Import ban on live cattle from Mexico could add more uncertainty to cattle market

There’s more volatility in the cattle markets ahead.

Livestock economist Scott Brown says tight cattle supplies could get even tighter. “Given where we are on the cycle, we need every animal possible,” he says.

Last week, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service placed an import ban on live cattle from or passing through Mexico following the detection of New World screwworm in the southern part of the country. About 5 percent of the U.S. feedlot supply comes for Mexico, and this is the peak season for import.

He tells Brownfield there’s a lot of uncertainty about how this could impact prices. “We’re going to have to let things play out here to truly understand that this is a short-term impact or longer-term impact,” he says.