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Beef

Cattle Ranchers Urge Trump Administration to Scrap Argentine Beef Plans

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

American cattle ranchers have expressed opposition to the Trump administration's plans to buy Argentine beef, citing the move as misguided and harmful to the future of family farmers and ranchers. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association criticized the plan, stating that it would have little effect on grocery bills. Meanwhile, the cost of beef in the United States has hit records this year, with a 13.9% increase in August compared to the previous year, and a predicted 11.6% increase for the year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has criticized the Trump administration's plan to buy Argentine beef, stating that it will harm family farmers and ranchers.
  • The cost of beef in the United States has increased by 13.9% in August compared to the previous year, and is predicted to increase by 11.6% for the year.
  • The NCBA CEO, Colin Woodall, urged President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to let the cattle markets work, rather than importing Argentinian beef to influence prices.
  • American cattle ranchers have criticized President Trump's claim that they are doing well because of his tariffs, saying that the tariffs have not benefited them.
  • The USDA announced a series of actions to promote and protect American beef, including the voluntary Country of Origin Labeling program, but ranchers say it is not good enough.
  • Farm Action, a nonpartisan agricultural sector watchdog, is urging the Trump administration to make country of origin labeling mandatory and launch investigations into the Big Four meatpackers.
  • Wyoming's Meriwether Farms called on President Trump to immediately use his executive powers to institute mandatory country of origin labeling.

Statistics:

  • The cost of beef in the United States has increased by 13.9% in August compared to the previous year.
  • The cost of beef is predicted to increase by 11.6% for the year.
  • Argentina sold more than $801 million worth of beef into the U.S. market, compared to the roughly $7 million worth of American beef sold in its market.
  • The Trump administration's plan to buy Argentine beef is seen as a move to lower beef prices at U.S. grocery stores.

Sources:

  • UPI (Oct. 23)
  • USDA's Economic Research Service
  • National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) statement
  • Farm Action statement
  • Wyoming's Meriwether Farms statement

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