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The reopening of the U.S.-Mexico border marks the next chapter for cattle trade

Cattle were able to cross from Mexico into the US for the first time since May 2025.

Mike Sulpizio, a cattle buyer and marketing manager for Superior Cattle Company in California, says it’s a long time coming and Monday was an important first step. “It’s a start and we just need to be patient and we need to see how this develops,” he says. 

He tells Brownfield ahead of the border reopening his operation had already been offered cattle to purchase. “We want to kind of wait and see before we bid on anything how kind of the market develops and the weight classes that come across,” he says.  “So far it looks like heavier cattle like we anticipated 600 to 650 pounds is some of what I’m seeing.”

Sulpizio says there are extensive protocols in place for the cattle coming across the border. “They get inspected by a USDA vet on the Mexico side and then after that they go through the ticking process,” he says.  “They’re evaluated prior to that for anything that looks unthrifty, unhealthy, just kind of a basic observation. And then they get individually run through the chute for a closer inspection.”

He says the cattle also have to pass through a cattle dipping vat. “They have to get their head underwater,” he says.  “A USDA veterinarian is in observation of this, and they make sure the animals are totally submerged and then they swim out the other side.”

Once the cattle are dried off, they can cross the border, which happens at a designated time each day.

Mexico says 750 head of cattle were set to cross through the port of entry in Douglas, Arizona the first day and the total will increase incrementally as the week progresses, with the goal being around 1,500 head daily. 

AUDIO: Mike Sulpizio, California cattle feeder