USDA's Kerrville laboratory builds AI models that pick where, when and how many sterile flies to release against New World screwworm
The USDA Agricultural Research Service says it is managing New World screwworm with predictive models. It says the models use advanced analytic tools and artificial intelligence to read ecological, environmental and historical information. USDA uses what the models show to choose the locations, timing and number of sterile flies to release. The models also guide where aircraft, fly traps and surveillance go. Kim Lohmeyer directs the agency's Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville and says the models already select areas for surveillance, trapping and sterile fly releases. Lohmeyer also says the models can't predict every scenario, especially people moving infested animals. KRGV reports USDA saying its drones have flown across Texas more than 2,000 times since June. The flights observed more than 36,000 animals and found no screwworm cases. USDA officials told the station the drones are not foolproof and use artificial intelligence to inspect animal wounds. Neither source gives an accuracy figure for the models or the drones. The Texas Animal Health Commission counts 43 premises in 17 Texas counties with a confirmed detection, the first in a Zavala County calf on June 3rd. The drones' count of no cases covers only what the flights observed. An agency page last modified July 31st says USDA's dispersal facility in Edinburg deploys more than 80 million sterile flies a week over Texas and Mexico. The commission keeps movement restrictions in place across an established infested zone.
How to take part
The Texas Animal Health Commission says screwworm is reportable and should be reported within 24 hours of suspicion. Suspected cases in livestock and pets go to a commission region office or its veterinarian on call at 1-800-550-8242. USDA also asks anyone who spots signs of infestation to report it through its New World screwworm reporting page. Livestock owners are told never to move an animal that shows signs of infestation.
Where
Statewide. This decision applies across Texas rather than to a named county.
Timeline
- filed
KRGV report of USDA's drone flight and animal counts
- Today
How this decision moved
One dated line per check, oldest first. A line that says nothing changed means somebody looked and it had not.
- 2026-10-18
Admitted on the research service's own page and KRGV's report of USDA's drone counts. No case found is the result the drones report, and neither source gives an accuracy figure.
The evidence
Every fact above rests on one of these. The words are the source's own.
Predictive models use advanced analytic tools and artificial intelligence (AI) to interpret ecological, environmental, and historical information to predict where New World screwworm is likely to become established and the potential pathways it may follow to spread.USDA Agricultural Research Service, Tracking the Path of New World Screwworm Primary source, official · ars.usda.gov
USDA uses insights from the models to identify optimal locations, timing, and the number of sterile flies to release for the most effective application, to interrupt their reproductive cycle and spread.USDA Agricultural Research Service, Tracking the Path of New World Screwworm Primary source, official · ars.usda.gov
are already being utilized to select areas for increased livestock and wildlife surveillance, adult fly trapping, and for implementing SITUSDA Agricultural Research Service, Tracking the Path of New World Screwworm Primary source, official · ars.usda.gov
However, these models cannot predict every scenario, especially those impacted by unpredictable variables like people transporting infested animals.USDA Agricultural Research Service, Tracking the Path of New World Screwworm Primary source, official · ars.usda.gov
said Kim Lohmeyer, Director of the ARS Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville, TXUSDA Agricultural Research Service, Tracking the Path of New World Screwworm Primary source, official · ars.usda.gov
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says it has flown drones across Texas more than 2,000 times since June to look for the New World screwworm.KRGV, No screwworm cases found after USDA conducts 2,000 drone flights over Texas, October 12th, 2026 Journalism · krgv.com
The USDA said it observed more than 36,000 animals and found no screwworm cases.KRGV, No screwworm cases found after USDA conducts 2,000 drone flights over Texas, October 12th, 2026 Journalism · krgv.com
USDA officials said drones are not foolproof for detecting screwworms, but they use artificial intelligence to inspect animal wounds more effectively.KRGV, No screwworm cases found after USDA conducts 2,000 drone flights over Texas, October 12th, 2026 Journalism · krgv.com
If you spot signs of New World screwworm infestation in animals, report it to the appropriate responding official by visiting the USDA New World screwworm reporting pageUSDA Agricultural Research Service, Tracking the Path of New World Screwworm Primary source, official · ars.usda.gov
