USDA announced on Friday the coordinated, phased reopening of southern U.S.-Mexico livestock ports starting 24 August 2026, after more than a year of closures due to the spread of New World screwworm (NWS). Douglas, Arizona, will be the first port of entry to resume cattle trade on 24 August. This port borders Sonora, Mexico, which USDA identifies, along with Chihuahua, as Mexico’s lowest-risk states for NWS due to strong inspection programs and geographic distance from southern Mexico, where most cases are concentrated. The closest active case to the Douglas port is 325 miles away and was detected on 22 July 2026. Mexican feeder cattle have averaged about 3 percent or more of the total annual calf crop in the U.S. They are not a domi...
Weighing in on strategic realignment
WPI’s team was retained by the governing board of a U.S. industry organization to review a decision, reached by vote, to invest significant assets into the development and management of an export trading company. WPI’s team conducted a formal review of this decision and concluded that the current level of market saturation would limit the benefits of the investment. Based on WPI’s analysis and recommended actions, the board subsequently reversed its decision and undertook a strategic planning effort to identify more impactful investments. On behalf of numerous clients, WPI has not only assisted in identifying strategic paths but also advised their implementation.