From staff reports STILLWATER – Oklahoma State University Extension Livestock Market Economist Dr. Derrell Peel recently showcased how a positive detection of New World screwworm found in Mexico will impact the importation of feeder cattle into the United States into the new year.
Mexico’s chief veterinary officer notified the APHIS on Nov. 22 of a positive detection of New World screwworm in Mexico.
“New World screwworm a devastating pest,” according to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Larvae “burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage to the animal. NWS can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people.”
Peel noted that the U.S relies on cattle imports from Mexico throughout the year, importing 22% of the total number of Mexican cattle during the months of November and December.
“This disruption will take out the last six weeks or so of imports, and I think that will reduce our annual total imports by roughly 18%,” he said.
While this disruption is likely to impact the feed supply and cattle on feed numbers, Peel doesn’t expect large impact.
“The Mexican cattle contribute to our total cattle supplies for the U.S., but they aren’t huge,” he said. “If you look at their numbers compared to our annual calf crop in the U.S., they are about 3 or 3.2% on average; however, in a tight supply market, any decrease in numbers will be noticeable.”
Peel expects to see a decline of 250,000 to 300,000 fewer cattle by year-end but said this will add additional support to an already strong feeder market.
He noted that Mexican imports are lighter this time of year, but feedlots are starting smaller cattle to maintain numbers amidst tight supplies. Peel expects to see a decline in placement numbers, followed by a drop in light calvers transitioning from backgrounding to feedlots.
The USDA will implement additional cattle inspection and quarantine protocols when the border is reopened for northward moving cattle.
“The initial steps will be to get the facilities identified and approved by USDA,” Peel said. “Cattle inside Mexico will go to those facilities, get an additional screening on the Mexican side, then be given ivermectin to clear any parasites and quarantined for seven days.”
Post-quarantine, cattle will be reinspected and be dipped for pests.
Previously, Peel said it will take most of December to for feeder cattle to begin being imported from Mexico again. Essentially, it means that we may not get any cattle for the rest of 2024,” he stated then. “By the time you get that process in place and go through the initial quarantine. We might be in place to pick it back up, at least partially, going into next year.”