U.S. cattle producers are very concerned about President Donald Trump’s plan to buy Argentinian beef cattle as a move designed to lower U.S. beef prices for consumers. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said they’re disappointed with the President’s plan
“We understand what he is trying to do, but what he does not realize is that in trying to bring the price of beef down for the consumer, it means he’s going to bring down the price being paid for cattle for U.S. producers. So, in effect, this is a direct attack on U.S. cattle producers, and it negates so much of the work that we have done over the years to build the overall quality of our product, a quality that we’re very proud of. When you see the amount of beef that is grading choice and prime, the consumer likes what we are giving them, and they’ve made it very clear that they want more of it.”
Despite the high price of beef, Woodall said demand is at an all-time high because of the taste and quality.
“That’s why demand remains at almost a 40-year-high, and that the consumer is still buying our great product, and unfortunately, the President’s plan will have a huge impact on how we, as cattle producers, can capitalize on that.”
Woodall said the president needs to talk to cattle producers about this kind of idea and the impact it can have.
“We’ve had a great relationship with the White House and with the Secretary of Agriculture. They know that we are good partners, and we have facts and figures. Just come visit with us, and we can talk through any issue that pops up. There also needs to be a realization from the President, from the Secretary, that any offhanded comment, as innocuous as they may think that it is, can have huge ramifications in the marketplace. We saw that on Friday, when the futures market just absolutely crashed, and that cost this industry and a lot of cattle producers a lot of money.”
He said last week’s market crash came after comments about a plan that wasn’t even fully developed at the time.