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Farm to Table: Texas ranchers feel squeeze from Trump beef-import plan

President Donald Trump authorized a temporary increase of 300,000 metric tons of lean beef imports in August to lower consumer costs, allowing this volume over 90 days in three 100,000-metric-ton tranches from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said The White House aims to provide short-term consumer relief while allowing domestic ranchers to rebuild herds, with officials monitoring if beef enters 25% below market prices for lean trimmings.
Cattle rancher Hayden Scarborough in Decatur, Texas, said the market "nosedived" after the import move, shifting his business from profit to loss and blaming Argentine beef specifically. "This imported Argentina beef, big effect to it," Scarborough said.
Republican senators including John Barrasso, Steve Daines, and Katie Britt publicly pushed back, warning the plan could harm ranchers long-term, while Dallas restaurant owner Justin Fourton said rising beef costs forced menu price increases.
To support smaller processors, the USDA is providing up to $500 million through its SPUR program, as the department reports four companies dominate roughly 85% of the market and ranchers like Colby McClendon emphasize policy impacts.

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Farm to Table: Texas ranchers feel squeeze from Trump beef-import plan

Texas ranchers say the Trump administration’s beef-import plan is squeezing profits, while Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says the policy could be reversed if consumers don’t see lower prices.

2 hours ago·Plattsburgh, United States

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