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Opening the Border to Mexican Cattle: The Screwworm Question American Ranchers Cannot Ignore

written by

Skagit Meat Co

posted on

August 8, 2026

As the United States prepares to resume limited cattle imports from Mexico, producers are asking an important question: How much risk are we willing to accept to increase cattle supply?

For American cattle producers, few words carry more weight than biosecurity.

A disease or parasite that enters a herd can change the economics of a ranch overnight. What begins as an isolated case can become a regional problem, requiring quarantine, treatment, movement restrictions, surveillance, and potentially enormous public and private expenditures.

That is why the USDA's decision to begin reopening the southern border to Mexican cattle deserves careful attention.

The issue is not whether Mexican cattle are inherently unsafe.

They are not.

The issue is whether New World screwworm, an aggressive livestock parasite that remains active in Mexico, can be kept from gaining a permanent foothold in the United States as cross-border livestock movement resumes.

And that is a question every American cattle producer has a stake in.

What Is New World Screwworm?

New World screwworm (Cochliomyia hominivorax) is not an ordinary nuisance fly.

It is a serious livestock pest.

The adult fly lays eggs in wounds or other breaks in the skin of warm-blooded animals. The larvae then burrow into living tissue and feed on the animal.

Unlike ordinary maggots found in dead tissue, screwworm larvae attack living tissue.

The resulting infestation, known as myiasis, can cause severe wounds, suffering, secondary infection, reduced productivity, and death if untreated.

The USDA considers New World screwworm a serious threat to livestock, wildlife, pets, and, more rarely, humans.

For cattle producers, that makes the parasite more than an animal-health concern.

It is an economic concern.

How Did Screwworm Reach Mexico?

The current outbreak began moving northward through Central America before reaching Mexico.

Mexico notified USDA in November 2024 of a New World screwworm detection in cattle in Chiapas. Since then, the parasite has continued moving northward through Mexico despite eradication and containment efforts.

In September 2025, Mexico confirmed a case in Nuevo León, less than 70 miles from the U.S. border. USDA described that detection as particularly concerning because of the region's proximity to major livestock and commercial transportation routes.

The threat has not disappeared.

In fact, USDA's current status information continues to track active cases in Mexico and describes the effort to prevent further northward movement of the parasite.

The United States Has Already Seen Screwworm

This is perhaps the most important development for American cattle producers.

The concern is no longer theoretical.

On June 3, 2026, USDA confirmed New World screwworm in a calf in Zavala County, Texas. USDA subsequently confirmed additional U.S. detections, including another calf and a dog in Texas.

That means the United States has already experienced incursions of the parasite.

The question now becomes:

Can those detections be contained and eliminated before screwworm establishes itself as a permanent pest in the United States?

That is a very different question from whether the United States can simply inspect cattle at the border.

Why the Border Matters

The United States and Mexico have a long-established cattle trade.

Mexico has traditionally been one of America's most important sources of imported cattle. USDA's Economic Research Service reports that Mexico supplied approximately 62% of U.S. cattle imports from 2020 through 2024, with most of those animals being lighter-weight cattle destined for U.S. stocker or feeder operations.

The cattle trade therefore matters to both countries.

American feedlots depend upon cattle supplies.

Mexican producers depend upon access to American markets.

U.S. consumers depend upon a functioning beef supply chain.

And American ranchers operate within the same interconnected market.

The challenge is finding the balance between maintaining that trade and preventing a destructive livestock pest from becoming established.

USDA Is Reopening the Border—But Not Without Conditions

USDA is not simply throwing open the border.

The agency has announced a phased reopening.

Beginning August 24, 2026, USDA plans to reopen the Douglas, Arizona port of entry to cattle trade, while preparing for subsequent openings at Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico. The reopening is contingent upon Mexico's adherence to the Joint Action Plan.

USDA says every animal entering through the reopened ports will receive a full inspection for signs of New World screwworm.

