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
Lawmakers from Texas and Tennessee outline priorities for USMCA renegotiations, focusing on tariffs, China trade concerns, beef prices, and stability for U.S. agriculture.
Slightly higher sales amid shrinking acreage and inventories point to tighter supplies supporting catfish prices.
Winter Weather Shapes Markets and Early Fieldwork Nationwide
Tight storage could widen basis and limit marketing flexibility.
Large carry-in stocks across major crops could limit price recovery in 2026/27 unless demand strengthens or weather-related supply reductions occur.
Ethanol output is improving, but weak domestic demand and export headwinds temper optimism about corn demand. Renewable Fuels Association President & CEO Geoff Cooper discusses the latest developments on Federal approval of year-round E15.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Strong corn exports support prices while soybeans lag yearly pace. However, large carryover stocks limit upside despite solid yields.
Lori Stevermer with the National Pork Producers Council reacts to the USDA’s speedline proposal, the new Farm Bill’s fix for California’s Prop-12, and other policy developments impacting the pork industry.
South Texas farmers say water shortages continue despite Mexico’s renewed payments under the 1944 Water Treaty.
Red Flag Warning in effect as high winds fuel fast-moving blaze across Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas
Bayer’s Monsanto announces $7.25B class settlement for Roundup™ lawsuits alleging Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), covering claims over 21 years.
Investigations are now ongoing following a massive explosion and fire at the Koch Foods poultry plant in Fairfield, Ohio, which claimed one life and injured at least three other workers at the plant.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.