What’s in USDA’s New Plan to ‘Fortify the American Beef Industry’?

Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a plan to fortify the American beef industry.

“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raised beef into schools, and working across the government to fix longstanding common-sense barriers for ranchers like outdated grazing restrictions.”

The plan includes three priorities:

1. Protecting and improving the business of ranching.
2. Expanding processing, consumer transparency, and market access.
3. Building demand alongside domestic supply. 

A full PDF of USDA’s plan is available on their website.

This news comes as cattle prices plummeted in response to social media posts from President Donald Trump.

“The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “If it weren’t for me, they would be doing just as they’ve done for the past 20 years — Terrible! It would be nice if they would understand that, but they also have to get their prices down, because the consumer is a very big factor in my thinking, also!”

On Sunday, President Trump suggested that the U.S. could purchase beef from Argentina in an effort to lower beef prices for American consumers.

Protect and Improve the Business of Ranching

USDA outlined several pillars of their plan to protect and improve the business of ranching.

Increased Grazing Access

In November 2025, USDA and the Department of Interior (DOI) anticipate the launch of a Grazing Action Plan via a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will aim to streamline and expand grazing on federal lands, elevate grazing as an administration priority, and provide direct relief and support to America’s ranchers.

Formal inter-agency coordination will be established in the coming MOU. A joint customer interface for grazing permit holders with unified contact points, guidance, and forms will be created. A shared staffing model and communication protocols will be developed to ensure consistent policy interpretation across the departments.

This action will provide “ranchers with a one-stop experience when engaging with federal agencies, reduce bureaucratic friction, and strengthen cross-boundary management consistency.”

Address Vacant Allotments

The U.S. Forest Service, a federal agency under USDA, and the Bureau of Land Management, a federal agency within the DOI, will work together to assess the viability of vacant grazing allotments. USDA says there are roughly 29,000 grazing allotments across the nation and about 10%, or 24 million acres, are vacant. This comprehensive inventory will be accomplished through “expedited environmental and administrative review,” according to plan documents.

The agencies will then prioritize reopening the vacant grazing allotments for permitted use and commit to enduring no net loss of Animal Unit Months (AUMs) nationwide.

USDA said the result of this action will be increased rangeland availability that will help offset feed shortages and expand “opportunities for ranchers to rebuild herds without compromising resource stewardship.”

Streamline Permitting and Authorizations

The agencies will align regulations, modernize permitting guidance, and use new and existing authorities to reduce backlogs for permit renewals and annual operating instructions.

USDA says a unified permitting framework will minimize duplicative documentation and reduce administrative burdens on producers. USDA also plans to, “Create expedited pathways for renewals under categorical exclusions.” The department will activate emergency authorities to provide relief following droughts, fires, or other natural disasters.

Increased Communication

USDA and DOI aim to build engagement and mutual understanding between federal agencies and grazing communities with regional meetings designed to identify producer priorities and locally led rangeland health solutions.

Line officers and range staff will be trained on “practical ranch operations” with the goal of bridging the gap between policy and field realities.

A liaison will be established for every wildfire incident that may affect permitted grazing to ensure timely coordination and recovery.

Embrace Grazing Management Tech

USDA and DOI will “promote innovative grazing management tools and outcome-based practices to sustain ecological health while reducing costs for ranchers.”

Practically, this will expand targeted grazing as a vegetative management tool to control invasive species and reduce wildfire risk. The departments will allow outcome-based grazing agreements to tailor stocking rates and timing to local conditions.

USDA and DOI will “pilot and scale virtual fencing and other precision-management technologies to lower labor costs and improve herd distribution.”

Predator Management Updates

The departments, their respective agencies, and relevant state agencies will collaboratively develop new standards of evidence for compensating ranchers for predation by wolves, bears, coyotes, and other species in several states. Arizona and New Mexico were specifically named in the plan.

Increased Disaster Relief

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is enacting provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that “better protect ranchers from economic impacts of natural disasters and protected species predation.”

The Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and Livestock Forage Program (LFP) will offer higher and earlier payment rates to producers. Coverage for unborn livestock will be included in LIP. Coverage will be increased to 100% of market value for livestock that are killed by predation.

Affordable Risk Management Tools

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) has expanded the beginning farmer definition from 5 years to 10 years.

“USDA has also enhanced the premium subsidy of 15 percentage points, additional subsidy for the first two years, 13 percentage points for the third year, 11 percentage points for the fourth year, and 10 percentage points for years five through ten,” plan documents said.

Producers can benefit from this now when buying new insurance policies. “USDA is currently identifying producers who may fall into this expanded category and is working directly with agents to ensure those policyholders receive maximum benefits,” plan documents said.

These changes mean “decreased overhead and decreased risk for the population of producers who are most inclined to invest in their herd. Increased participation in risk management products reduces financial volatility in cattle markets, allowing all ranchers to better manage their business.”

More Veteran Owned and Operated Ranches

USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) will prioritize grant applications in the Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans (AgVets) program that support veterans interested in entering ranching.

