At the 2025 National FFA Convention, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins addressed the Thursday afternoon General Session of the 98th FFA Convention and met with reporters, including senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays, to discuss several key cattle industry issues, including feeder cattle imports from Mexico and the President’s remarks about beef prices. Rollins emphasized that while she values the partnership with Mexico, “our number one biggest priority is to protect the herd that we have in America, which is already at a 75-year low.” She said about 250,000 head of cattle are waiting to move across the border but stressed that the U.S. is “not there yet” in ensuring the new world screwworm threat is fully under control.
Rollins shared that she has been encouraged by “an unprecedented partnership” with Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué and plans to meet with Mexico’s President, Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday morning, to further address the issue. She assured reporters that the U.S. government “couldn’t take it more seriously” and that every decision is being made with the goal of protecting American cattle producers. Despite the pressure from both sides of the border, she noted that as tough as it is,” most U.S. cattlemen have been supportive of the cautious approach.
The Secretary also addressed recent discussions about Argentinian beef imports and the President’s comments on lowering beef prices — remarks that caused frustration among many U.S. cattle producers. Rollins explained that “what the President was talking about was nothing much different from what we have done for a really long time,” adding that imports from Argentina would not increase overall beef supply but would “just mix and match” existing levels of lean beef needed for blending.
Acknowledging the concerns of ranchers, Rollins said she understands why some felt threatened by the comments. “These guys have not made money, have not been able to put a new roof on their barn, have not been able to buy a new truck in a decade… and so I think they, when they heard that, felt very threatened by it.” Still, she emphasized that the administration is focused on supporting producers and helping the cattle sector rebuild.
To that end, Rollins outlined a five-point plan recently released by USDA to strengthen the cattle industry. The plan includes opening 5 million acres of federal land for low-cost grazing leases, investing heavily in smaller meat processing plants, and launching a $100 million ad campaign “Buy American Beef: Product of the USA” advertising campaign in early 2026. Despite the current frustrations, Rollins said she feels “very bullish… encouraged and excited for our cattlemen,” confident that the steps being taken now will protect the U.S. herd and promote long-term stability in the beef industry.
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