Rollins Unveils Administration’s Plan to Boost Beef Producers

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and others in the Trump administration announced a plan Wednesday that is aimed at “reinforcing and prioritizing the American rancher’s critical role in the national security of the United States” — a plan that comes after a chaotic few days of social media statements, market fluctuations, and promises to import beef from Argentina.

The plan includes three overarching aspects:

• Protecting and improving the business of ranching: This includes working with the Department of the Interior on improving grazing plans, better addressing livestock predation, and increasing veteran-owned operations.
• Expanding processing, consumer transparency, and markets for ranchers: This includes more transparent labeling, promoting fair and transparent beef markets, promoting innovation for small processors, and enhancing local market options.
• Building demand alongside local supply: This includes expanding access to locally raised beef and ensuring science-based guidelines for Americans.

“America’s food supply chain is a national security priority for the Trump Administration. We are committed to ensuring the American people have an affordable source of protein and that America’s ranchers have a strong economic environment where they can continue to operate for generations to come,” Rollins said. “At USDA we are protecting our beef industry and incentivizing new ranchers to take up the noble vocation of ranching. Today, USDA will immediately expedite deregulatory reforms, boost processing capacity, including getting more locally raised beef into schools, and working across the government to fix longstanding common-sense barriers for ranchers like outdated grazing restrictions.”

Since 2017, the United States has lost over 17 percent of family farms, more than 100,000 operations over the past decade. The national herd is at a 75-year low while consumer demand for beef has grown 9 percent over the past decade.

Rollins said that her plan’s measures are necessary because increasing the size of the domestic herd takes time.

Rollins worked with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler on this plan. 

The plan is now released after a seesaw past few days, where the U.S. cattle markets were plunged into turmoil and President Donald Trump spoke about the possibility of importing more beef from Argentina. The past 24 hours have seen a vocal revolt from ranchers against the president, even as Trump tries to assuage them by saying that he deserves credit for a lot of their current success.

“Today, thanks to the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Rollins, this Administration is taking major action to strengthen our food supply and the beef industry by offering more security for the hardworking ranches our nation depends on,” Loeffler said in the wake of the new plan’s announcement. “The SBA is committed to doing its part by cutting burdensome regulations and supplying government-guaranteed loans to support our producers as they work to strengthen the American beef supply — for consumers, our national security, and the proud American tradition of ranching.”