Hunter
10/27/25
The US Department of Agriculture has announced a plan to strengthen the beef industry, even as President Trump considers importing beef from Argentina to quell rising prices.
Iowa Capitol Dispatch reports Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said in a news release last week her department’s plan will “expedite deregulatory reforms, boost processing capacity” and work “across the government to fix longstanding common-sense barriers for ranchers.”
Advancement of the plan includes streamlining and expanding ranchers’ ability to graze on federal lands. Additionally, it calls for new standards that allow ranchers to be compensated for livestock they lose to wolves, coyotes, bears or other predators. Part of the budget law passed and enacted this summer allows the Farm Service Agency’s indemnity programs to give ranchers coverage of up to 100% of market value for livestock lost to predators.
The plan additionally calls for the advancement of deregulatory actions taken by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that impact wastewater discharge requirements for processing facilities.
According to the plan, deregulating these reforms to the Clean Water Act will prevent $1.1 billion to $7.8 billion in future compliance costs for livestock operations and meat processors. These deregulating actions have been opposed by environmental groups who say it will lead to contaminated water supplies.
The USDA also plans to issue more funding to support small meat processors. The department will also reduce some of the regulations that increase costs for small processors.