USDA also identifies Sonora and Chihuahua as lower-risk Mexican states because of their inspection programs and geographic distance from the areas where most cases are concentrated.

Those safeguards are significant.

But they do not make the underlying biological risk disappear.

Inspection Is Essential—but It Is Not the Same as Eradication

This distinction deserves attention.

A border inspection is designed to identify infected or suspect animals.

But New World screwworm is an organism with a reproductive cycle.

The larger goal is not merely to prevent visibly infected cattle from crossing the border.

The goal is to prevent the establishment of a self-sustaining population.

That requires multiple layers of defense:

  • Animal inspection
  • Treatment
  • Movement controls
  • Surveillance
  • Rapid reporting
  • Sterile fly releases
  • Traceability
  • Wound management
  • Veterinary response
  • International cooperation

USDA has invested heavily in sterile-fly technology because disrupting reproduction is one of the most important tools available against screwworm.

In January 2026, USDA announced that it was dispersing approximately 100 million sterile flies per week as part of its effort to defend the U.S. border.

The scale of that operation illustrates the seriousness of the threat.

Why Sterile Flies Matter

The screwworm eradication program is one of the more remarkable examples of agricultural biotechnology.

Male flies are sterilized and released into the environment.

They compete with fertile males for females.

When a sterile male mates with a female, reproduction is disrupted.

Repeated releases can dramatically reduce the reproductive potential of the wild population.

The strategy has historically been an important part of screwworm eradication efforts in North and Central America.

But sterile flies work best as part of a broader control system.

They don't replace inspection.

They don't replace veterinary surveillance.

They don't replace responsible livestock movement.

They work alongside them.

The Economic Stakes Are Enormous

Imagine a screwworm population becoming established in the southern United States.

The consequences would extend far beyond the animals directly infected.

Producers could face:

  • Increased veterinary costs
  • Additional labor
  • Treatment expenses
  • Livestock movement restrictions
  • Increased inspection requirements
  • Reduced animal performance
  • Lost market opportunities
  • Quarantine costs
  • Increased regulatory burdens
  • Higher consumer prices

And those costs would not necessarily remain in Texas.

The cattle industry is interconnected.

A parasite established in one region can affect livestock movement, feeder-cattle markets, slaughter facilities, transportation, and ultimately consumers throughout the country.

What Does This Mean for Washington Ranchers?

A cattle producer in Skagit Valley might reasonably ask:

Why should I care about a parasite problem on the Mexican border?

Because the American cattle industry is one interconnected system.

Washington cattle are sold into regional and national markets.

Feeder cattle move between states.

Feedlots source cattle from multiple regions.

Slaughter facilities purchase cattle from multiple markets.

Disease and pest-control policies therefore affect producers far beyond the location where the problem begins.

Washington also has something valuable to protect:

a cattle industry that has not historically had to manage established New World screwworm populations.

Keeping it that way should be a priority.

This Is Also a Local Beef Argument

There is another dimension to the issue.

When Americans purchase locally raised beef, they are supporting a supply chain with a shorter geographic path between ranch, processor, retailer, and consumer.

That doesn't mean imported beef is inherently unsafe.

USDA inspection and import controls exist precisely to manage those risks.

But a strong domestic cattle industry provides something more than food.

It provides redundancy.

If one part of the national or international supply chain experiences a disruption, regional producers and processors become increasingly important.

That is why investments in American cattle production and regional USDA-inspected processing facilities matter.

A resilient food system is not dependent upon a single source of cattle, a single processing region, or a single international supply chain.

The Question of Mexican Beef vs. Mexican Cattle

There is an important distinction that often gets lost in the public conversation.

Imported beef is not the same thing as imported live cattle.

The current USDA announcement concerns the phased reopening of ports for live cattle and other livestock, not simply a blanket reopening of the U.S. market to Mexican beef.

Live animals present a different biosecurity consideration because a live animal can potentially carry an external parasite into the United States.

That is why the screwworm issue is directly relevant to the cattle-border decision.

