The U.S.-Mexico border’s continued closure to live cattle trade, triggered by the northward progression of the New World screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, is placing significant financial and operational strain on Texas Feedyards Screwworm management. This ongoing disruption, impacting a vital artery of the North American cattle industry, has Texas operations running well below capacity and highlights the complex challenges of balancing animal health concerns with economic realities. The persistent threat of the New World screwworm in Mexico necessitates careful monitoring and strategic responses to protect the integrity of the Texas Feedyards Screwworm. Understanding the dynamics of the Texas Feedyards Screwworm situation is crucial for all stakeholders in the Texas cattle industry.
The New World Screwworm Threat to Texas Feedyards
The New World screwworm is a devastating parasitic fly whose larvae feed exclusively on living tissue, causing severe pain, infection, and often death in untreated animals. While the pest was eradicated from the continental United States in 1966, it has been re-emerging in Central America and Mexico in recent years, raising alarms among U.S. agricultural officials. The threat intensified in 2025 with confirmed detections moving progressively northward through Mexico. By July 2025, cases were reported in regions like Veracruz and Nuevo Leon, with some detections occurring less than 70 miles from the Texas border. The potential economic impact of a widespread NWS outbreak in the U.S. is staggering; estimates suggest it could cost Texas alone $1.9 billion annually. Historically, outbreaks have caused hundreds of millions of dollars in damages and affected millions of animals, underscoring the critical need to manage the Texas Feedyards Screwworm challenge.
A Rollercoaster of Border Policies and Texas Feedyards Screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has implemented a series of border closures and phased reopening strategies in response to the NWS threat impacting Texas Feedyards Screwworm protocols. Initially, imports of live cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico were suspended in May 2025. The USDA, in collaboration with Mexican authorities, ramped up surveillance and sterile fly dispersal efforts, leading to an announcement on June 30, 2025, of a phased reopening beginning as early as July 7, 2025. However, this planned reopening was abruptly halted on July 8, 2025, following the confirmation of a new NWS case in Veracruz, Mexico. This reversal underscored the volatile nature of the situation and the USDA’s commitment to vigilance, with Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins stating the planned reopenings were being paused to “further quarantine and target this deadly pest”. The timeline for future reopenings remains contingent on continued progress in NWS control efforts in Mexico, directly affecting the Texas Feedyards Screwworm situation.
The Burden on Texas Feedyards from Screwworm Crisis
For many Texas feedyards, the border closure represents a “tremendous challenge” in managing the Texas Feedyards Screwworm threat. These operations, particularly in the Texas Panhandle, have relied heavily on a consistent supply of feeder cattle from Mexico for decades. Mark Rogers, owner of Rogers and Sons Ltd. Custom Cattle Feeders in Dimmitt, Texas, exemplifies this dependence, with Mexican cattle typically comprising 90-95% of his feedyard’s capacity. Since the closure, his operation has been reduced to 70% capacity. This significant drop not only impacts the feedyard’s profitability but also has broader economic repercussions for the cattle industry. Many neighboring feedyards are facing similar situations dealing with the Texas Feedyards Screwworm.
The disruption extends beyond feedyard operations. Truckers, port employees, and individuals involved in expediting cattle movement on both sides of the border are also affected. The reduction in Mexican cattle imports has been substantial; in 2025, imports numbered 230,638 head compared to 998,763 head year-to-date in 2024, representing a steep decline in cattle trade.
Economic Ripple Effects and Market Uncertainty of Texas Feedyards Screwworm
The scarcity of Mexican feeder cattle has had a cascading effect on the market, intensifying the Texas Feedyards Screwworm challenge. In Mexico, ranchers are forced to sell cattle at significantly discounted prices due to a lack of available feedyard space. This has also led to challenges in finding domestic outlets for these animals. Conversely, the tight supply of cattle entering the U.S. contributes to already constrained beef supplies. While some sources suggest that the immediate impact on consumer beef prices might be limited if trade resumes promptly, prolonged disruptions could lead to higher prices, further fueling inflation. The economic impact of the Texas Feedyards Screwworm is being felt deeply.
Economists warn that the lack of cross-border trade is straining rural communities and feeder operations across the southern United States. The situation is further complicated by other market factors, including ongoing drought and a historically low U.S. cattle herd, exacerbating supply chain disruptions. The uncertainty surrounding border reopenings creates significant volatility, influencing market sentiment and producers’ investment decisions, all of which are heightened by the Texas Feedyards Screwworm.
Ongoing Control Efforts and the Path Forward for Texas Feedyards Screwworm
Both the U.S. and Mexico are actively engaged in efforts to combat the New World screwworm, crucial for the future of Texas Feedyards Screwworm management. This includes expanding surveillance, implementing rigorous inspection and treatment protocols, and a strategic dispersal of sterile flies. The USDA has also announced plans to invest in or build domestic sterile fly production facilities, with Texas playing a key role in these initiatives. However, the timeline for developing sufficient sterile fly capacity to push the NWS back towards its origins, such as the Darien Gap, remains a critical factor influencing border reopening strategies and the overall animal health landscape. Addressing the screwworm crisis is paramount.
The continued threat of the New World screwworm and the subsequent border closure are reshaping North American cattle flows and market dynamics. For Texas feedyards, the immediate future remains uncertain, dependent on the success of ongoing eradication efforts and the delicate negotiations between the two nations to protect animal health while restoring vital trade for the Texas Feedyards Screwworm.
