USDA announces plan to strengthen the American Beef Industry

In recent weeks, President Trump has received significant backlash from the cattle industry over comments directed at ranchers to “get their prices down”. This public commentary preceded a proposal outlined by the administration to increase beef exports from Argentina with the goal of decreasing retail prices for consumers at the grocery store. Naturally, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the largest association representing beef producers in the United States, had strong feelings about this proposal. 

“The NCBA and its members cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef in an attempt to influence prices, said NCBA CEO Colin Woodall in a statement. “If President Trump is truly an ally of America’s cattle producers, we call on him to abandon this effort to manipulate markets.”

Despite the contentious rhetoric, something bigger was clearly afoot. Days later, the United States Department of Agriculture released its “Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry: Strengthening Ranches, Rebuilding Capacity, and Lowering Costs for Consumers.” This coordinated, three-part plan provides significant context to the President’s initial comments. USDA’s plan seeks to respond to the lowest cattle inventory the United States has experienced in 75 years, while answering the 9% increase in consumer demand we have seen grow in the last decade. The three priorities outlined in the USDA’s plan are as follows: 

Protecting and improving the business of ranching

The USDA seeks to increase cattle production in the United States by reforming endangered species regulations, increasing grazing access, enhancing disaster relief programs and examining predator management practices. While these areas are ambitious, they include clear, actionable steps to achieve their desired outcomes. For instance, the USDA plans to inventory and assess the viability of grazing allotments that are currently not being utilized. The agency has committed to ensuring there will be no net loss of Animal Unit Months (AUMs) nationwide, with the goal of increasing rangeland availability and providing increased opportunities for ranchers to rebuild their herds. 

One of the primary tenants of this focus area is improving coordination between the ranchers on the ground and the agencies who work with them. The USDA has proposed the creation of a joint customer interface for grazing permit holders with unified forms, guidance and points of contact for the various agencies involved. By creating a one-stop-shop for the rancher, the USDA hopes to see improved experiences working with federal entities while finding efficiency and consistency in a more streamlined process. 

Ranchers have long struggled with receiving compensation for predator kills, particularly wolf kills. The current standard of evidence required is burdensome on the rancher and an arduous process that often does not result in a favorable outcome for their operation. Under this plan, the USDA will collaborate with the Department of Interior (DOI) to “develop new standards of evidence for compensating ranchers for predations by wolves, bears, coyotes, and other species that prey on livestock”. The goal of this collaboration is to increase coordination between the agencies while increasing response times to predation incidences. 

Expanding processing, consumer transparency and markets for ranchers

American beef producers deserve an edge. We produce a premium product that consumers have come to expect in retail locations across the country. On January 1, 2026, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), an agency within the USDA, will begin enforcing compliance on products that are labelled “Product of the USA,” “Made in the USA,” and other origin-based claims that are included on beef products in grocery stores. Only products that are found to have been born, raised and slaughtered in the United States will be eligible for these “Product of USA” labels. Not only does this help provide distinction for the consumer when purchasing beef products, but it also could lead to increased prices for the producers and processors who are consistently providing high-quality, American-raised beef products.

Additionally, the USDA aims to expand its remote grinding program for beef, allowing increased access for smaller and medium processors that may sell on a more local scale. Furthermore, they are looking to expand technology within their Enhanced Grading program to increase the accuracy and consistency of the results, while also decreasing costs for all meat processors. 

Build demand alongside domestic supply 

This tenant provides the most insight into the Trump Administration’s interest in lessening the volatility of the cattle market’s historical boom/bust cycle. The USDA hopes to increase domestic and international demand, while simultaneously rebuilding the United States’ cattle herd. The goal of this action is for a more consistent market in the years to come. 

One such way the USDA is hoping to achieve these means is through expanding access to beef in schools. The USDA, beginning September 10, 2025, has accepted applications to fund farm-to-school projects through grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. With $18 million in total funding available, the USDA hopes these efforts will improve access to local foods, high-quality beef and reconnect producers with the USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs. 

The USDA has also committed to working alongside Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop 2025-203 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that reflect accurate science and encourage protein as a foundational component of every meal. These guidelines are set to be released no later than December 31, 2025. Many federally-supported food and nutrition programs will utilize these guidelines within their programming.