Agriculture Secretary Addresses Efforts to Preserve American Cattle Herds and Import Beef

At the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins discussed key livestock and trade challenges facing the U.S. cattle industry. She said the USDA will maintain its “not yet” stance on reopening cattle crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border until the New World Screwworm outbreak is fully contained.

Rollins cited the parasite’s history of devastating livestock and the administration’s $1 billion effort to prevent its spread. About 250,000 Mexican cattle remain stalled at the border.

Rollins also addressed President Trump’s proposal to increase beef imports from Argentina to offset shortages caused by halted Mexican imports and tariffs on Brazilian beef. She downplayed industry concerns, noting that even a doubling of Argentine imports would represent a small share of total U.S. beef imports, with only 20,000 metric tons currently imported out of the 2 million metric tons imported from all countries. Argentine imports are primarily used for lower-cost ground beef.

To bolster domestic producers, Rollins announced new initiatives, including leasing 5 million acres of federal land for grazing, funding smaller meat processors, and launching a $100 million “Buy American Beef” campaign.

Rolins also warned that the government shutdown threatened Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for 42 million Americans. She confirmed a partial reinstatement through contingency funds.