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Conversation on beef fans into stampede… In a Press Release today, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association said, “Efforts to manipulate markets only risk damaging the livelihoods of American cattlemen and women, while doing little to impact the price consumers are paying at the grocery store.” Pro Farmer’s Evening Report has covered statements from a few cattle related organizations in recent posts, but rather than finding resolution or slipping out of the headlines, the issue of cattle and beef pricing has been fanned into a white hot flame of back and forth between producers and the Trump administration.
Earlier today, Trump posted a message on Truth Social reading, in part, “The Cattle Ranchers, who I love, don’t understand that the only reason they are doing so well, for the first time in decades, is because I put Tariffs on cattle coming into the United States, including a 50% Tariff on Brazil.” The message ignored fundamental supports in cattle futures including ongoing supply tightness, surprisingly solid consumer/packer demand and the impacts of the embargo on feeder cattle from Mexico due to New World Screwworm.
While NCBA’s release this afternoon did not reference the President’s message, NCBA CEO Colin Woodall was quoted therein as saying, “The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and its members cannot stand behind the President while he undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers by importing Argentinian beef in an attempt to influence prices.”
Jim Wiesemeyer warned producers on AgriTalk Radio’s Free for All on Friday when he suggested President Trump’s focus is on the consumer, not the producer when it comes to cattle.
As if circling the wagons, late this afternoon, USDA released the following… “Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced a suite of actions to strengthen the American beef industry, reinforcing and prioritizing the American rancher’s critical role in the national security of the United States. Since 2017, the United States has lost over 17% of family farms, more than 100,000 operations over the last decade. The national herd is at a 75-year low while consumer demand for beef has grown 9% over the past decade. Because increasing the size of the domestic herd takes time, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing now to make these markets less volatile for ranchers over the long term and more affordable for consumers.”
Following that paragraph were quotes from each of the aforementioned officials assuring producers that D.C. is focused on taking steps to fortify the cattle industry by means including increasing slaughter capacity, reducing grazing regulations and increasing the amount of locally sourced beef in school lunches, among other items.
Click here to read USDA’s entire plan titled, “USDA Plans to Fortify the American Beef Industry: Strengthening Ranches, Rebuilding Capacity and Lowering Costs for Consumers.”
FSA funds disbursal to begin tomorrow… USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced, despite the ongoing government shutdown, aid to farmers will be distributed via the FSA beginning tomorrow. In a post on X, Rollins said quote, “This Thursday, USDA will resume Farm Service Agency core operations, including critical services for farm loan processing, ARC/PLC payments, and other programs — over $3Billion in assistance farmers have counted on in their business planning decisions.”
Planted acreage in Brazil to rise… Brazilian farmers are planting a record number of corn and soybean acres for the 2025-2026 crop season. CONAB predicts Brazil’s soybean acreage will increase by 3.5 percent to 121 million acres, the largest area on record. Corn acreage is also expected to expand, climbing four percent according to initial estimates.
Clean Fuels America runs the numbers on reallocation… The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing supplemental SRE reallocation volumes to the 2026 and 2027 Renewable Fuel Standard Volumes. Clean Fuels America shared the potential impact on U.S. soybean farmers and processors with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. EPA is co-proposing to either fully (100 percent) or partially (50 percent) account for 2023-2025 small refinery exemptions granted this year by adding a supplemental volume in 2026 and 2027.
“U.S. soybean farmers and processors could lose between $3.2 billion and $7.5 billion in crop value over the next two years if the EPA doesn’t completely reallocate recently exempted RFS volumes,” said Clean Fuels in a letter to Zeldin. “Facing Chinese tariffs and growing global competition from Argentina and Brazil, America’s farmers can’t afford to lose the value that U.S. biomass-based diesel brings.” A 50 percent reallocation will include 490 million gallons lost in biomass-based diesel production and $1.4 billion in lost farm revenue.
Notable closes…
Trade issues continued to be negative on the soy complex and are limiting buying interest. On the plus-side, Japan’s is working to finalize a purchase agreement that will likely include some soybeans.
- November beans were 4 cents higher at $10.34 3/4
- January beans up 1 1/2 cents to $10.50
- March beans closed at $10.63, up a quarter-of-a-penny
The cattle market’s efforts to deflect negative comments from President Trump failed today. December live cattle futures opened high-range and spiked resistance at yesterday’s high before falling sharply.
- December live cattle were $5.60 lower at $239.82 ½
- February live cattle down $5.90 to $240.37 ½
- November feeders down the $9.25 daily trading limit to $364.22 ½