SAN JERÓNIMO, Mexico — Cattle imports are once again entering the United States through the Santa Teresa, New Mexico, border crossing.
Cattle imports resumed at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, after being halted for more than 16 months.
Mexican cattle ranchers with the Unión Ganadera Regional de Chihuahua are expected to export more than 400 head of cattle on the first day. The initial crossing included 101 steers, according to officials.
The importation of cattle was suspended in May 2025 because of the rapid spread of the parasitic New World screwworm in Mexico. The new imports arrive in the U.S. following an intensive inspection by both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Mexico's Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria
(SENASICA), the agency that oversees agricultural health and quality and ensures the health of each animal.
USDA first renewed cattle imports from Mexico in Douglas, Arizona, on Aug. 24. The Columbus, New Mexico, cattle port of entry is poised to be the next to reopen.
Santa Teresa, located just west of El Paso, Texas, is the largest livestock crossing in the U.S.
Story is developing. Check back for updates.
Jeff Abbott covers the border for the El Paso Times and can be reached at:jdabbott@usatodayco.com; @palabrasdeabajo on Twitter or @palabrasdeabajo.bsky.social on Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Mexican cattle cross into New Mexico again after screwworm shutdown
