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.
Wayne Cockrell with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association joined us to discuss preparedness, producer awareness, and the industry’s response to New World screwworm concerns.
January 21, 2026 12:00 PM
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Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joined us to review new policies and regulations supporting the dairy industry and what they mean for the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 03:25 PM
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Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
January 20, 2026 02:04 PM
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Livestock strength is carrying the farm economy, while crop margins remain tight and increasingly dependent on risk management and financial discipline.
January 19, 2026 05:00 PM
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Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
January 19, 2026 01:00 PM
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RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
January 17, 2026 05:00 PM
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The Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features a competitive steer showcase highlighting top-quality cattle and the accomplishments of driven youth exhibitors.
January 16, 2026 01:48 PM
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Texas Commissioner of Agriculture Sid Miller joined us to discuss data center expansion, farmland preservation, rural economic impacts, and imminent cattle biosecurity concerns affecting agriculture today.
January 16, 2026 01:28 PM
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