MONTERREY, MEXICO – USDA has reopened the Columbus, New Mexico, port to cattle imports from Mexico, expanding the phased restoration of feeder cattle trade disrupted by New World screwworm concerns.
Columbus became the third reopened crossing on October 26, following Douglas, Arizona, on August 24 and Santa Teresa, New Mexico, on September 24. Nogales, Arizona, is scheduled to reopen November 30 if animal-health and inspection conditions remain satisfactory.
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service says restricted access to the U.S. market has kept more Mexican cattle in Mexico, lowering domestic cattle prices and benefiting local feedlots and producers selling cattle within the country.
As additional ports reopen, more Mexican feeder cattle are expected to move north again. That could increase competition for U.S. feedlot placements while easing some supply pressure created by historically tight cattle inventories.
USDA says all imported cattle remain subject to inspection and updated safeguards designed to reduce New World screwworm risk as trade gradually resumes.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Reopening additional border ports could gradually increase Mexican feeder cattle supplies available to U.S. feedlots.