The Texas Cattle Feeders Association’s annual convention covered a number of topics important to the beef industry. Laphe LaRoe, the outgoing association chair, talked about the damage done to the cattle industry when the U.S. was forced to close the southern border to imports due to the New World Screwworm.
“Specifically in our Texas area, there were some individual yards that were 60-70 percent cattle from Mexico, and some of the individual yards, it was sure enough hurtful for those guys, and hopefully we can continue to get this trade back to being business as usual. We stayed closed long enough that I’m not sure we’ll ever get back to the numbers we used to have. But I think if we continue to work at it, we’ll be able to get back to some useful numbers.”
He’s pleased at the low number of cases overall since the outbreak returned in the summer.
“Absolutely, the sterile insect technique was the chosen way of eradicating it the first time. We’re using that same technology today. Potentially some upgraded technology as far as the Novofly is concerned and those things. But I do have to give a shoutout to the USDA and the APHIS and our Animal Health Commissions for putting the playbooks together. It’s been good, and thank goodness that yes, everything seems to have worked very well, and we’re on the winning side of this one.”
LaRoe talked about the possibility of U.S. cattle herds beginning to expand after reaching record low levels.
“Yeah, that is really such a mixed bag of opinions on that. With these good prices that these cattle are bringing, it’s going to keep some people to probably try to. They may not retain due to prices. Mother Nature’s always first in line. I think there’s a chance that we could start seeing a little bit of rebuilding as long as Mother Nature stays the course.”