The Ike Sain Corral

10/01/2026

In August, President Trump opened the door to 300,000 metric tons of additional foreign beef under a lower tariff. That's roughly 660 million pounds.

The promise was cheaper hamburger.

So the American Farm Bureau went and checked. Through September, it tracked the price of ground beef at 41 grocery stores in 22 states.

The price fell sixteen cents a pound. About 2 percent.

At 30 of those 41 stores, it didn't move at all.

Ranchers fared worse. As cattle prices fell, some producers reported losing three hundred to four hundred dollars a head.

Consumers saw little savings. Ranchers took the loss.

So where did the difference go? That's a question worth asking in a market where the four largest meatpackers handle about 85 percent of America's steer and heifer purchases.

We are the Rural Independence Initiative.

We are fighting for change in Washington, for fair markets that pay ranchers a fair price, and for honest labels that tell families where their beef comes from.

Join Us - farmactionfund.us
Donate - farmactionfund.us/donate

Joe Maxwell, President

09/30/2026

09/17/2026

Gov. Abigail Spanberger has declared a state of emergency to support Virginia farmers and producers in response to the statewide hay shortage caused by ongoing drought conditions.

Executive Order 21 allows hay to be transported quickly and efficiently to farms across the Commonwealth by granting over-width exemption waivers to carriers transporting essential agricultural supplies of hay in any part of Virginia, accelerating feed delivery to farms and livestock producers. The waivers aim to help farms maintain operations and protect livestock health as persistent drought conditions have caused a statewide hay shortfall of 500,000 tons. The declaration also provides access to emergency funding, activates price gouging protections and authorizes additional measures if necessary.

Governor Spanberger said the drought has placed real pressure on livestock producers, and the measure will help move critical hay resources more quickly so farms can prepare for the winter months ahead.