September 9, 2026

Trump Orders Changes to Support Ranchers, Increase Beef Market Competition

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Friday aimed at strengthening the U.S. cattle industry, increasing competition and expanding opportunities for ranchers and smaller meat processors. USDA said one order directs stronger enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act and calls for USDA to coordinate with the Justice Department on livestock-market competition. It also directs USDA to expand programs allowing more state-inspected meat to move across state lines and provide additional assistance to small processors. A second order directs the administration to examine mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and review protections involving gray and Mexican wolves. The White House said USDA has 90 days to review its authority to establish mandatory labeling and analyze its economic effects. USDA also announced plans to enroll nearly 1 million additional acres in Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program and expand remote beef-grading programs. The administration says the actions are intended to rebuild a U.S. cattle herd now at its lowest level in decades.

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Tariff-Free Beef Imports From South America Draw Producer Scrutiny

President Donald Trump’s plan to increase tariff-free beef imports from Argentina and Brazil is generating concern among U.S. cattle producers even as the administration says additional supplies could help lower consumer beef prices. Trump announced that tariff-free beef would be coming from Argentina, Brazil and other countries. The announcement comes as the United States struggles with tight cattle supplies and historically high beef prices. The administration is attempting to balance two competing objectives: providing consumers with lower-cost beef while encouraging U.S. ranchers to rebuild the domestic cattle herd. The import proposal comes alongside executive orders Trump signed Friday aimed at increasing competition in livestock markets, expanding domestic meat-processing capacity and strengthening country-of-origin labeling. USDA says the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest level in about 75 years. Additional imported beef could increase supplies relatively quickly, while rebuilding cattle numbers is expected to take considerably longer. The combination of imports and domestic cattle policies will be closely watched by producers heading into 2027.

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Illegal Horse Traffic Raises New Concerns Over Screwworm Defenses

Illegal movement of horses across the U.S.-Mexico border is raising concerns about a potential gap in efforts to prevent New World screwworm from reaching American livestock. A Reuters investigation found horses and other livestock are being moved illegally across parts of the Texas-Mexico border, bypassing the normal animal-health inspection system. The practice has taken on new significance as U.S. officials work to prevent the flesh-eating parasite from spreading northward. New World screwworm larvae infest wounds in warm-blooded animals and can cause serious injury or death if untreated. The pest poses a particularly significant threat to cattle production. USDA has made screwworm prevention a major component of its livestock-health strategy as the parasite has moved through Mexico. The department says its response includes surveillance and other measures designed to protect the U.S. cattle supply. Animals crossing the border outside official inspection channels complicate those defenses because infected livestock could potentially avoid veterinary screening. The threat comes as ranchers are already dealing with tight cattle supplies and high production costs.

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Chinese Soybean Crushers Face Supply Squeeze Ahead of Xi Visit

China’s soybean processors are facing higher costs and tightening supplies ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected U.S. visit, potentially putting American soybean purchases back in the spotlight. Reuters reported China’s private soybean crushers face a difficult fourth quarter as supplies tighten in Brazil and tariffs increase the cost of U.S. soybeans. Weak processing margins are adding to the pressure. The situation is important for American farmers because China is the world’s largest soybean importer and historically the largest foreign customer for U.S. soybeans. Chinese state traders have already returned to the U.S. market this year. Reuters reported in August that state buyers purchased at least 13 U.S. soybean cargoes, while USDA confirmed sales totaling nearly half a million metric tons. Brazil remains the primary competitor for Chinese business, but seasonal changes in South American supplies could improve opportunities for U.S. exporters. Agricultural trade is expected to receive close attention surrounding Xi’s U.S. visit, with soybean purchases potentially providing an important negotiating issue for both countries.

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Corn and Soybean Markets Await USDA’s September Crop Estimates

Corn and soybean producers are turning their attention to USDA’s September World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates as questions increase about the size of this year’s crops. The September WASDE report is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 11. USDA’s monthly report provides updated U.S. and global forecasts for production, consumption, exports and ending stocks for major agricultural commodities. Agriculture.com reports traders will be watching closely for changes to USDA’s corn and soybean yield estimates after the August report lowered old-crop corn carryout by 75 million bushels and soybean stocks by 5 million bushels. Private estimates have increased expectations that USDA could lower its corn outlook. Recent crop assessments have pointed toward weaker yield potential in portions of the Corn Belt, while soybean prospects remain uncertain. The report arrives as harvest approaches and farmers contend with tight margins and elevated production expenses. Even relatively small adjustments to yield or ending-stock projections could influence fall grain prices and producer marketing decisions.

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USDA Conservation Staffing Cuts Leave Farmers Waiting for Assistance

Farmers across the country are reporting difficulty obtaining federal conservation assistance following substantial staffing reductions at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. NRCS lost nearly one-quarter of its workforce nationally during 2025, according to reporting by Investigate Midwest and Harvest Public Media. The reductions have left fewer employees available to provide technical assistance for conservation projects involving soil health, water quality, erosion and other farm-management practices. The effects have been particularly noticeable in parts of the Midwest. Investigate Midwest reports Illinois and surrounding states experienced significant reductions in conservation personnel following USDA reorganizations and workforce changes. Staffing shortages can affect more than paperwork. NRCS employees frequently work directly with farmers to design conservation practices and help producers navigate federal cost-share programs. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition previously warned that reducing NRCS staffing could leave the agency with insufficient personnel to administer conservation funding and provide technical support. The problem comes as producers face growing pressure to manage input costs while improving soil and water conservation.

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