Today, Farm Action released its 60-day analysis of President Trump’s expanded beef import plan, which finds that prices ranchers receive for cows used in ground beef have fallen nearly 20% since the plan began.
Here’s what that looks like on the ground: For a rancher selling a 1,200-pound cow, the decline in live cattle prices translates to about $319 less in revenue per animal.
Meatpackers are the only winners so far, paying 16.6% less for lean beef. Meanwhile, consumers are saving only pennies on the dollar.
“What’s striking about these numbers is how much of the price pressure is falling on cattle producers while meatpackers continue to benefit. This is what happens when a handful of powerful companies have too much control over the beef supply chain,” said Farm Action Senior Director of Research and Policy Sarah Carden. “Lowering what ranchers are paid isn’t a sustainable way to make beef more affordable. We need to address the lack of competition in this industry and build a market that works for both producers and consumers.”
President Trump announced this 90-day import plan in August, promising that additional lean beef imports sold below market prices would bring down grocery bills while helping rebuild the U.S. cattle herd, but so far the numbers don’t show that.
For more on Farm Action’s work to address beef prices and strengthen the domestic cattle industry, check out our rancher-backed seven-point plan.
Farm Action will continue tracking prices across the beef supply chain and release a final update at the 90-day mark to assess whether the policy delivers meaningful savings for consumers or further harms American cattle producers.
Media Contact: Emma Nicolas, [email protected], 202-450-0094
