Chihuahua Resumes Cattle Exports to the United States with 750 Head Crossing at San Jerónimo
On September 24, the first 750 head of cattle crossed from Chihuahua into the United States via the San Jerónimo–Santa Teresa port of entry. This crossing marks the official resumption of live cattle exports through the border port after restrictions imposed by the contingency of the Gusano Barrenador del Ganado (GBG). The Secretariat of Rural Development shared footage of the morning operation, capturing a moment that state officials framed as a turning point for local producers enduring months of waiting.
“Today we saw cattle leave Chihuahua again bound for the United States, and behind that first crossing there is much more than 750 head: there is hope,” the Secretariat of Rural Development stated in an official release.
High-Stakes Inspection and Binational Health Protocols
The initial shipment underwent rigorous pre-inspection procedures watched closely by domestic livestock sector representatives and sanitary authorities. Gabriel Ayala, director general of Animal Health for the National Service of Agro-Alimentary Public Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica), joined Chihuahua’s Secretary of Rural Development, Mauro Parada Muñoz, and Álvaro Bustillos, president of the Regional Livestock Union of Chihuahua, to oversee the operation at the port.
Parada Muñoz credited the reopening to sustained, collaborative coordination between regional producers, the Livestock Union, and federal sanitary agencies in both Mexico and the United States. He noted that the achievement reflects exhaustive work by Senasica, the Mexico-United States Commission for the Prevention of Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Other Animal Pests (CPA), the International Regional Organization for Plant and Animal Health (OIRSA), and the State Government to establish safe protocols for the reactivation.
“It is an achievement on the part of all livestock farmers and a lot of work by federal authorities, both American and Mexican, from Senasica, CPA, OIRSA and the State Government itself, for seeking and providing the facilities for this reactivation,” Parada Muñoz said.
Gradual Volume Targets and Strict Border Defense
Operations at San Jerónimo launched with 17 specialized veterinary doctors handling pre-inspection labor alongside four canine teams trained to assist in health screening protocols. State agricultural officials expect export capacity to scale upward week by week as authorities evaluate ongoing compliance with binational sanitary agreements.
The medium-term objective for Chihuahua’s livestock sector is to export approximately 100,000 animals for export to the United States.
“It is of great benefit to both the American market and the Mexican side,” Parada Muñoz added, expressing pride in the state’s agricultural output. “Thank you to the livestock farmers who are always doing the job right; we feel proud of the cattle produced in our state.”
Sustaining Prevention Across Chihuahua’s Ranches
Even as the first shipment cleared inspection, state authorities stressed that preventative surveillance against the screwworm remains active. The Secretariat of Rural Development confirmed it will continue rolling out producer training sessions, distributing preventive kits, and reinforcing protocols across local ranches to ensure rapid detection of any potential GBG cases.
Reflecting on the financial strain of the prior trade restrictions, the Secretariat highlighted the resilience of regional producers who maintained intensive animal care throughout the months of waiting. “Behind each animal that crosses there is a family, a ranch, years of work and the effort of our people of the countryside,” the agency noted.
With border veterinary teams on high alert and the first wave safely across the international bridge, Chihuahua’s ranching community looks toward a steadier market horizon.
