USDA spends $25M on Arizona screwworm fly dispersal facility Site near border port supports phased cattle import resumption30 July 2026 30 July 2026 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media North AmericaThe US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will spend $25 million on a facility in Arizona to disperse sterile flies used to combat the flesh-eating livestock pest New World screwworm, Reuters reported, citing the agency on Wednesday. The ban on Mexican cattle helped push US beef prices to record highs, hurting consumers and putting pressure on President Donald Trump's administration to lower costs. The most effective tool against screwworm is sterile flies, according to the USDA. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs sent a letter to the agency on Wednesday that proposed a dispersal facility for them in Douglas, Arizona, according to a post on X. The agency is constructing a $750 million production plant for sterile flies in Texas.