SANTA TERESA, NM – USDA plans to reopen the Santa Teresa livestock port September 24, restoring a major feeder-cattle route from Mexico into the Southwest while maintaining enhanced New World screwworm safeguards. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the reopening Thursday in New Mexico.
Santa Teresa inspected 43% of Mexican cattle entering through U.S. border ports during the past five years, according to Rollins. She says much of that cattle traffic ultimately supplies Texas feedlots.
Cattle will first undergo inspection in Chihuahua before reaching the border. Every animal will then receive a full USDA inspection before entering the United States.
The reopening follows Douglas, Arizona, where Rollins says about 5,000 livestock have crossed since operations resumed. Columbus, New Mexico, is next in USDA’s phased reopening plan if disease conditions and operating safeguards remain acceptable.
USDA says port operations can again be paused if surveillance identifies increased screwworm risk in Chihuahua or Sonora.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Reopening Santa Teresa restores an important feeder-cattle pipeline while keeping animal inspections and disease safeguards in place.