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.
The Pennsylvania Farm Show continues through Saturday, wrapping up another successful year of celebrating agriculture in the Commonwealth.
January 16, 2026 01:26 PM
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January 16, 2026 09:57 AM
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Congressman Dusty Johnson of South Dakota joined us to discuss key ag policy developments and his outlook for agriculture in 2026.
January 15, 2026 12:51 PM
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Tight beef cow supplies and steady demand point to continued record-level cull cow prices in 2026.
January 15, 2026 11:23 AM
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Expanded school access to whole milk provides modest but reliable demand support for U.S. dairy producers.
January 15, 2026 10:14 AM
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RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey reports from Texas on the ongoing water dispute and its implications for U.S. farmers.
January 14, 2026 12:17 PM
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The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
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A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
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Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
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