Rancher Martín Alfonso Ibarra of Sonora, Mexico, is watching his 16 calves with cautious optimism. After a year‑long suspension of cattle exports to the United States, the Douglas, Arizona crossing – which meets Agua Prieta, Sonora – is set to reopen on Aug. 24.
Why the ban was imposed
In May 2025, the United States halted imports of Mexican cattle because of a New World screwworm fly outbreak. The parasite’s maggots burrow into wounds of warm‑blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets and, on rare occasions, humans. The infestation was first detected in Mexico in November 2024 and has since spread to 30 of the country’s 32 states, including Sonora.
At its peak, the outbreak threatened both sides of the border, tightening an already strained beef market. U.S. consumers faced record‑high beef prices, while Mexican ranchers saw export revenues plunge, cutting their income by roughly 40 % last year, according to Ibarra.
New U.S. protocols
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials will allow a limited number of cattle each day at first: 700 head in the opening week, rising to 900 the next week, and eventually to 1,300 per day as confidence grows. All animals must wear radio‑frequency identification (RFID) ear tags, be scanned by electronic readers, and pass inspection by trained dogs before crossing.
Veterinarian Arturo Ruiz, who oversees animal health for Sonora, said the USDA’s inspections will be conducted on the U.S. side of the border. Mexico has accepted the protocols, though some local ranchers argue the limits are too restrictive to ease the supply shortage.
Economic stakes for ranchers
Before the ban, Mexico shipped about 1.2 million head of cattle to the United States each year, primarily from its northern states. When the suspension took effect, many Mexican producers turned to the domestic market, selling cattle at roughly 40 % less than the U.S. price. The loss forced some ranchers to sell off livestock early or cut back on investments.
For Ibarra, the chance to move his calves north represents a step toward recouping lost earnings, but he remains realistic. “There’s no need to get too excited,” he said, noting that the animals must gain sufficient weight by October before a sale can be finalized.
Impact on U.S. consumers
U.S. beef processors and feedlots have felt the pinch of reduced imports, with some plants reducing operations or shutting down temporarily. Juan Carlos Anaya, director of Grupo Consultor de Mercados Agrícolas, warned that the shortage could linger until cattle shipments return to pre‑ban levels.
While the USDA’s tighter controls aim to protect both nations from the screwworm, industry leaders hope the gradual increase in daily quotas will soon ease the market strain.
Looking ahead
Authorities in both countries say eradication of the screwworm will take time, but the decline in active cases—from nearly 4,000 a year ago to 1,969 now—suggests progress. As the border reopens, ranchers like Ibarra will watch the daily limits closely, hoping the flow of cattle can expand quickly enough to benefit both Mexican producers and American consumers.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
