Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has closed all ports of entry at the southern border, just days after a phased reopening. It comes as USDA learned of a fresh detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico.
Mexico’s animal safety team confirmed the pest was discovered in a small municipality in Veracruz, which is about 160 miles north of a sterile fly facility and about 400 miles south of the U.S. border.
As a result, Secretary Rollins says all future planned reopenings at the U.S. border are on pause. On Monday, a port of entry reopened in Arizona. In a statement, Rollins said she is closing livestock trade at all southern ports of entry, effective immediately. She wants to see more progress on Mexico’s part in battling New World Screwworm.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is happy with the decision but wants further action at home. CEO Colin Woodall says the Screwworm’s travel north jeopardizes the safety of American agriculture. He is calling for an expedited opening of a sterile fly facility here in the U.S., saying we cannot wait any longer, and he is urging USDA to begin plans as soon as possible. In June, Secretary Rollins announced groundbreaking of that facility at Moore Air Base in south Texas.
Alan Bjerga of the National Milk Producers Federation joined us to discuss the Dairy Margin Coverage program, recent improvements, and what producers need to know ahead of this week’s enrollment deadline.
February 24, 2026 03:01 PM
·
UNL Extension’s Troy Walz discusses the Nebraska Ranch Practicum, where sessions are held, how producers can get involved, and what ranchers can gain from participating in the program.
February 24, 2026 01:16 PM
·
The Ranger Road Fire in the Oklahoma Panhandle is now 65% contained after burning nearly 300,000 acres over the past week. Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance Agency discusses wildfire recovery, livestock insurance considerations, and the importance of preparedness for producers across the Southern Plains.
February 24, 2026 12:28 PM
·
Higher output keeps milk supplies ample, reinforcing expectations for softer dairy prices even as feed costs remain favorable.
February 24, 2026 07:30 AM
·
Singer-songwriter and RanchHER Clare Dunn reflects on the importance of National FFA Week, her time in FFA, and her commitment to advocating for agriculture and rural issues.
February 23, 2026 02:15 PM
·
Border closures tied to the threat of New World Screwworm continue to stall Mexican fed cattle imports, tightening U.S. feeder cattle supplies over time — triggering feedlot closures that hinder herd rebuilding efforts, threaten the beef supply chain, and shrink production while consumer prices stay elevated.
February 23, 2026 01:40 PM
·
Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
February 23, 2026 11:08 AM
·
Domestic beef demand remains solid, with the strongest growth occurring through retail channels, according to consumers surveyed in the latest K-State Meat Demand Monitor.
February 22, 2026 09:00 AM
·
The long-term viability of a ranching operation often hinges on how effectively its owners navigate the overlapping layers of IRS regulations, state tax incentives, and USDA disaster programs.
February 20, 2026 04:43 PM
·
