09/11/2026
🇺🇸🥩 Hot topic right now is the imports of beef and how it’s affecting farmers and ranchers. It’s a double edged sword. Those of us who sell farm to fork are thriving. But the same can’t be said for those who sell their cattle on the market. So what’s the first step in fixing this?
MCOOL — Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.
MCOOL would require beef to be labeled according to where it was born, raised, and slaughtered, giving consumers much clearer information about the beef they’re purchasing.
👉 Here’s where things stand: MCOOL is NOT currently law for beef. However, there is a major push to bring it back. President Trump recently directed USDA to review its authority and develop recommendations regarding country-of-origin labeling for beef. There is also legislation in Congress that would reinstate MCOOL.
Congress ultimately has to pass legislation for MCOOL to become law again.
And honestly… we think that would be a HUGE step in the right direction. 🇺🇸
Right now, with imported meat entering the U.S. market, there is more uncertainty for consumers about exactly where some of the beef on grocery store shelves originated.
And that uncertainty has a ripple effect.
🥩 Consumers who want to KNOW they’re buying American beef are increasingly turning to local farmers and ranchers because when you buy directly from a local producer, you can actually ask:
“Where did this beef come from?”
And we can answer that question.
But here’s the flip side that doesn’t get talked about enough…
When consumers lose confidence in what they’re buying at the grocery store, it can put additional pressure on the commercial American cattle market.
Our cattle producers are dealing with incredibly high input costs feed, fuel, fertilizer, equipment, land, labor while also paying historically high prices to purchase young cattle.
Yet we can still find ourselves in a situation where the farmer or rancher is being forced to take less for the cattle they worked so hard to raise.
That isn’t sustainable. And frankly, it isn’t fair.
American cattle producers should be able to compete based on the quality and origin of the beef they produce.
Consumers deserve to know where their food comes from.
And American farmers and ranchers deserve to be paid fairly for raising it. 🇺🇸🐄
That’s why we believe MCOOL could be such an incredible program if Congress gets it passed and it becomes law.
This isn’t about being against farmers from another country.
It’s about transparency.
It’s about giving consumers a choice.
And it’s about making sure that when someone wants to support an American cattle producer, they can KNOW they are doing exactly that.
Until then, one of the best ways you can support American cattle producers is simple:
Know your farmer. Know your rancher. Know your beef. ❤️🇺🇸
And when you buy local, ask questions. We’re proud to answer them.
I am honored to have had Fox 59 out to discuss things from our side last night!
Americans WANT American beef!
