How is the Secretary of Agriculture not willing to talk about where Americans are getting their beef from? (Video at URL)

X.com ^ | 8/25/2026 | Aaron Parnas

[Its All Over Except ...]

How is the Secretary of Agriculture not willing to talk about where Americans are getting their beef from?

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TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Food; Society
KEYWORDS: argentina; beef

[Its All Over Except ...]

If some or even most comes from Argentina, we can only hope they have their act togetheelr.

IBTimes UK

China Rejected 22 Tons of Argentine Beef Over a Banned Antibiotic as Trump Opens the Door to 300,000 Tons
8/25/2026

Trump’s beef gamble is triggering an unexpected revolt from MAGA ranchers, while Argentina’s controversial beef connection adds another explosive twist to his 300,000-tonne import plan

https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/trump-beef-import-plan-backlash-1816152

[Mr Rogers]

I’m in favor of importing beef. Don’t know if that’s relevant to the video.

[Mr Rogers]

America’s ranchers CANNOT produce the beef to bring prices down because it takes years to rebuild herds and many places still have DROUGHT.

[escapefromboston]

MAGA ranchers can’t produce enough beef for Americans. I don’t see why they would be mad at importing extra beef to make up the difference. Are MAGA coffee growers mad that we import 99% of our coffee too?

[Cowgirl of Justice]

How do we know it is indeed beef that doesn’t have Mad Cow disease in it or that it might be horse meat or another animal?

[The Duke]

I have no problem at all having beef from Argentina. Their beef is a source of great national pride to them.

[brookwood]

“Mad Cow disease” not a single reported case ever in the US, but other than that, you make an excellent point.

[VeniVidiVici]

China refused a shipment of food and probably lied as to why. I bet there was nothing wrong with it.

And they rejected 20 metric tons. Wow. A whole half a truckload.

[Reily]

Here’s the problem! Almost all due to past environmental wackiness!

Question: Reduction in U.S. Beef Cattle Over the Last 10 Years?

Yes — the U.S. beef cattle herd has declined significantly over the past decade, reaching its lowest levels in decades.

Herd size trends

As of Jan. 1, 2025, U.S. cattle and calves totaled 86.7 million head, down about 1% from 2024, continuing a long-term contraction. Source American Farm Bureau Federation

Beef cows alone were 27.9 million, a record low since 1965. Source: American Farm Bureau Federation
.

This is the 12th year of contraction in the cattle cycle, with the herd down nearly 38% from its 1975 peak of 45.7 million beef cows . Source: Ag Proud

The number of beef heifers available for replacement is also at historic lows, having fallen over 45% since 1975. Source: Ag Proud

Causes of the decline
Persistent drought and poor pasture conditions have forced many producers to send cows to slaughter rather than keep them for breeding. Source: Farm Policy News

Low cattle prices and high feed costs have reduced profitability, leading to culling and fewer heifers retained . Source: Farm Policy News

Climate stress has also reduced the calf crop; for example, the 2023 calf crop was down 2.5% year-over-year . Source: Farm Policy News

In 2023, culling rates exceeded 12% of the herd, the third-highest in decades. Source: Ag Proud

Market implications

The contraction has tightened beef supply, contributing to record-high fed cattle prices in 2025. Source:
American Farm Bureau Federation

If prices remain high, some producers may begin rebuilding the herd, but if prices fall, further culling could continue. Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

American Farm Bureau Federation

Rebuilding the herd is slow — a decision to keep a heifer today would not add to the breeding herd until about 2028. Source: American Farm Bureau Federation

In summary: Over the last 10 years, the U.S. beef cattle herd has shrunk to its lowest levels in 70+ years, driven by drought, high costs, and low prices, with continued contraction into 2025.

So our beef is going to have to come from somewhere! At least until we get the market restored!

[DiogenesLamp]

I feel for American Ranchers, but we have a beef shortage right now. I understand we have had herd culling and droughts, but the regular citizens just want their food prices to come down.

If food prices are high come the midterms, there is a very good chance the insane people get voted in, and then everything will start getting much worse.

We have to bite the bullet on this thing, because not allowing the wackos to take control of the congress is more important than foreign competition bringing down the cost of beef at the expense of American Ranchers.

Many citizens. Not so many Ranchers.

This is politics, and sometimes it works out ugly.

[DiogenesLamp]

America’s ranchers CANNOT produce the beef to bring prices down because it takes years to rebuild herds and many places still have DROUGHT.

Exactly, and if the public isn't relatively happy come election time, they vote the corrupt wackos into power, and then everything gets much worse.

Many citizens worried about food. Few Ranchers. We have to do what we have to do to keep the public as happy as we can.

[DiogenesLamp]

MAGA ranchers can’t produce enough beef for Americans. I don’t see why they would be mad at importing extra beef to make up the difference. Are MAGA coffee growers mad that we import 99% of our coffee too?

Because of the supply shortage, they get higher prices for their beef. This means higher profits for them.

Foreign beef coming into our market will bring prices down, and that cuts the amount of money going to American Ranchers.

Of course they are pissed, but this is what needs to be done right now.

[whitney69]

“I’m in favor of importing beef.”

We already do. While most beef in the United States comes from domestic farms and ranches, a significant portion is imported from other countries to make up for local supply shortages. Also, a lot of foreign products, and beef is included, can be less costly.

A couple of reasons there. Years of severe drought across major ranching states have dried up grazing pastures and water sources, forcing ranchers to sell off cattle and reduce herd size. Additionally ranchers face steep inflation for everyday necessities like feed, fuel, fertilizer, veterinary care, and equipment. Another interting thing is a small group of massive meatpacking companies controls the vast majority of beef processing, which critics and ongoing investigations argue creates market bottlenecks and uneven pricing power. So it is not hidden why the cost continues to grow. Not all news is demanded. This article is just another hit piece.

wy69

[yelostar]

Does it need to be said?

China!

"The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them." - Patrick Henry

[kaktuskid]

Ranchers make money on steaks and roasts..not ground beef.
I imagine this imported ground beef will be mostly going into processed foods like frozen meatballs and canned chili.

[kaktuskid]

Break up the meat packers like Tyson and Cargill. And the seed companies and fertilizer companies.

[DiogenesLamp]

Ranchers make money on steaks and roasts..not ground beef. I imagine this imported ground beef will be mostly going into processed foods like frozen meatballs and canned chili.

I hadn't heard that it was ground beef.

[DiogenesLamp]

Break up the meat packers like Tyson and Cargill. And the seed companies and fertilizer companies.

I don't know enough about this industry to have an informed opinion on the subject.

[Glad2bnuts]

Why would the market be restored, when our food supply can be held hostage in the event of “unforseen circumstances”? Since when is it a positive to be hostage to foreign food sources. Coffee is a luxury, protein is essential. It is like outsourcing our building of arms.