fancy set of three-year-old cows.” — Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt [00:06]

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2. The Sale Series Launch on Ranch Channel

[00:33-00:52]

• New Offering:
  • “The Sale Series”—an initiative evolving how producers connect with elite livestock, breeding operations, and agricultural innovations.
  • Includes access to top-end bulls, heifers, horses, land, equipment, and ag products.
  • Serves as a digital hub for “smart ranching.”
  • Contact information: inforanchchannel.com.

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3. USDA $100 Million Grant to Combat New World Screwworm

[00:52-01:42]

• Major Announcement:

  • USDA’s APHIS offers up to $100 million for innovations addressing the resurgence of the New World screwworm.
  • The initiative is called the “New World Screwworm Grand Challenge.”

• Background Context:

  • Decades-long U.S.-led eradication efforts kept screwworm below Panama; in 2022 and late 2024, outbreaks occurred in southern Mexico.
  • USDA’s response reflects concerns for food supply, economy, and animal health.

Quote:

“The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, is offering up to $100 million for innovations to help and eradicate the New World screwworm infestation that has moved north through Mexico to threaten U.S. border regions.” — Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt [00:33]

• Import Impacts:
  • U.S. has blocked livestock imports since May, affecting 1.25 million head in 2024.

Quote:

“Due to the screwworm threat, the US has been closed to livestock since May, blocking cattle imports that in 2024 reached 1.25 million head.” — Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt [01:23]

• Eradication Techniques Highlighted:
  • Past efforts included mass releases of sterilized male flies to prevent breeding.
  • Grant applications for new ideas are open until February 23rd.

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4. New Medical Solution from Merck Animal Health

[01:42-01:56]

• Product Announcement:
  • Merck Animal Health launches a product approved for prevention/treatment of New World screwworm and control of cattle fever tick.
  • Tigger hints at a future interview with Merck representatives for deeper details.

Quote:

“Merck Animal Health has recently come out with a new product that they say has been approved for both the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm and the treatment and control of cattle fever tick.” — Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt [01:43]

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5. Select Sires Early SP Sale

[01:56-02:20]

• Breeding Opportunity:
  • Early sale on Select Sires’ “SP select bulls” runs until March 1st.
  • Includes discounts on Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Charolais, and Hereford bulls (notably ‘Redbird’).
  • Direct links provided in show notes for more information.

Quote:

“Select Sires is having an early SP select bulls from now up until March 1st. A lot of savings to be had. There’s a number of Angus bulls, some Red Angus bulls in there, a couple of semi bulls, a Charolais bull and the Hereford bull Redbird, all having big discounts per straw.” — Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt [01:57]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the scale of the Ellingson Angus sale:
  “This one is massive. 1240 head...”—Tigger [00:06]

• On screwworm threat and USDA action:
  “The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, is offering up to $100 million for innovations to help and eradicate the New World screwworm...”—Tigger [00:33]

• On Merck’s new animal health solution:
  “Merck Animal Health has recently come out with a new product that they say has been approved for both the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm and the treatment and control of cattle fever tick.”—Tigger [01:43]

• On the Select Sires sale savings:
  “A lot of savings to be had. There’s a number of Angus bulls...all having big discounts per straw.”—Tigger [01:57]

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Key Timestamps

• [00:04] Ellingson Angus Real World Genetic Sale details
• [00:33] Introduction of “The Sale Series” and USDA announcement
• [00:52] Background and current threat of New World screwworm
• [01:43] Merck’s new animal health product for screwworm
• [01:57] Select Sires early breeding sale and discounts

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Summary

This episode provides essential updates for ranchers and livestock producers: from major sales events and breeding opportunities to cutting-edge animal health solutions and federal initiatives combating invasive pests. Tigger’s energetic delivery packs in actionable insights and timely information relevant to the working ranch community, helping them navigate current industry challenges and opportunities.

Transcript

[A]

Yo Ranch it up. Heard it here. Weekly recap is up right after this.

[B]

Ellingson Angus presents the Real World Genetic Sale and this one is massive. 1240 head. Here's the lineup. 355 yearling and 18 month old bulls, 47 bred heifers straight from the very top of the Ellingson program and over 750 head of commercial open and bred heifers and a Fancy set of three year old cows. February 7th at the ranch in St. Anthony, North Dakota. Head to ranch channel.com and Ellingson Angus.com Ellingson Angus Real World Jeanette.

[A]

Coming soon to ranch channel.com the Sale series the evolution of how producers connect with elite livestock and proven operations from top end bulls, heifers and horses to land equipment, products and programs shaping the future of agriculture. The Sales series Where smart ranching starts. Find out more by emailing inforanchchannel.com the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS, is offering up to $100 million for innovations to help and eradicate the New World screwworm infestation that has moved north through Mexico to threaten U.S. border regions. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency is looking for the kinds of innovations that will help stay ahead of this pest and protect our food supply and our economy in an announcement dubbed the Grant Initiative the New World Screwworm Grand Challenge. Grant applications are open until February 23rd. The livestock pest, which was pushed out of the southwestern part of the United States and then Mexico and Central America through decades of concerted U S led multinational eradication work included large scale releases of sterilized males to thwart breeding by female flies. Screwworm has been contained below the Isthmus of Panama since the early 2000s, but in 2022 the flies began appearing further north and in late 2024 were first spotted again in southern Mexico. Due to the screwworm threat, the US has been closed to livestock since May, blocking cattle imports that in 2024 reached 1.25 million head. Merck Animal Health has recently come out with a new product that they say has been approved for both the prevention and treatment of New World Screwworm and the treatment and control of cattle fever tick. Now I will be visiting with representatives from Merck in the very near future about that particular product and those of you looking to get a jump start on breeding season. Select Sires is having an early SP select bulls from now up until March 1st. A lot of savings to be had. There's a number of Angus bulls, some Red Angus bulls in there, a couple of semi bulls, a Charolais bull and the Hereford bull Redbird, all having big discounts per straw. Just head to ranchitupshow.com we have the direct link in the show notes for this episode and that is your ranch it Up. Heard it here Weekly recap.