U.S.-Mexico Border Closure Hits Feed Lots Hard

Texas Cattle Feeders Association Chairman Robby Kirkland explains how the ongoing U.S.-Mexico border closure impacts feed yards that rely on Mexican cattle due to the New World Screwworm.

VEGA, TEXAS (RFD-TV) — Texas and New Mexico feed yards are facing slim inventories as the U.S.-Mexico border remains closed to cattle. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins traveled to Mexico City earlier this week for a meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and ag leaders. While the meeting reportedly went very well, no timeline has been set to resume imports.

Texas Cattle Feeders Association Chairman Robby Kirkland joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss how the closure has affected feed yards that rely on Mexican cattle to fill their lots.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Kirkland shared producer sentiment following the meeting between U.S. and Mexican officials, as many await news on when trade may resume — and how the most recent case of New World Screwworm, detected roughly 170 miles south of the U.S. border, could continue to stall those reopening efforts.

Kirkland also addressed the current state of the cattle industry amid the closure, noting historically tight cattle supplies and domestic calf numbers that continue to fall short of feedlot capacity.

Related Stories
The Summit Cup is the fourth and final event in the Major League Fishing Team Series. Catch the action live on RFD-TV, starting on Sunday, November 16.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share his perspective on what the bill could mean for truckers.
Here is a regional snapshot of harvest pace, crop conditions, logistics, and livestock economics across U.S. agriculture for the week of Monday, Nov. 10, 2025.
The DOJ’s new antitrust probe could reshape beef-packer behavior, with potential impacts on fed-cattle prices, processor margins, and long-term competition across the supply chain.
Mike Newland with the Propane Education & Research Council shares how producers can prepare for winter weather and the benefits of propane.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

FarmHER Erin Cumings shares how Nationwide’s “Every STEP Counts” helps farm and agribusiness owners prioritize safety.
The idea of buying more beef from Argentina does not sit well with much of farm country, raising some questions from analysts and producers.
As we continue our Countdown to Convention presented by Culver’s, we meet some of the people who help bring the event to life.
Shaun Haney, Host of RealAg Radio, discusses President Trump’s move to halt trade talks with Canada and Mexico over a commercial about tariffs launched by the Government of Ontario.
Input costs are top of mind for farmers, as they contribute to higher prices and smaller profits.
The President’s trip to Asia this week follows a trade mission by the Iowa Soybean Association. Farmers say they were reminded that U.S. soybeans have an international reputation that can be easy to take for granted here at home.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.