Story perspectives

USDA Reopens Douglas, AZ Cattle Crossing Aug 24

7/28/2026

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USDA Reopens Crossing

U.S. Department of Agriculture will reopen the Douglas, Arizona border crossing to Mexican cattle imports on August 24, 2026.
The closure cost Arizona’s cattle industry $261 million and Sonoran ranchers $280 million, pushing U.S. beef prices to a record $6 per pound.
Half of the region’s 350,000 annual cattle exports were halted during the closure.
USDA will track crossing cattle with electronic identification, replacing ear tags that raised parasite concerns.

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USDA Reopens Crossing

U.S. Department of Agriculture will reopen the Douglas, Arizona border crossing to Mexican cattle imports on August 24, 2026.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the closure was a tough but necessary action to protect the American livestock industry.
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall said reopening will normalize trade in border-state economies.
The agency said the reopening boosts ranchers, feedlots and border-state economies suffering from beef prices.

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USDA Reopens Crossing

U.S. Department of Agriculture will reopen Douglas, Arizona border crossing to Mexican cattle imports on August 24, 2026.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller criticized the USDA’s screwworm response, noting 42 cases since June and saying the closure harmed producers.
The phased reopening depends on Mexico meeting joint-action milestones and full inspection of every animal.
USDA will consider reopening New Mexico’s Santa Teresa and Columbus ports after confirming Mexico’s compliance.

History

Historical Context

After Edward F. Knipling and Raymond C. Bushland introduced the sterile-insect technique in 1958, USDA eradicated the New World screwworm from the southern United States by 1966 and lifted the Mexico cattle import ban in 1975, saving ranchers an estimated $150 million a year. Renewed detections in 2024-26 have led USDA to reopen the Douglas, Arizona crossing on August 24 2026.

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USDA Reopens Crossing

U.S. Department of Agriculture will reopen the Douglas, Arizona border crossing to Mexican cattle imports on August 24, 2026.
The closure cost Arizona’s cattle industry $261 million and Sonoran ranchers $280 million, pushing U.S. beef prices to a record $6 per pound.
Half of the region’s 350,000 annual cattle exports were halted during the closure.
USDA will track crossing cattle with electronic identification, replacing ear tags that raised parasite concerns.

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