Oregon Department of Agriculture

2026 is International Year of the Woman Farmer and in celebration of that, ODA is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Oregon women whose hard work powers our communities and beyond.

Meet Maud Powell, who is a writer, farmer, speaker, facilitator, and professor in Oregon State University’s Small Farms Program. Drawing on her own experience with drought and climate-related challenges in farming, Powell conducts workshops across Oregon and the United States for individuals affected by climate change. These workshops are among the first of their kind and have received national recognition.

Learn more about Powell -- and/or nominate a woman farmer in your life to be featured by ODA throughout 2026 -- by visiting our web site: https://oda.direct/IYWF

Daily animal checks really matter! USDA has received 454 suspect case submissions since June 3 from Texas with only 44 confirmed NWS cases in the state to date.

Watch for signs that something’s not right:

☑️Maggots or egg clusters in wounds or body openings

☑️Foul or decaying smell

☑️Changes in behavior - irritation, isolation, or lack of appetite

A tick bite, ear‑tag site, wire scratch, or the navel of a newborn animal can all become entry points for NWS. Look closely at every part of the animal, especially healing spots or areas prone to cuts.

Staying alert is one of the strongest defenses against New World screwworm.

➡️ http://Screwworm.gov

Wildfire season is here. Now’s the time to prepare. Make sure you have a plan and know the air quality resources available.

Stay up to date on alerts for your area by checking:
• Oregonsmoke.org
• The Oregon DEQ Air Quality Index map aqi.oregon.gov
• Download the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.

For more information on protecting your health during wildfires, visit healthoregon.org/wildfires

And remember, to find clean air shelters near you during wildfire emergencies, call 211 or visit 211info.org and enter “Wildfire Related Clean Air Shelters”.

We are pleased to announce that the Oregon State Police Wildlife Division recognized Oregon State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz for his significant contributions to the recent West Coast Game Park operation. This multi-day initiative prioritized animal safety and care, with Dr. Scholz providing essential support.

The Wildlife Division shared that the operation "would not have been the success it was without Dr. Scholz's expertise and leadership throughout the multi-day operation."

Dr. Scholz’s guidance ensured both that animals received proper care and that partner agencies had the expertise required to fulfill their roles. We appreciate his leadership and dedication to animal health in Oregon.

Congratulations 🎉 to Dr. Scholz on this well‑deserved acknowledgment! Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Oregon Veterinary Medical Association Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine - Oregon State University

Sterile Insect Technique Is Safe.

Releasing sterile flies is safe, environmentally friendly, and a sustainable, nontoxic alternative to chemical pesticides.

Only New World screwworm larvae - not adult flies - cause damage to animals. Sterile flies do not produce larvae, so they pose no risk to livestock, wildlife, pets, or people.
The sterile males mate with wild females and prevent them from laying eggs that hatch, breaking the life cycle.

Learn more: http://Screwworm.gov

Classical scrapie has been confirmed in an Oregon sheep through routine surveillance. The animal was tested as part of USDA's ongoing national scrapie surveillance program, which is designed to identify classical scrapie in sheep and goats at slaughter facilities.

There is no known risk to people, and most Oregon producers are not affected.

ODA and USDA are investigating the flock of origin as part of the national effort to eradicate scrapie. Before this confirmation, the Unites States had gone more than 5 years without a case. USDA expects minimal impact on trade and products like wool remain unaffected.

Producers: Please take these steps --
• Keep official animal ID up to date
• Watch for neurological or behavioral signs
• Contact your veterinarian immediately if concerned (Scrapie is reportable in Oregon: 503-986-4711)
• Ask your vet about breeding for scrapie-resistant genetics

More information about Scrapie is available at: https://oda.direct/scrapie and www.aphis.usda.gov

See the full article of this announcement here: https://apps.oregon.gov/oregon-newsroom/OR/ODA/Posts/Post/Classical-Scrapie-Confirmed-in-Oregon-Sheep-Through-Routine-Surveillance

There is currently a smoke plume in the Sublimity area. This is not a permitted burn by ODA’s Smoke Program. We are looking into this. Sublimity Fire District

2026 is International Year of the Woman Farmer and in celebration of that, ODA is thrilled to shine a spotlight on Oregon women whose hard work powers our communities and beyond.

Meet Kjer Kizer, who was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Oregon FFA Association in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience in agriculture advocacy, education, and leadership development. In her position, she champions nearly 16,000 FFA student members across 124 Oregon high school chapters, inspiring career exploration and raising awareness about rural mental health.

Learn more about Kizer -- and/or nominate a woman farmer in your life to be featured by ODA throughout 2026 -- by visiting our web site: https://oda.direct/IYWF