Ranchers have largely welcomed the Trump administration’s efforts to reduce regulations and expand cattle markets. But many cattlemen fear additional beef imports could send the wrong signal just as ranchers are making critical heifer retention decisions. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says she understands that concern.
“”I do understand it and probably talked to, oh man, probably hundreds of ranchers over the last week since that decision was made. I think that this moment in time of understanding the president is focused on all Americans and making the American dream a reality through affordability and grocery costs but also understanding if we don’t rebuild the herd and change the trajectory we will lose our freedom so finding that balance is what the president is working to do.”
Rollins also announced a new USDA program called BRAND, short for Beef Retention and National Development. She says the policy adds a new endorsement to Livestock Risk Protection insurance allowing producers to insure the value of retaining a heifer for breeding.
“If someone keeps their heifer today and then in two years, if they had sold it today, they would have made more money, we’re now managing for that risk versus an entirely new government program that has more government payments.”
Rollins made the announcement at the Nebraska State Fair.