The USDA has officially lifted the New Mexico New World screwworm infested zone on Sunday, marking the complete removal of NWS-related requirements on domestic livestock movement in the area. According to KVIA, lifting an infested zone removes all NWS-related requirements on the domestic movement of livestock and pets in the area, allowing animal producers and owners to resume movement without NWS inspection. This development follows the USDA's approval of the release of New Mexico's only NWS-infested zone on August 30, 2026, following concurrence from New Mexico State Veterinarian Dr. Samantha Holeck and the New Mexico Livestock Board. New Mexico's single case of NWS was detected on June 7 in a domestic dog in Lea County, and no additional cases have been detected since.
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures declined on Tuesday as market participants processed the lifting of livestock movement restrictions in some areas of Texas and New Mexico. According to reports from Reuters, the cattle market continues to face bearish pressures from multiple factors including the temporary waiver of import tariffs for beef and weak boxed beef prices. The lifting of these restrictions has added to the bearish sentiment that has been weighing on the cattle market in recent weeks.
CME October live cattle settled 0.60 cents lower to 212.075 cents per pound, while CME October feeder cattle futures fell 1.625 cents to 315.40 cents per pound. As reported by Reuters, analyst Austin Schroeder from Brugler Marketing noted that "cattle doesn't have much going for it" and there's not much reason for funds to buy the commodity from a fund's perspective. The decline reflects the market's digestion of multiple bearish factors affecting the cattle sector.
Brazilian billionaire Joesley Batista, one of the owners of meatpacker JBS, met with U.S. President Donald Trump on August 20 to discuss additional beef supply from Brazil that could help reduce U.S. beef prices if Trump dropped a 26% import tax. According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump announced he would temporarily ease beef tariffs to help lower prices, with ground beef imports expected to sell 25% below current prices. This move triggered widespread condemnation from the U.S. cattle industry, adding to the bearish sentiment in the cattle market.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced on Monday that the USDA is taking actions to support the beef industry, including loans for small meat processors and the use of conserved land for grazing. As reported by Reuters, the USDA priced choice cuts of boxed beef at $378.02 per hundredweight on Tuesday, up $2.20 from the previous day, while select cuts rose $2.17 to $360.66 per hundredweight. These support measures come as the cattle industry faces increased competition from imported beef, with the USDA now working with international trading partners to negotiate the removal of New Mexico-specific NWS export restrictions.
