WESLACO – The U.S. Department of Agriculture is stepping in to help ranchers better protect their cattle.

Hidalgo County rancher Mike Risica is in the business of bringing in Mexican cattle.

He says he welcomes any help to protect his herd as imported cattle can bring potentially deadly diseases, which can impact profit.

"Anytime importing cattle from another country, we'll have concerns," he explains.

Risica says he has to lean on federal government import regulations in order to keep his 5,500 cattle safe from disease.

KRGV’s Frank McCaffrey reached out to cattle expert Brad Cowan to see what steps the USDA is taking to keep cattle protected.

He explains the USDA is changing its branding regulations as part of an effort to fight the possible spread of disease from Mexican cattle.

Watch the video above for the full story.