What Should Ranchers Watch For?

American cattle producers should become familiar with the signs of New World screwworm.

The most important warning sign is an animal with a wound that appears unusual or progressively worsens.

Watch for:

  • Unexplained wounds
  • Wounds that enlarge rather than heal
  • Persistent irritation
  • Blood or discharge
  • Unusual odor
  • Visible larvae
  • Animals repeatedly licking or rubbing a wound
  • Sudden decline in an otherwise healthy animal

Screwworm larvae live in the wound and can cause severe tissue damage.

If a rancher encounters a suspicious case, do not assume it is an ordinary flystrike or wound infection.

Contact a veterinarian or appropriate animal-health authority promptly.

Early detection is critical.

Wound Management Becomes More Important

One of the simplest defenses against screwworm is also one of the most basic principles of good cattle management:

Take care of wounds.

Any open wound provides an opportunity for flies.

That means ranchers should pay particular attention after:

  • Branding
  • Castration
  • Dehorning
  • Calving
  • Veterinary procedures
  • Injuries
  • Predator attacks
  • Fencing accidents

Good wound care is not a substitute for national screwworm surveillance.

But it is an important part of livestock biosecurity.

What Happens If Screwworm Establishes?

This is the question that should concern the cattle industry most.

There is a major difference between:

an imported animal carrying a parasite that is detected and eliminated

and

a self-sustaining population becoming established in the United States.

The first is an outbreak-control problem.

The second becomes a permanent agricultural-management problem.

That distinction is why American ranchers have a legitimate interest in aggressive surveillance and rapid response.

Border Security Is Livestock Security

The debate surrounding the border is often framed in political terms.

For cattle producers, however, there is another way to look at it.

The border is also a biological barrier.

It protects American agriculture from pests and diseases that may not yet be established here.

That doesn't mean the border must remain permanently closed.

Trade is important.

Mexico is an important cattle-trading partner.

But reopening livestock trade requires confidence that the inspection, surveillance, treatment, and eradication systems are strong enough to protect American agriculture.

That is the standard ranchers should demand.

The Goal Should Be Trade and Biosecurity

The choice does not have to be:

"Open the border" versus "protect American cattle."

The better goal is:

Open trade when it can be done without compromising livestock health.

That requires transparency.

It requires measurable standards.

It requires rapid reporting.

It requires adequate inspection personnel.

It requires sufficient sterile-fly production.

It requires cooperation between USDA, Mexican animal-health authorities, state veterinarians, livestock organizations, and individual producers.

And it requires the ability to stop or restrict trade again if conditions deteriorate.

American Ranchers Should Not Be Asked to Carry the Risk Alone

If the United States resumes cattle imports while New World screwworm remains active in Mexico, the risk-management system must be strong enough to protect the producers who have spent generations building American cattle herds.

That means producers should expect:

  • Transparent reporting of detections
  • Strong inspection protocols
  • Rapid response to suspicious animals
  • Adequate federal funding
  • Continued sterile-fly production
  • Effective Mexican surveillance
  • Clear movement requirements
  • State-level preparedness
  • Producer education

The cost of prevention is almost always easier to bear than the cost of eradication after establishment.

The Lesson for Northwest Washington

For ranchers in Washington, New World screwworm may seem like a distant Texas or Mexican problem.

It isn't.

It is a reminder that agricultural biosecurity is national.

A pest that moves into one state can eventually affect livestock markets across the country.

And the best defense begins long before a problem reaches your pasture.

Know your cattle.

Inspect your animals.

Treat wounds promptly.

Know what normal looks like.

Report unusual cases.

And stay informed about changes in livestock movement regulations.

Protecting the American Herd

The American cattle industry has spent generations building one of the world's most productive beef systems.

That system depends on healthy animals.

It depends on healthy pastures.

It depends on functioning markets.

And it depends on keeping devastating livestock pests outside our production systems whenever possible.

