In an interview with Farm Director KC Sheperd, National Farmers Union (NFU) President Rob Larew sharply criticized both the administration’s suggestion to increase foreign beef imports and the ongoing government shutdown, arguing that both actions actively harm American farm families.
Strong Opposition to Beef Imports
Larew reserved his strongest criticism for the suggestion that the U.S. might import more beef from Argentina to lower consumer prices, noting that the idea has only served to unite and infuriate the entire industry.
“Nothing will unite this industry more than a crazy suggestion like that,” Larew told Sheperd. “The idea of more foreign imports is not it.”
Larew asserted that the focus on imports destabilizes a cattle market that is currently one of the few financial “bright spots” in farm country. He emphasized that the cattle herd is at its lowest level in a generation, and rebuilding it will take years. The sudden threat of imports creates market instability and discourages ranchers from investing.
“The notion that we might kind of try to do something that’s going to upend the one, you know, really bright spot in farm country right now, I think, is a massive mistake.”
Demands for Market Reform: MCOOL and Monopoly Power
Instead of seeking foreign imports, Larew called on the administration to implement two key structural reforms to benefit both ranchers and consumers:
Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (MCOOL): Larew argues that consumers deserve the choice to buy U.S. beef, a transparency that is currently lacking.
“It is reinstating mandatory country of origin labeling,” he stated. “Consumers themselves don’t have the choice to decide… to know for sure that they are getting quality U.S. beef.”
Addressing Market Concentration: He stressed the need to address the monopoly power in the beef industry, where a handful of foreign-owned, multinational corporations control the vast majority of the U.S. market.
Shutdown Adds Stress and Calls for Action
Larew condemned the ongoing government shutdown for halting critical services, like farm loan processing and ARC/PLC payments, at a time when commodity prices for crops are struggling and input costs are rising.
The NFU has issued an action alert, urging producers and rural Americans to contact Congress and the White House.
“We are so entrenched right now in Washington, trying to figure out who we can blame this shutdown on? And I think the message from farm country is, who cares right now? You know, do your job. Get things rolling again and get things done.”
Larew added that the uncertainty surrounding the shutdown and the marketplace distractions are removing the joy from the harvest season.
“The bottom line is that the current safety net… is not fully keeping up and isn’t working for today’s times.”
Despite the challenges facing agriculture nationwide, Larew shared a positive note about the upcoming visit by NFU leadership to the state.
While President Larew will not be attending, he confirmed that National Vice President Jeff Kippley, a cattle producer from South Dakota, will be visiting the state next week. Larew expressed confidence in the hospitality Kipling would receive:
“I do know that that famous Oklahoma hospitality is going to mean a really good time for him. So we’re excited that Farmers Union leadership is going to be back in the state of Oklahoma.”
The Local chapter of the National Farmers Union, AFR, here in Oklahoma, also gave a statement you can read here:
