Trump's Terms U.S. cattle farmers have beef with Trump over Argentina import plans
Oct 24, 2025
Juliana Kim, an NPR reporter covering ranchers' reactions, shares how U.S. cattle farmers feel betrayed by President Trump's plans to import beef from Argentina. Glynn Tonsor, an agricultural economist at Kansas State, discusses the broader implications of these imports on U.S. beef prices, pointing out that strong consumer demand is driving prices higher, not just production challenges. The conversation reveals ranchers' struggles with rising costs and how political inconsistencies fuel their frustrations. Key insights illuminate the delicate balance between domestic production and import needs.
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Rancher Describes Herd Loss From Drought
- Destiny Weeks describes struggling with drought and rising input costs that forced her to sell cattle and shrink her herd.
- Her story illustrates why some ranchers feel vulnerable to increased imports and want priority for domestic producers.
Farmers Fear Permanent Reliance On Imports
- Christian Lovell worries that relying on foreign beef will permanently disadvantage U.S. producers and favors rebuilding domestic herds.
- Destiny Weeks echoes that sentiment, urging support for domestic producers under an America-first approach.
Higher Quality Drives Beef Demand
- Glynn Tonsor says U.S. beef demand has been strong and consumers are willing to pay more for higher-quality beef.
- He credits taste improvements and higher per-animal yields for sustained demand and rising prices.