The reopening of the Mexican cattle trade may provide important benefits to the U.S. cattle supply chain.

But it also comes with a responsibility:

Trade must not outrun biosecurity.

The New World screwworm outbreak is a reminder that livestock health can change quickly when biological barriers fail.

The United States has the science, technology, veterinary expertise, and infrastructure to fight this pest.

Now the challenge is maintaining the discipline to use all of them.

For American ranchers, the message is simple:

Welcome trade when it is safe.

Demand strong biosecurity when it is not.

And protect the American herd before a preventable problem becomes a permanent one.

This article is intended for agricultural education and discussion. Producers who suspect New World screwworm should contact their veterinarian or appropriate state/federal animal-health authorities immediately rather than attempting to diagnose or manage a suspected infestation on their own.

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The Lone Star tick has also become widely known because of its association with alpha-gal syndrome, a condition in which some people develop an allergy to the carbohydrate alpha-gal found in mammalian products. This subject requires particular caution in Washington. A 2025 CDC-published case report documented alpha-gal syndrome in a Washington resident, but the tick submitted in that case was identified as a western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus), not a Lone Star tick. The authors noted that the relationship between alpha-gal syndrome and tick species outside the established Lone Star range remains uncertain. Therefore, it would be inaccurate to tell Washington consumers that Lone Star ticks are responsible for a growing local alpha-gal problem. The science is more complicated than that. The Bigger Agricultural Lesson The Lone Star tick illustrates something larger about modern agriculture: The biological boundaries of our farms are not the same as our fence lines. Parasites don't recognize property boundaries. Wildlife doesn't recognize county lines. Ticks don't care whether a field belongs to a cattle rancher, dairy farmer, timber company, or homeowner. And livestock movement connects agricultural communities across state lines. That means biosecurity isn't simply about keeping diseases out of the herd. It is also about understanding what is happening in the surrounding ecosystem. Good Ranch Management Includes Observation The best defense against emerging agricultural problems is often not a complicated technology. It is observation. Know your cattle. Know your pasture. Know the wildlife that moves through it. Know what parasites are normally present. And pay attention when something changes. The Lone Star tick may or may not become an established agricultural concern in Washington. Right now, there is no evidence that it has become widespread here. But its changing distribution elsewhere and the continued research into its biology give ranchers a good reason to keep watching. Keep an Eye on the Pasture The Lone Star tick isn't a reason to panic in Skagit Valley. It is a reason to pay attention. Washington already has a diverse tick population, and the state maintains surveillance because different tick species carry different risks. For cattle producers, the best approach is simple: Inspect. Identify. Document. Report. If an unusual tick shows up on cattle, a dog, wildlife, or yourself, don't dismiss it. Take a picture. Save the specimen when practical. Record where it was found. And have it properly identified. Agricultural producers are often the first people to notice changes in the landscape. That makes every rancher part of Washington's early-warning system. The Lone Star tick may be moving north. Whether it ever becomes established in Washington remains to be seen. But the time to start watching is before it becomes a problem—not after.

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The Nutrient Density Debate: Why Beef Remains One of Nature's Most Nutritious Foods

The Nutrient Density Debate: Why Beef Remains One of Nature's Most Nutritious Foods

