In today’s beef buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Ethan Lane of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association regarding concerns from the U.S. cattle industry about China allowing beef plant export credentials to expire without renewing them. Lane expresses deep frustration with the lack of U.S. progress in correcting the situation, emphasizing that the lost access represents “$165 a head, give or take, in value to producers.” Despite repeated industry pressure, Lane notes, “We have not heard anything on that front, and so it does not appear that anything was done there.” The silence from policymakers, he says, has been “deafening.”
Lane underscores that the industry had been led to believe beef access was included in earlier trade conversations. He explains, “We were told for quite a long, long time that it was in the mix and part of the discussion, but clearly they weren’t able to make any headroom on that.” Looking ahead, he points to the administration’s plan for annual trade reviews and stresses the importance of making beef access a priority: “Obviously, we’re advocating that this be part of the conversation immediately.”
The conversation then shifts to the emerging new world screwworm threat, which Lane says is “a tough situation” that has placed significant pressure on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. Lane praises her handling of the crisis: “I think the Secretary has done well… making it clear to [Mexico] repeatedly what it is the U.S. side needs to see from them.” He notes that cooler weather has temporarily slowed fly production, offering “a little bit of a breather,” but emphasizes that long-term readiness is essential.
Lane explains that the U.S. must continue preparing for the possibility that the screwworm reaches domestic cattle herds. He highlights ongoing verification work in Mexico, stating, “We want, we need to see them show their work,” and adds that USDA has been “sending teams down there… to verify what the Mexican government is saying.” As for when Mexican cattle might resume crossing into the U.S., Lane suggests there is no fixed checklist but rather “one of those ‘you’ll know it when you see it’ deals.”
Lane stresses a critical infrastructure need: construction of a sterile fly production facility. He is unequivocal: “We need to see that that facility going vertical… We cannot wait on that any longer.” While the dispersal facility is underway, Lane makes clear that both pieces must advance quickly to protect U.S. cattle and maintain supply chains. Throughout the interview, he emphasizes the cattle industry’s adaptability but reinforces that decisive action is required to manage both trade challenges and biological threats.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
