The US Department of Agriculture Monday announced a phased reopening of the southern border for cattle, bison and equines from Mexico, starting as early as July 7, with Douglas, AZ, the first port, a Google AI release said.
The decision follows a period of closure after the detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico. The USDA has been working with Mexican officials to increase surveillance, detection and eradication efforts for NWS, including sterile fly dispersal and enhanced surveillance.
BACKGROUND
- A Serious Concern:
New World screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax, is a devastating pest. When NWS fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly, damage to the animal.
NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds and in rare cases, people.
- Central, South American Home:
NWS is endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and countries in South America, with cases spreading north to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador and Mexico. Although the USDA eradicated NWS from the US in 1966 using the sterile insect technique, there is a constant risk of re-introduction.
To prevent the northward movement of this pest from South America to NWS-free areas in Central and North America, APHIS collaborates with Panama to maintain a barrier zone in eastern Panama. Cooperating countries release sterile male screwworm flies in the Darien Province of eastern Panama to create a biological barrier. This works because the females only mate once.
- Initial Closure:
The border initially was closed in Nov. 2024 because of the detection of New World Screwworm in Mexico, according to the USDA.
- Reopening and Subsequent Closure:
The border partially reopened in February 2025 with new protocols, but was closed again in May because of continued detection of NWS.
- NWS Spread:
NWS, a parasitic fly, had spread through Central America and into southern Mexico.
- Sterile Fly Program:
The US and Mexico have been collaborating on a sterile fly program, releasing millions of sterile flies to reduce the NWS population.
CURRENT SITUATION
- Phased Reopening:
The USDA now is implementing a phased reopening, starting with Douglas, AZ.
- Progress:
Significant progress has been made in NWS surveillance, detection, and eradication efforts.
- No Recent Increase:
There has been no notable increase in reported NWS cases in Mexico, nor any northward movement of the pest, according to the USDA.
- Continued Collaboration:
The USDA and Mexican officials will continue to cooperate in monitoring and detection of NWS.
CATTLE, BEEF RECAP
The USDA reported formula and contract base prices for live FOB steers and heifers this week ranged from $225.94 per cwt to $226.17, compared with last week’s range of $229.67 to $239.21 per cwt. FOB dressed steers, and heifers went for $361.29 per cwt to $362.36, compared with $360.16 to $373.52.
The USDA choice cutout Monday was down $0.93 per cwt at $395.56 while select was up $1.17 at $384.10. The choice/select spread narrowed to $11.46 from $13.56 with 77 loads of fabricated product and 18 loads of trimmings and grinds sold into the spot market.
The USDA-listed the weighted average wholesale price for fresh 90% lean beef was $402.05 per cwt, and 50% beef was $249.62.
The USDA said basis bids for corn from feeders in the Southern Plains were $1.30 to $1.35 a bushel over the Sep corn contract, which settled at $4.09 1/4, down $0.02 1/4.
No live cattle delivery notices were posted.
The CME Feeder Cattle Index for the seven days ended Friday was $314.87 per cwt, up $2.10. This compares with Monday’s Aug contract settlement of $310.67, up $2.77.