Explore the science behind nutrient density and discover why beef remains a rich source of protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and other essential nutrients in a balanced diet.Looking Beyond Calories In today's nutrition landscape, few foods generate as much debate as beef. Some view it as an essential source of high-quality nutrition, while others question its role in modern diets. Amid competing dietary philosophies, one concept has emerged as a valuable way to evaluate food choices: nutrient density. Rather than focusing solely on calories, fat content, or protein percentages, nutrient density asks a different question: How many essential nutrients does a food provide relative to the calories it contains? When viewed through this lens, beef remains one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. What Is Nutrient Density? Nutrient density refers to the concentration of vitamins, minerals, protein, and other beneficial nutrients found in a food relative to its calorie content. Highly nutrient-dense foods provide substantial nutrition without excessive calories. Examples often include:    Vegetables       Fruits       Eggs       Seafood       Dairy products       Beef and other meats The goal is not merely to eat fewer calories but to maximize nutritional value from the foods we consume. Beef's Nutritional Profile A serving of beef provides far more than protein. Beef contains significant amounts of: Complete Protein Beef contains all nine essential amino acids required by the human body. These amino acids support:        Muscle maintenance       Growth and development       Tissue repair       Immune function Because the body cannot produce essential amino acids on its own, they must come from food. Iron Beef is one of the richest natural sources of heme iron. Heme iron is particularly valuable because it is more readily absorbed than the non-heme iron found in most plant foods. Iron plays a critical role in:        Oxygen transport       Energy production       Cognitive function       Physical performance Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is naturally found almost exclusively in animal foods. This nutrient supports:        Nerve health       Red blood cell formation       DNA synthesis       Brain function For many individuals, beef serves as a significant dietary source of B12. Zinc Beef provides highly bioavailable zinc, a mineral involved in hundreds of biological processes including:        Immune system function       Wound healing       Growth and development       Cellular metabolism Other Important Nutrients Beef also supplies:        Selenium       Niacin       Riboflavin       Phosphorus       Choline       Vitamin B6 Many of these nutrients are frequently under-consumed in modern diets. The Bioavailability Advantage One of the most important—and often overlooked—aspects of nutrient density is bioavailability. Bioavailability refers to how efficiently the body absorbs and uses nutrients. A food may contain nutrients on paper, but if those nutrients are poorly absorbed, the practical nutritional value may be lower. For example:        Heme iron from beef is absorbed more efficiently than plant-based iron.       Vitamin B12 in beef is highly bioavailable.       Protein from beef is highly digestible and complete. This means the body can utilize a substantial portion of the nutrients beef provides. Why the Debate Exists The nutrient density debate surrounding beef often arises because nutrition is complex. Different groups may prioritize different concerns, including:        Saturated fat intake       Environmental sustainability       Animal welfare       Personal dietary philosophies       Chronic disease risk As a result, discussions about beef frequently move beyond nutrition alone. While these are important conversations, they should not obscure the nutritional contributions beef provides. Even many nutrition researchers who disagree on broader dietary patterns acknowledge that beef remains a significant source of essential nutrients. Beef and Modern Dietary Guidelines Current dietary recommendations generally emphasize balance rather than elimination. Most nutrition experts agree that healthy dietary patterns can include:        Vegetables       Fruits       Whole grains       Legumes       Dairy products       Seafood       Lean meats, including beef The key is considering overall dietary quality rather than focusing on a single food in isolation. A nutrient-dense diet is built through a combination of foods that collectively provide essential nutrition. Does Production Method Matter? An increasing number of consumers are interested not only in what they eat but how it is raised. Questions often include:        Was the animal pasture-raised?       What was it fed?       How was it managed?       Was animal welfare prioritized? Research continues to explore potential differences between production systems, including grass-fed and grain-finished beef. While nutritional differences may vary, many consumers choose locally raised beef because they value transparency, stewardship, and a direct connection to the source of their food. Quality Nutrition Starts on the Farm At Skagit Meat Co., we believe food quality begins long before it reaches the dinner table. Healthy animals, responsible land management, and thoughtful husbandry practices contribute to producing beef that families can trust. We are committed to raising animals with care while providing wholesome, nutrient-rich products that support healthy lifestyles and great meals. The Bottom Line The nutrient density debate will likely continue as nutrition science evolves. However, one fact remains clear: Beef provides a remarkable package of essential nutrients in a highly bioavailable form. It delivers complete protein, iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and numerous other nutrients that support human health and wellness. Like many foods, beef is best viewed within the context of an overall balanced diet. For those seeking nutrient-dense sources of protein and essential micronutrients, beef continues to earn its place at the table. Because when nutrition matters, it's not just about how much you eat—it's about what your food provides.

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