USDA Secretary Announces Agreement with Mexico on Beef Parasite

May 05, 2025

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Monday that Mexico had come to an agreement with the U.S. for handling the New World screwworm. Over the weekend, the USDA secretary threatened to halt beef imports from Mexico if the country did not take more steps to respond to the spread of the New World Screwworm. This screwworm is a deadly parasite that spreads by burrowing into the living flesh of an animal. This parasite has spread to humans in rare cases.

In her letter to her Mexican counterpart, Secretary Rollins wrote, “If these issues are not resolved by Wednesday, April 30, USDA will restrict the importation of animal commodities, which consist of live cattle, bison, and equine originating from or transiting Mexico to protect the interest of the agriculture industry in the United States.”

“Every delay in granting full operational authority and eliminating customs barriers undermines our collective ability to carry out this emergency response,” the USDA secretary added.

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Video: You Be The Judge: Evaluating 8 Breeding Rams!

It's time for some honest feedback here at Ewetopia Farms! Today, we’re showing you all eight rams we used for breeding this year. Instead of just presenting them, we thought it would be fun to create a “Ram Report Card” — where we point out both their strengths and areas for improvement.

But here’s the twist: you be the judge! In the comments, let us know what you like about each ram and what you think could be improved. No ram is ever perfect, but every one of them brings something valuable to the flock. By sharing perspectives, we all learn more about what to look for in good breeding stock.

At Ewetopia Farms, we raise registered Suffolk and Polled Dorset sheep, focusing on high-quality genetics, structure, and friendly temperaments. Evaluating breeding rams is part of the bigger picture of building stronger flocks — and we’re excited to share the process with you.

If you enjoy seeing how we evaluate our animals, follow along by subscribing to our channel. We share daily insights into the joys and challenges of sheep farming here in Canada.