The Georgia Department of Agriculture is urging livestock producers, veterinarians and pet owners to remain alert for signs of the destructive New World Screwworm, even though no cases have been confirmed in Georgia.
The Georgia Department of Agriculture says its Plant Protection team continued efforts in June to track and eradicate the Yellow-Legged Hornet, an invasive species that poses a threat to honeybees and Georgia’s agriculture industry.
According to the department, crews found 125 hornets and eradicated three nests during the month of June.
Agriculture officials say hornet activity increases as temperatures rise. Beekeepers and residents are encouraged to watch for nests and for “hawking” behavior around beehives, where hornets hover near hives and prey on bees.
Anyone who believes they have found a Yellow-Legged Hornet nest in Georgia should contact the Georgia Department of Agriculture at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.
Chattooga County Young Farmers has announced the addition of a new instructor for the upcoming program year. Chris Ramsey has joined the organization after most recently teaching at Rockmart High School for the past two years.
Ramsey holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture, a master’s degree in secondary education, and a specialist degree in career and technical education from Auburn University. Prior to teaching in Georgia, he spent more than 20 years teaching in Alabama.
In addition to his classroom experience, Ramsey operates a farm where he raises beef cattle and pigs. He and his wife have two children, both of whom are studying Agribusiness at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.
Chattooga County Young Farmers officials say they are excited to welcome Ramsey and look forward to the knowledge, energy, and leadership he will bring to the program. Ramsey says he is eager to get started and looks forward to meeting and working with local Young Farmers members.
Georgia is taking steps to slow the loss of farmland as rapid growth continues across the state.
Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper said this week that the Georgia Department of Agriculture is continuing its efforts to track, trap and eradicate the invasive yellow-legged hornet, and he is encouraging residents to help by watching for signs of the destructive insect.
Harper is asking Georgians to be on the lookout for possible secondary nests and to report any suspected sightings to the state.
Residents should watch for hornet activity around beehives, especially during the morning hours before noon and again after 5 PM.
Possible secondary nests may appear as large, round or oval-shaped structures located high in trees or other elevated areas. Officials say the nests are typically gray or brown and made of layered, paper-like material. Depending on temperatures, they may be visible from late summer through winter.
Anyone who believes they have spotted a yellow-legged hornet nest should report the sighting to the Georgia Department of Agriculture by email at yellow.legged.hornet@agr.georgia.gov.
Chattooga County Extension is asking residents to be on the lookout for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect that can cause serious damage to trees, crops, and ornamental plants.
Georgia agriculture officials have expanded animal entry requirements following the detection of New World screwworm in the United States, a livestock pest that was eradicated from the country decades ago.
With temperatures climbing into the 90s and heat index values approaching 100 degrees across Chattooga County and Northwest Georgia, animal owners are being reminded to take extra precautions to protect pets and livestock from dangerous heat-related illnesses.
Livestock producers are being urged to stay alert following the recent confirmation of a New World screwworm case in the United States.
The USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas, on June 3. The CDC says no locally acquired human infestations have been reported in the United States, but the outbreak has been moving northward through Central America and Mexico since 2023, affecting livestock, pets, wildlife, and people.
New World screwworm is a serious pest that can infest wounds in warm-blooded animals. Because of the potential risk to livestock and agriculture, the USDA has released preparedness resources for producers, including current status updates, a U.S. response plan, fact sheets, field identification guides, and additional response materials.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says it also plans to release simplified resources in the coming weeks to help producers better understand the USDA response playbook.
Producers are encouraged to review USDA materials and monitor livestock closely for suspicious wounds or signs of infestation.
Georgia agriculture leaders are continuing efforts to strengthen the state’s farming industry through new business resources and expanded market opportunities.