The Truth About Screw Worms

The Truth About Screw Worms

Author: The One Country Project July 8, 2026 Duration: 34:04

Screw worms nearly disappeared from American ranches sixty years ago. Dr. Eric Deeble, executive director of Americans for the Common Good and former Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at USDA under the Biden Administration, has watched them find their way back, and he joins Heidi and Joel to explain what this parasitic fly means for livestock, trade, and the food supply.

Eric covers the biology behind the outbreak, how fast one infected animal can spread it, and why the fly is finding its way north again. He also gets into a newer technique for breeding sterile flies that could make eradication cheaper this time around.

In this episode:

  • Why screw worms target living tissue and what that means for treatment
  • How a sterile insect technique wiped out the fly from the U.S. the first time
  • What let the fly move north again
  • The economic risk ranchers face from one undetected outbreak
  • How egg sexing could lower the cost of eradication

Resources & Links
 Americans for the Common Good
 

Connect with Eric Deeble on:
LinkedIn

Sixty years of eradication work is unraveling. Eric explains what it'll take to fix that.

The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project. To learn more, visit OneCountryProject.org, or find us on Substack (Onecountryproject.substack.com), and on YouTube, Bluesky, and Facebook (@onecountryproject).

  • (00:00) - - Why screw worm's return matters to agriculture
  • (02:07) - - The fly's lifecycle and herd vulnerability
  • (04:21) - - Myths versus reality on severity
  • (05:43) - - Treatment and quarantine when detected
  • (07:25) - - The cost of eradication and prevention
  • (10:11) - - How reduced global cooperation risks a resurgence
  • (13:22) - - Sterile insect technique: past success, recent setbacks
  • (16:29) - - Climate and animal movement driving the spread north
  • (18:38) - - Regional factors in where screw worm spreads
  • (20:00) - - Funding cuts and the policy fight to maintain control
  • (22:35) - - Consumer safety myths and real risks
  • (24:16) - - Why continued investment in biosecurity matters
  • (27:00) - - Final thoughts: vigilance, cooperation, funding

Heidi Heitkamp, a former U.S. Senator, and her brother Joel, a longtime Midwest radio host, bring a unique perspective to the table in their podcast The Hot Dish. Their dynamic is the engine here-a blend of deep policy knowledge from the halls of Congress and grounded, everyday insight from community radio, all filtered through the familiar and often humorous lens of sibling debate. They sit down with a range of guests, from national newsmakers and elected officials to local policymakers, focusing squarely on the ideas and actions that impact rural communities across America. These aren't dry lectures; they're animated discussions that dig into practical solutions for real challenges, from economic opportunities to infrastructure. Produced by The One Country Project, the conversation on this podcast is as informative as it is engaging, often punctuated by the kind of lively back-and-forth that only a brother and sister can provide. You'll come for the insightful analysis on politics and news, but you'll stay for the authentic and enlightening dialogue that makes complex issues relatable. Each episode serves up a hearty mix of substance and personality, offering listeners a fresh take on the stories that shape the heart of the country.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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