On June 3, 2026, New World screwworm (NWS) was confirmed in a calf in Zavala County, Texas.Texas Animal Health Commission, New World Screwworm Primary source, official · tahc.texas.gov
Total Texas counties with a confirmed NWS detection: 17Texas Animal Health Commission, New World Screwworm Primary source, official · tahc.texas.gov
Total Texas premises confirmed with at least one NWS detection: 43Texas Animal Health Commission, New World Screwworm Primary source, official · tahc.texas.gov
This $8.5 million facility is now used to deploy more than 80 million sterile flies per week over Texas and Mexico.APHIS, New World Screwworm Response Primary source, official · aphis.usda.gov
There are currently movement restrictions in place due to an established New World Screwworm Infested Zone in parts of the following Texas counties: Brewster, Crockett, Edwards, Jeff Davis, Pecos, Presidio, Schleicher, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Val Verde, Zapata.Texas Animal Health Commission, New World Screwworm Primary source, official · tahc.texas.gov
NWS is reportable to the TAHC and should be reported within 24 hours of suspicion.Texas Animal Health Commission, New World Screwworm Primary source, official · tahc.texas.gov
Report suspected cases in livestock and companion animals: TAHC — Region Office or the Veterinarian on Call 1-800-550-8242.Texas Animal Health Commission, New World Screwworm Primary source, official · tahc.texas.gov
Questions about this decision
Answered from the record itself. Every answer is assembled from stored fields, so an answer the record has no basis for is left out rather than guessed.
What is this decision?
The USDA Agricultural Research Service says it is managing New World screwworm with predictive models. It says the models use advanced analytic tools and artificial intelligence to read ecological, environmental and historical information. USDA uses what the models show to choose the locations, timing and number of sterile flies to release. The models also guide where aircraft, fly traps and surveillance go. Kim Lohmeyer directs the agency's Knipling-Bushland Livestock Insects Research Laboratory in Kerrville and says the models already select areas for surveillance, trapping and sterile fly releases. Lohmeyer also says the models can't predict every scenario, especially people moving infested animals. KRGV reports USDA saying its drones have flown across Texas more than 2,000 times since June. The flights observed more than 36,000 animals and found no screwworm cases. USDA officials told the station the drones are not foolproof and use artificial intelligence to inspect animal wounds. Neither source gives an accuracy figure for the models or the drones. The Texas Animal Health Commission counts 43 premises in 17 Texas counties with a confirmed detection, the first in a Zavala County calf on June 3rd. The drones' count of no cases covers only what the flights observed. An agency page last modified July 31st says USDA's dispersal facility in Edinburg deploys more than 80 million sterile flies a week over Texas and Mexico. The commission keeps movement restrictions in place across an established infested zone.
Who decides it?
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service decides. The record names the deciding body for every entry it carries.
Can the public take part?
The Texas Animal Health Commission says screwworm is reportable and should be reported within 24 hours of suspicion. Suspected cases in livestock and pets go to a commission region office or its veterinarian on call at 1-800-550-8242. USDA also asks anyone who spots signs of infestation to report it through its New World screwworm reporting page. Livestock owners are told never to move an animal that shows signs of infestation. No dated public window is on the record. The deciding body is named and reachable.
Where in Texas does it apply?
It applies statewide.
Has it been decided?
It has been decided. The dates on the item page carry when.
What happens next?
No future date is on the record. The last dated step on it was filed on October 12th.
When did it start?
The earliest date on its record is October 12th, 2026.
What kind of decision is it?
It is filed under research and science.
What sources back it?
Four sources back it. Three of them are primary.
When was it last checked?
Every fact on it was last verified against its source on October 18th, 2026.
Cite this
Texas AI Docket, USDA's Kerrville laboratory builds AI models that pick where, when and how many sterile flies to release against New World screwworm. Tracked since October 12th, 2026. Last verified October 18th, 2026. https://texasaidocket.com/item/tx-2026-0218/. Reuse permitted under CC BY 4.0 with attribution. The same entry is in the docket JSON as item tx-2026-0218.
Beat
Filed under Research and science, with every other decision on that beat.