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Texas Feedyards Need Mexican Cattle In addition to feeding native cattle, many Texas feedyards, especially those further south, feed Mexican cattle to meet the needs of beef consumers. While it’s critical to have an open border for Mexican cattle to head north, the health of native cattle in the U.S. remains the top priority, explained Brady Miller, director of market, mem- bership and education at Texas Cattle Feeders Association in Amarillo. He said Mexican cattle are essential to the Texas cattle feeding business. Regional feedyards have experienced lower cattle on feed numbers as the border closed in November after NWS was confirmed in Mexico. It reopened in early February after inspections by USDA-APHIS were completed and heightened protocols were established. From then until late April, about 177,000 Mexican cattle moved across the border for stocker operations and feedyards, Miller said. “That is compared to about 463,000 in January-April 2024 and 404,000 in Janu- ary-April 2023,” he added.“We average about 1.2 million Mexican cattle imported annually into the U.S. From 70 to 85 percent of those cattle stay in Texas. “That’s well over 15 percent of the cattle our feedyards finish annually. If we took that number out of the marketplace, the price for the consumer would be signifi- cantly higher. Therefore, ensuring that cattle from Mexico can cross into the U.S. safely while protecting native cattle herd health is essential.”
needs, not just for droughts, but with other threats to the state’s growth. » TSCRA’s continued opposition to a proposed Texas high-speed rail system, based on the threat to eminent domain. » TSCRA launched its Leader- ship Development Foundation Working Grant Program, which supports the next generation of beef industry entrepreneurs. » TSCRA members were com- mended for their efforts to raise more than $2.9 million for wildfire relief efforts through the TSCRA Disaster Relief Fund. Money was distributed to ranchers and 50 volunteer fire departments impacted by 2024 wildfires. » The McFaddin Ranch, located between the Guadalupe and San Antonio Rivers in South Texas, was recognized for receiving the Texas Environmental Steward- ship Award for exceptional stew- ardship and innovation program at its beef cattle operation. TSCRA also discussed its drafted legislation before the Texas Legis- lature that bans the production and retail sales of cell-cultured protein in Texas.“We’re not against capi- talism and entrepreneurship,” Polk explained,“but we’re concerned with the health risk involved and the pro- duction of this product.” No cattle meeting can take place without taking tariffs to task. When President Trump introduced tariffs in early April, cattle prices dropped a little. But by mid-month, they were on their way up. By the first week in May, 500-lb. calf prices had surged past $400 per cwt. Eight weights were pushing nearly $300. Fed cattle were hitting $220. All were record highs. “The President’s position on tariffs nearly changes daily,” Polk said.“The market had a bump but bounced back. We look closely at our exporters and their ability to sell into world markets. We pay close attention to it and watch how potential tariffs will impact our prices.”
Polk emphasized that a that main reason prices remain high is consumer demand for high-quality beef that’s being produced by ranchers.“Our industry has moved in the right direction over the past 10 years,” he said.“There are various vac protocols and a strong mar- ket for all-natural. We continue to produce more beef with fewer cattle and fewer resourc- es. We continue to move the measurement from choice to prime grade that consumers are Due to the increasing NWS scare, USDA has closed the Mexican border to imports of Mexican cattle, horses and bison. The NWS status will be revised every two weeks until the issue is resolved.
willing to pay for.” TSCRA Officers
Polk entered his second term as TSCRA president. Stephen Diebel of Victoria is first vice president. Dan Gattis of Georgetown is second vice president and secretary-treasurer. “We’re excited about TSCRA’s future,” Polk said.“We encourage ranches and landowners across Texas and the Southwest to join TSCRA. The rewards are many, especially the access to our Special Rangers.”
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