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.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
November 21, 2025 07:02 PM
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Screwworm.gov has targeted resources for a wide range of stakeholders, including livestock producers, veterinarians, animal health officials, wildlife professionals, healthcare providers, pet owners, researchers, drug manufacturers, and the general public.
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Sen. Roger Marshall discusses the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act and what expanded milk options could mean for students and dairy farmers. Industry groups say it is a win for student nutrition and dairy producers.
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Crop producers face tightening credit and lower incomes, while strong cattle markets continue to stabilize finances in livestock-heavy regions.
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An outbreak of Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) first appeared after livestock events in Texas and Arizona, and some horses have already died.
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Early Cattle-on-Feed estimates point to slightly tighter cattle supplies, reinforcing the need to monitor prices and timing for winter marketing.
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