The markets are ready for the U.S. border to reopen today for shipments of cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico. Imports to the U.S. were shut down in early May on concerns of New World Screwworm.
Today’s reopening is part of a phased plan by the USDA. Right now, the crossing in Douglas, Arizona, poses the lowest risk, according to the Department. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says after the crossing reopens in Arizona, the Department will reevaluate to make sure no cases of the disease resurface.
Other parts of the USDA’s plan include reopening the Moore Air Base in South Texas as a sterile fly facility. The U.S. currently has a sterile fly facility in Panama and is retrofitting a facility in Mexico to produce sterile flies. Officials in Texas are dispersing fly traps along the Rio Grande to monitor the pest.
Douglas, Arizona, is just one of five crossings on the calendar to reopen this year. Later this month, crossings in Columbus and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, are set to open. Then, in August, crossings in Del Rio, Texas, are scheduled to resume, and in mid-September, the crossing in Laredo, Texas, could get the all-clear. All of these reopenings are dependent on the current cases of New World Screwworm.
An import lag for ground beef will likely look different than last year’s egg shortage. The difference comes down to biosecurity and market flexibility.
November 03, 2025 12:07 PM
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Texas A&M livestock economist Dr. David Anderson joins Tony St. James to discuss the geopolitical tensions and U.S.-Mexico border closure that are leading to sharp swings in the cattle market.
October 31, 2025 12:50 PM
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Expect firm calf and fed-cattle prices — pair selective heifer retention with prudent hedging and liquidity to bridge rebuilding costs.
October 17, 2025 04:54 PM
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Peel says Mexico has a much greater capability to expand its beef industry than it did 20 or 30 years ago in terms of its feeding and packing infrastructure.
October 16, 2025 03:59 PM
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“USDA can no longer keep wasting its time and personnel to deploy Commissioner Miller’s infamous traps, which USDA has deployed, tested, and has proven ineffective.”
October 14, 2025 01:19 PM
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“Good flies? Is that like a good fire ant?” Miller said. “I don’t know what a good fly is. I don’t know if they’re afraid to kill house flies or stable flies, but I’m ready to kill the screwworm fly.”
October 13, 2025 01:28 PM
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Large animal veterinarian Dr. Rosalyn Biggs with Oklahoma State University warns producers may not be prepared for the real threat of New World Screwworm.
October 09, 2025 01:10 PM
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Mexico’s tougher, two-step treatment and added checkpoints are catching cases before they can spread—good news for producers near the border.
October 07, 2025 10:55 AM
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October 01, 2025 10:02 AM
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