Title: UC Davis Project Funded Through USDA Screwworm Initiative

Back in January, USDA launched its New World Screwworm Grand Challenge, a nationwide effort to accelerate new tools for detection, control, and eradication of the pest. Now, as New World screwworm cases in the United States have reached double digits, the agency is announcing where much of that funding will go.

USDA says 40 projects will receive a combined total of about $105 million through the initiative. The agency also notes that work is already underway on two additional USDA-funded projects that are part of the Grand Challenge.

While New World screwworm is often associated with cattle, recent U.S. cases have also involved sheep, goats, and a dog.

California is among the states receiving support. The UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine was selected for a project titled “Smart Surveillance for Screwworm: Deploying Cutting-Edge Detection Technologies Across State Networks,” focused on strengthening detection capabilities and surveillance efforts.

The funding announcement also highlights some of the innovative approaches being explored nationwide, including a University of Pennsylvania project evaluating detection dogs as a surveillance tool for locating soil-stage New World screwworm using proxy species.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association is also receiving support to develop producer identification training modules and public relations resources.