AFR Cooperative President Scott Blubaugh:
“In response to Secretary Rollins recently announced initial initiatives to rebuild the American beef herd, we applaud the administration’s efforts to make locally produced beef a priority and recognize the important steps being taken to strengthen the nation’s beef supply. However, additional measures are needed to provide producers with the certainty and support to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd.
The Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) endorsement is a step in the right direction, but a two-year timeframe is not enough to meaningfully support producers making the long-term investment needed to retain heifers. We urge the administration to extend the endorsement to at least three to five years. This longer protection period is especially important if market conditions decline, giving producers the time they need to retain cattle, rebuild herds and recover the significant costs tied to that investment. The endorsement should be implemented as soon as possible so producers have the certainty needed to begin making those decisions now.
We also urge President Trump and Secretary Rollins to support mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) for foreign beef and cattle from the 22 different countries, including Argentina. American producers raise the highest-quality beef in the world, and consumers want to buy American beef first. We appreciate the administration’s efforts to prioritize American beef in local, federal and school purchasing programs. However, clear labeling is essential to support American producers and ensure consumers know where their beef comes from. Importing additional foreign beef is not the solution and could discourage ranchers from retaining heifers. We encourage the president to reconsider these initiatives.
Additional measures, including lower interest rates, financial incentives and tax credits for retained heifers, could further encourage herd expansion. America’s cattle producers are ready to rebuild, but they need the tools, time and market certainty to make it possible. Supporting producers today is critical to ensuring a strong sustainable and reliable American beef supply for years to come.”
About American Farmers & Ranchers/Oklahoma Farmers Union: AFR is a membership services organization established in 1905 as Oklahoma Farmers Union. AFR provides educational, legislative and cooperative programs across the state and serves as a watchdog for Oklahoma’s family farmers and ranchers and rural communities. The organization is actively supportive of the state’s agricultural industry and rural population with membership consisting of farmers actively involved in production agriculture and non-farmers adding their voices in support of AFR principles.
