USDA Plan Boosts Ranchers, But Argentine Beef Imports Raise Concern
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has rolled out its new Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry, a multi-agency effort aimed at strengthening the nation’s beef supply and supporting ranchers’ role in U.S. food security.
The plan includes several measures the California Cattlemen’s Association says align closely with its priorities. That includes directing federal land agencies to review vacant grazing allotments and reopen them for ranchers, updating standards for compensating losses from wolf and predator attacks, and providing faster, higher payments under key livestock programs.
The plan also focuses on expanding beef processing, improving transparency for consumers, and boosting demand for U.S. beef.
Overall, the Association calls the plan largely positive for California ranchers, but they’re raising eyebrows at one development that could undercut its goals: the Trump Administration has now made it official that the U.S. will move to quadruple imports of Argentine beef. According to CCA, that idea has drawn criticism from across the cattle community.
For more on their response, visit https://calcattlemen.org/2025/10/27/california-cattleman-weekly-10-27-25/
