08/22/2026
Here’s the find out…
President Trump’s announcement today is a frustrating step in the wrong direction for American cattle producers.
According to a truth social post the U.S. will allow an additional 300,000 metric tons, approximately 661 million pounds, of imported ground beef into the country over the next 90 days without out-of-quota tariffs, with the stated intent of selling it 25% below current market prices.
That comes at a particularly difficult time for Arkansas cattle producers. Drought, higher input costs and historically low U.S. cattle inventories are already complicating decisions about retaining heifers and rebuilding the cow herd. Many Arkansas producers are also preparing to market calves right now.
We know import policy can move cattle markets quickly. Following the October 2025 announcement aimed at lowering beef prices through increased imports, Arkansas steer calf prices fell $41/cwt in just two weeks. Today, feeder cattle futures are already reacting.
American cattle producers have weathered years of challenges while continuing to supply consumers with high-quality beef. Creating additional downward pressure on cattle prices may provide a short-term response to high beef prices, but it does nothing to address the underlying problem of historically low cattle inventories. It could also make producers more hesitant to invest in rebuilding those inventories.
If the goal is a stronger American beef supply, producers need the market confidence to build it. You don’t grow the American beef supply by making it harder to raise American beef.
