As President Trump continues to make comments on importing beef from Argentina, cattle producers in Iowa, South Dakota, and Nebraska have all voiced their concerns.
The National Cattlemen’s Association, along with state farm organizations in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, expressed opposition, saying the proposal would harm U.S. cattle producers and would not decrease consumer prices.
On Wednesday President Trump posted on social media, “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.”
In a press release, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association stated that President Trump’s comments undermine the hard work of U.S. producers, whom he previously hailed as the backbone of the country.
Iowa Farm Bureau stated in a press release, “We encourage the administration to resist actions that negatively impact the cattle farmers in Iowa and domestic beef production.”
The Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association board of directors sent out a statement opposing government interference in the cattle market, arguing that it creates price volatility and uncertainty that hinders beef cattle herd expansion.
Warren Symens, President of South Dakota’s Cattlemen’s Association, told South Dakota Broadcasting that as they stand today, the reason beef prices have risen is due to inflation.
Symens said that beef imports from Argentina are too small to significantly impact the market.
However, he warned that just talking about it on a national scale affects the markets.
Economists say beef prices have increased as the national supply of cattle has shrunk in recent years, largely due to higher costs for raising cattle and drought in the Great Plains.
Due to halts in live cattle imports from Mexico over the New World screwworm, the market is facing a short supply of beef. Demand for beef remains steady and high.
