This is absolutely a significant threat to the American cattle industry and has the potential to further raise beef prices at the grocery store. Cattle is a $15 billion industry in Kansas. The Economic Research Service has estimated that an isolated outbreak [of screwworm] would cost producers $732 million per year and cause $1.8 billion in losses. Yesterday, when confirming the New World screwworm case in Texas, I have to say I was struck by your use of the phrase as expected in the USDA post on X. (01:34–01:45)
CLAIM
Asserts that an isolated screwworm outbreak could cost $732 million annually and $1.8 billion in total losses.
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