USDA suspends livestock imports to Mexico over NSW threat; NCBA supports the decision

USDA has suspended livestock imports from Mexico to prevent the spread of New World Screwworm.

Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said protecting U.S. livestock and food safety is a top priority, calling it a national security issue. USDA is taking this step to stop NWS from moving farther north, as it has been found about 700 miles from the border. The ban will stay in place month-to-month until there is progress on containing the pest.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall joined RFD-TV’s Tammi Arender to discuss the importance of this move, the possible ripple effects for the industry, and the main signs and precautions producers need to keep in mind.

Related Stories
Higher livestock prices reflect resilient demand, even as disease and herd shifts reshape 2026 supply expectations.
Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey was in Mission, Texas, where state and federal officials addressed growers and producers at a round table event hosted at a citrus grower’s facility. He shows us how welcome news was all around.
Nationwide highlights expanded insurance options for cattle operations and their company initiatives to promote grain bin safety and support women in agriculture.
Tyler Schuster is an ag industry advocate who mentors and supports the next generation, especially women finding their place in the cattle industry.
NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what cattle producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.
Low prices are painful now, but production response could support stronger milk markets later in 2026.
Merck’s Gary Tiller discusses new virtual fencing technology and how fence-free livestock management could change the way ranchers manage land and cattle.
At CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses profitability, consumer demand, and how the integrated U.S.–Canada beef supply chain impacts cattle producers across North America.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Both Congressional Ag Committees took up the bill over the summer, but there’s no word on when the Senate could move forward; it does expire on September 30.
Keir Albert of Albert Acres Cattle Company joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to share his journey into raising Texas Longhorn cattle and the reason behind his trip to Kenya.
CLAAS is expanding its customer service offerings in Iowa, as well as breaking ground in Nebraska on a 44,000 square foot research and development facility that will focus on fieldwork in the region.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights on the incident and a deeper dive into the issues at hand.
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.