The AgVets program is designed to increase the number of military veterans gaining knowledge and skills through comprehensive, hands-on and immersive model farm and ranch programs offered regionally that lead to successful careers in the food and agricultural sector.

“Starting with the Request for Applications (RFA) for AgVets in FY2026, NIFA will include language encouraging applicants to promote outreach and education focused on ranching,” plan documents said.

Expand Processing, Transparency, and Market Access

The goal of these investments, as outlined in the plan, is to put American beef producers and processors first, expand marketing choices for ranchers, and ensure clear labeling for consumers.

Protect and Promote American Beef Through Transparent Labeling

On Jan. 1, 2026, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will begin enforcing compliance on FSIS-regulated products that include voluntary U.S.-origin claims, including “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA.” Late this year, FSIS will conduct webinars and issue guidance to support state and local labeling claims related to FSIS regulations.

Only products that have been born, raised, and slaughtered in the U.S. will be eligible to make these claims, with the goal of ensuring premiums benefit producers and processors with American beef. If there is more adoption of state and local labeling claims, that could lead to additional premiums, according to the plan. 

Promote Fair and Transparent Beef Markets

USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will continue to make public cattle and beef market information available under the Livestock Mandatory Reporting program. The USDA will also make the Cattle Contract Library available and other reporting tools to provide producers with timely market information. 

USDA will continue to monitor industry activities and conduct regulatory compliance to ensure that cattle markets remain open, transparent, and fair for all participants. 

Promote Innovation and Reduce Costs for Small Processors

To add efficiencies to the beef grading system and allow producers and processors of all sizes to access the USDA Grades, the USDA AMS will expand its remote grading program for beef, targeting small and medium processors. AMS will also expand its Instrument Enhanced Grading program, which leverages camera technology to improve the consistency and accuracy of grading and reduce staffing needs and costs. 

Reduce Overtime and Holiday Inspection Fees for Small Processors

To incentivize small processors to operate longer hours and expand their processing capacity, for fiscal year 2026, FSIS will temporarily reduce overtime and holiday inspection fees by 75% for very small processors and 30% for small processors, using $20 million in de-obligated funds from the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The fee reductions will begin in early 2026 and can be retroactive to Oct. 1, 2025. The USDA’s fiscal year runs Oct. 1 to Sept. 30.

Enhance Local Processing, Increase Marketing Options for Ranchers and Consumers

In late 2025, Rural Business‐Cooperative Service (RBCS) will create a grant application window for a fourth round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). Eligible processors would apply for the program in early 2026 with grant funds announced in the second quarter. Grants would total up to $2 million per award.

The RBCS will prioritize beef processor applications within USDA’s Guaranteed Business and Industry Loan Program to allow up to a $25 million guaranteed loan to increase local beef processing capacity.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) will also prioritize small, low-interest loans to new small meat and poultry processors.

“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,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler.

Enhance Access to Feeder Cattle Data

In early 2026, USDA AMS will pilot using vision and artificial-intelligence based technologies to assess feeder cattle. AMS will partner with livestock auction markets to evaluate the technology and ensure it accurately applies USDA’s standards. The goal of the pilot is to expand the availability of market and price information on feeder cattle at auction barns, feeding more data into existing USDA information systems. 

Advance Deregulatory Reforms Under the Clean Water Act

According to the plan, the EPA’s goal is to promote regulatory certainty and clarity for America’s ranchers with a clear definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. The EPA also withdrew a 2024 proposed rule that would have imposed wastewater discharge requirements for meat and poultry processing facilities, which would have resulted in $1.1-$7.8 billion in future compliance costs. 

Build Demand Alongside Domestic Supply

By increasing domestic and international demand along with domestic supply, the goal of the Trump administration, according to the plan, is to lessen the volatility of the boom/bust cycle.

Expand Student Access to Locally Raised Beef 

USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) encourages schools, sponsors, and institutions participating in any USDA Child Nutrition Program (CNP) to source and serve locally grown foods in program meals. FNS has accepted applications to fund farm to school projects ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, for a total of up to $18 million. Applications are accepted until Dec. 5 and awards are expected in 3-6 months.

Ensure Science-Based Dietary Guidelines for Americans

With Health and Human Services (HHS), ensure the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) reflect sound science and practical advice, including encouraging protein as the foundation for every meal. The DGA is scheduled to be released no later than the end of this year. 

The DGA will serve as the foundation for multiple programs, including school breakfast and lunch; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children; what is served to the U.S. armed forces; and how agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) label packaged foods. 

“We face a chronic disease epidemic in this country largely tied to the foods we eat,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. “Under President Trump, we are restoring whole foods as the foundation of the American diet and ending the decades-old stigma against natural saturated fat in beef and dairy products. We will strengthen America’s ranching industry so families can choose nutrient-dense, minimally processed foods. Bottom line: we cannot Make America Healthy Again without America’s farmers and ranchers.”