US ranchers are reeling from President Trump's latest decision, which has left them feeling bewildered and betrayed. The recent announcement to boost imports of beef from Argentina has sparked a backlash among the traditionally loyal rancher community, who see it as a threat to their economic gains.
After years of drought and rising cattle prices, ranchers have enjoyed a surge in profits, largely due to low herd numbers for beef cattle since the 1950s. However, the closure of the Mexican border to live cattle imports has further constrained supply, while steep tariffs on foreign beef have increased costs. Cattle prices paid to ranchers are separate from consumer beef prices, which have risen by 11 percent in September alone.
Trump's decision to import more Argentinian beef has been met with scorn from many ranchers, who feel that the president is disregarding their concerns and interests. "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," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Industry experts, including commercial cattle manager Corbitt Wall, say that Trump's comments were hubristic and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the cattle industry. Wall has watched futures prices for cattle slide down by over 15 percent since Trump's announcement and hopes that the president will leave the industry alone.
Oregon rancher David Packham shared similar concerns, stating that while cattle prices have risen, many ranchers are still struggling due to years of drought and supply chain challenges. He expressed frustration with Trump's decision and felt that it was a "bulls***" statement that had propped open a door for critics of the president.
The recent announcement by Tyson, one of the big four US meatpackers, to close a Nebraska beef-processing plant has also raised eyebrows among industry experts. James MacDonald, a research professor in agricultural economics, views this decision as a shock and an indication of the depths of the US beef shortage.
MacDonald believes that the increased imports of Argentinian beef will have limited impact on the overall supply chain and prices. He expects that while the reintroduction of Brazilian beef may impact the import market, it holds less weight on overall beef supply.
Ultimately, Wall's faith in Trump is shaken, but he believes that ranchers will continue to support the president due to conservative values. "You look at what the other side has to offer, and there's no way people are going to go for that," Wall said.
After years of drought and rising cattle prices, ranchers have enjoyed a surge in profits, largely due to low herd numbers for beef cattle since the 1950s. However, the closure of the Mexican border to live cattle imports has further constrained supply, while steep tariffs on foreign beef have increased costs. Cattle prices paid to ranchers are separate from consumer beef prices, which have risen by 11 percent in September alone.
Trump's decision to import more Argentinian beef has been met with scorn from many ranchers, who feel that the president is disregarding their concerns and interests. "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," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
Industry experts, including commercial cattle manager Corbitt Wall, say that Trump's comments were hubristic and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the cattle industry. Wall has watched futures prices for cattle slide down by over 15 percent since Trump's announcement and hopes that the president will leave the industry alone.
Oregon rancher David Packham shared similar concerns, stating that while cattle prices have risen, many ranchers are still struggling due to years of drought and supply chain challenges. He expressed frustration with Trump's decision and felt that it was a "bulls***" statement that had propped open a door for critics of the president.
The recent announcement by Tyson, one of the big four US meatpackers, to close a Nebraska beef-processing plant has also raised eyebrows among industry experts. James MacDonald, a research professor in agricultural economics, views this decision as a shock and an indication of the depths of the US beef shortage.
MacDonald believes that the increased imports of Argentinian beef will have limited impact on the overall supply chain and prices. He expects that while the reintroduction of Brazilian beef may impact the import market, it holds less weight on overall beef supply.
Ultimately, Wall's faith in Trump is shaken, but he believes that ranchers will continue to support the president due to conservative values. "You look at what the other side has to offer, and there's no way people are going to go for that," Wall said.
Trump's beef move is lowkey crazy 
. Those ranchers have been riding the drought wave for years and now this? It's like he's trying to kick 'em when they're down 
. And that comment from him on Truth Social? Give me a break 
. Like, no one thought he'd actually do it 
. Industry experts are all like "hubristic" and whatnot, but I think ranchers just wanna believe Trump's got their backs 
. Packham is hella salty though 
. And then Tyson closes that Nebraska plant? Yeah, it's a major red flag 
...
. They're like the backbone of American agriculture or something, and he's basically disregarding their concerns. I mean, I get it, he's got a beef with some of them (no pun intended), but this whole decision seems super short-sighted. And what's up with Tyson closing that plant? It just seems like they're trying to capitalize on the existing shortage 
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I mean, we all know Trump loves a good tweet, but some of the language he used on Truth Social was straight-up brutal 
. Anyone else think it's weird that he's basically saying "thanks for nothing" to his own supporters? 
And what's with this beef import thingy... doesn't everyone know how interconnected the whole food supply chain is? 
it's not like trump is tryna wipe us out or anythin he jus wanna see what happens to the beef market n we all no how that works 
they got a point n we shd be heard too 
... they've been through so much with drought and high prices, but Trump just doesn't seem to get it 
. I mean, I can see why the imports from Argentina would be a concern - but is it really worth the rift between him and his supporters? 
. And that comment on Truth Social? pretty out of line, if you ask me 
? I mean, come on Trump, did you really just call out the ranchers and expect them to be all like "oh, okay, we totally forgot that you're the genius in charge"? Get real, grandpa 
. It's not like they've been running their ranches for decades, it's about time some actual experts (aka Wall, Packham, etc.) get a word in edgewise 
he's got some valid points about trump's comments tho 
where all problems are solved by waving his hand around. newsflash trump: the cattle industry isn't that simple 
. This decision by Trump is a huge blow to them. I get it, they've been struggling with drought and high prices, but do we really need to bring in more beef from Argentina? It's like the US is saying "we don't want your stuff anymore" 
. The ranchers are already stressed out, and now this? Not cool, man 
. I mean, Corbitt Wall is spot on when he says the president doesn't understand the industry 
. We need people who actually know what they're doing in charge, you know? 
. The US beef shortage is real, folks, and we need to take it seriously 
.
. They're the backbone of this country, after all 
. Let's just keep an eye on things and see how it all plays out 
and yeah, I can see why they're mad that their profits are gonna take a hit but come on, it's just business 
I need to get my hands on some of that Argentinian beef ASAP 
. Trump knows best and if the ranchers can't handle it, that's not his problem 
. Maybe Trump just doesn't get the complexity of their struggles after 20+ years 
. And what really gets me is that Trump's not even trying to hide how he feels about it - just straight-up rubbing it in their face