U.S. To Resume Limited Mexican Cattle Imports As Beef Supplies Tighten

Jul 28, 2026

By Stephania Corpi

The U.S. will resume limited imports of Mexican cattle beginning Aug. 24, reopening a trade route shut down for more than a year as New World screwworm spread north and U.S. cattle supplies tightened and beef prices rose to record levels.

The first shipments will enter through Douglas, Arizona, across from Agua Prieta, Sonora, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Friday. The Santa Teresa and Columbus crossings in New Mexico are expected to reopen later, restoring access for cattle from Chihuahua. No dates were given for those ports.

The phased plan is contingent on Mexico complying with joint pest-control measures. Each animal will be inspected by U.S. officials before entering the country. The USDA may pause trade again if surveillance indicates that the parasite is spreading or safeguards are not being followed.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the decision after receiving a letter from U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. She described the reopening as “great news for Mexican ranchers” and said officials had been instructed to accelerate preparations. Sheinbaum added that dialogue and cooperation between the countries had produced results.

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Video: Swine Biosecurity: 5 Critical Steps to Prevent Disease Transmission | LANXESS

Protecting herd health starts before anyone enters the barn. Every visitor, employee, piece of equipment and movement between farms can introduce disease risks if proper biosecurity protocols aren't followed.

In this SwineWeb Biosecurity Intelligence feature, Dr. Gisele Ravagnani of LANXESS Biosecurity Solutions explains practical steps pork producers can take to strengthen on-farm biosecurity and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Key topics covered:

• Visitor Management: Why visitor logs, previous farm exposure and downtime requirements are essential.

• Controlled Barn Entry: How Danish entry systems establish a clear separation between clean and dirty areas.

• Shower-In/Shower-Out Protocols: The importance of dedicated clothing, footwear and controlled movement.

• Footbath Management: Proper cleaning, disinfection and maintenance practices, including the use of Virkon™ S.

• Equipment Biosecurity: Why equipment must be properly cleaned, disinfected and dried before entering production areas.