Sens. Hoeven, Grassley see more to do for ranchers amid Trump plan to import beef

Republican Sens. John Hoeven of North Dakota and Chuck Grassley of Iowa say they want to help U.S. beef producers grow their herds while President Donald Trump plans to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef meant to lower prices for consumers.

The two senators spoke with reporters after Grassley and his wife, Barbara, toured the North Dakota Capitol on Wednesday. The Grassleys had earlier toured the Minnesota Capitol, and were on their way next to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library at Medora. 

Grassley said the president’s announcement last month might discourage investment needed to increase the U.S. cattle herd, which is at a 75-year low. However, improvements in feeding and genetics have led to more meat coming off of cattle – resulting in a record 28.4 billion pounds of beef produced in 2022. 

“All the money that it takes to restore the number of cattle we need to have a balance between production and consumer prices is going to have to come with increased numbers,” Grassley told reporters.

Hoeven said, “Fundamentally, we want to work with our ranchers to grow our herds” and also increase competition in the slaughter industry and address supply-chain issues.

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The senators also lauded other Trump administration and farm bill proposals to help the herd supply such as allowing more flexibility for the Conservation Reserve Program so more land can be grazed and cut for hay. Other policies support more competition for the “big four” meatpackers with local or small-scale processing or slaughter and labeling requirements for meat so consumers know if they are buying imported or U.S. beef.

About 60% of U.S. cattle were in drought areas as of Sept. 1, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. In North Dakota, 82% of cattle were in drought areas, according to the same report.

North Dakota had 1.73 million head of cattle and calves as of Jan. 1, according to USDA. The U.S. had more than 86 million head at that time.

Ground beef has been at record average prices in the U.S. in recent months, as high as $7.14 a pound in June, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Reach North Dakota Monitor reporter Jack Dura at [email protected].