09/02/2026
Act Now! Protect American Beef Production
The Trump administration issued a proclamation allowing an additional 300,000 metric tons, more than 660 million pounds, of foreign beef imports over a 90-day period, on top of already record-high beef imports.
Why it matters: America’s cattle producers are working to rebuild the nation’s beef herd after years of drought, high input costs and shrinking cattle inventories. The decisions farmers make today about retaining cattle and expanding their herds will determine domestic beef supplies for years to come.
Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) President Philip Nelson has warned that beef producers are already dealing with significant uncertainty with the loss of important market infrastructure and indicated IFB is committed to working with policymakers to understand the full impact of this action and advocating for long-term solutions that support Illinois cattle producers and consumers.
Illinois Beef Association (IBA) President Shannon Welsh shares the concern of Illinois farmers that the government needs to let the free market work for price discovery and natural supply and demand signals, without intervention and exploits that are causing dangerous volatility in cattle prices.
What’s at stake: Strong demand for American beef provides the market signals cattle producers need to reinvest and rebuild. A sudden influx of additional foreign beef could weaken those signals and create greater uncertainty for farmers making long-term decisions. Rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd requires long-term market stability and confidence.
The potential consequences include:
· Less incentive for U.S. cattle producers to rebuild their herds.
· Greater uncertainty for farmers and ranchers considering long-term investments.
· Increased reliance on food imports.
· Long-term risks to America's domestic beef supply and food security.
The bottom line: Farmers understand the challenges families face at the grocery store and share the goal of keeping food affordable. But short-term efforts to reduce beef prices should not undermine the producers working to strengthen America's domestic beef supply.
IFB and IBA believe the better path is one that provides long-term market stability and confidence, allows America's cattle producers to rebuild the domestic herd, increases U.S. beef production and ensures consumers continue to have access to a safe, abundant and affordable food supply.
It is not too late to reverse this decision. We urge President Trump to reconsider the proclamation and the economic harm it could cause Illinois cattle producers.
Please note: We have created an action alert that allows advocates to contact their members of Congress and the White House at the same time.
https://ilfb.quorum.us/campaign/168754/
