The U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Interior, and Health and Human Services, along with the Small Business Administration, have announced a coordinated plan to strengthen the American beef industry and support ranchers.
The initiative comes as the national cattle herd sits at a 75-year low and family farm numbers continue to fall. Since 2017, the U.S. has lost more than 17% of its family farms, even as consumer demand for beef has grown about 9%.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said the plan focuses on food security and economic stability. “America’s food supply chain is a national security priority,” Rollins said. “We are committed to ensuring affordable protein for consumers and a strong environment for ranchers.”
Strengthening Ranching Operations
The first part of the plan focuses on ranch stability and land access. Through the USDA–DOI Grazing Action Plan, the government will reopen vacant federal grazing allotments, reduce permitting delays, and modernize range management.
Agencies will coordinate more closely with ranchers, particularly during emergencies such as droughts and wildfires. The plan also promotes new tools like virtual fencing and outcome-based grazing to improve flexibility and efficiency.
To strengthen financial resilience, the USDA will expand disaster and predation support programs and speed up compensation for livestock losses. The Risk Management Agency has extended the “beginning rancher” definition from five to ten years, allowing more producers to access premium subsidies and affordable insurance.
The AgVets program will also prioritize grants and training for military veterans interested in entering ranching, helping new producers build sustainable operations.
Expanding Processing and Market Transparency
A key goal of the initiative is to expand domestic beef processing and improve market fairness. Beginning January 1, 2026, the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) will enforce stricter “Product of USA” labeling rules. Only beef born, raised, and processed in the United States will qualify.
To boost small and regional processors, FSIS will temporarily reduce inspection overtime fees. The USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program will also offer grants of up to $2 million for small facilities, while the Small Business Administration provides low-interest loans to help new processors open and expand.
At the same time, the Agricultural Marketing Service will broaden grading programs so smaller plants can access USDA Prime and Choice labels. These measures aim to lower costs, increase competition, and keep more value in rural communities.
Transparency remains a central focus. The USDA will continue publishing real-time cattle and beef data through the Livestock Mandatory Reporting system and the Cattle Contract Library, giving producers clearer information for marketing decisions.
Building Demand Alongside Supply
The plan also connects beef production with growing consumer demand. Through the Farm to School Program, USDA will encourage schools to buy more locally raised beef for student meals. New grants of $100,000 to $500,000 will support projects linking schools with nearby farms and processors.
The upcoming 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, developed jointly by USDA and HHS, will highlight protein-rich foods such as beef and dairy as part of a balanced diet. Together, these initiatives aim to align herd growth with long-term demand, reducing the boom-and-bust cycles that have affected the cattle industry.
From Policy to Practice
Federal officials describe the initiative as a coordinated effort to make ranching more resilient, efficient, and profitable over time. By combining policy reforms with practical investments in land access, processing, and transparency, the plan seeks to strengthen every link in the beef supply chain.
“Ranches and farmers are the original small businesses,” said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. “We’re committed to strengthening the producers our nation depends on.”
The full Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry outlines detailed steps to support ranchers, expand processing, and improve consumer access to U.S.-produced beef.
Read the full plan here.
