By Ryan McGeeney
Historically small herds, record market prices and the return of the New World Screwworm within U.S. borders have already made 2026 a volatile year for U.S. cattle producers.
On Aug. 26, the puzzle became even more complicated when President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation allowing of up to 300,000 additional metric tons of lean beef trimmings to come into the country at a lower tariff rate during a 90-day window.
Imported lean beef trimmings are often used to supplement U.S. ground beef production.
The proclamation also specified that this additional imported beef be sold at 25 percent below current market prices, although Mitchell said that how the discount will work is unclear.
James Mitchell, extension economist for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, said that even before Trump’s original Aug. 21 announcement, the U.S. cattle market was experiencing heightened price volatility.
“It’s been a crazy few weeks, with a lot of news about external factors leading to some large price swings,” Mitchell said. “Fundamentally, cattle and beef prices have remained strong because the United States simply has fewer cattle.
Source : uada.edu