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Cattle inspections will be key when live imports from Mexico resume

Monitoring cattle for signs in infestations remains a priority as the industry continues to navigate New World screwworm.

Tucson, Arizona feedyard owner Barbara Jackson says when live cattle imports from Mexico resume, cattle will be thoroughly inspected before crossing the border.  “When they come into the feed yard and if they’re not processed off truck, they’re processed within a day or two,” she says.  “So, you’re individually going to see every animal within two, three days and you’re going to know if there’s an issue.”

Jackson, who also has a cow-calf operation tells Brownfield monitoring cattle on the open range is a little more complicated.  “And I’ll be honest, my little ranch, I’m sweating spring calving because if we get it, the number one place it goes is to navels of calves,” she says.  “And so that’s a problem.  And we don’t have as many cowboys as we used to have.”

Sterile flies are the most effective way to eradicate the New World screwworm, and Jackson says today’s flies are more effective than the ones used decades ago.

AUDIO: Barbara Jackson, Arizona cattle producer

The USDA is scheduled to resume imports of live cattle at the Douglas, Arizona pork August 24^th – but the department says the reopening timeline may be adjusted based on Mexico’s progress in meeting Action Plan milestones and addressing critical issues.

According to the latest reports, there are currently 4 active and 40 inactive cases of NWS in the United States and more than 1,900 active cases in Mexico.