News

Prepping for the reopening of Santa Teresa port of entry

Live cattle from Mexico are expected to begin crossing into the U.S. through the Santa Teresa port of entry in New Mexico on September 24^th. This marks the first shipments since the summer of 2025 when the USDA halted crossings because of New World screwworm concerns.

Cow/Calf operator Tom Paterson, president of the New Mexico Cattle Growers, was with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins on Thursday. “The question was asked this morning how many head and the answer was as many head as we can safely put through with technicians doing their inspections,” he says.   

He tells Brownfield the resumption of movement through Santa Teresa is crucial. “The port historically has accounted for I think about 43% of all livestock imports in the United States,” he says.

Paterson says he doesn’t expect any equipment delays, which shut down the Douglas port of entry just seven days after it resumed operations. “I asked Mr. Manzanares, the general manager at Santa Teresa, and he said they will be ready on the 24^th,” he says. “The facilities this morning looked good. The only problem was it was very quiet there.”

He says the protocol developed by USDA, New Mexico officials, and the Mexican government should effectively prevent New World screwworm from entering the U.S. through cattle crossing at the ports of entry.

On Thursday, New World screwworm was confirmed in a horse in New Mexico, but it is not expected to impact next week’s reopening.

A second New Mexico livestock port of entry, located in Columbus, remains closed, but is scheduled to resume operations in October.  

AUDIO: Tom Paterson, New Mexico Cattle Growers