With the current cattle herd at a 75-year low, the USDA is taking action to support and grow U.S. ranching operations.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently launched the Ranchers First Initiative to support and fortify the Great American Beef Herd and ranchers across the country. The nation’s cattle herd is currently at a 75-year low, partly due to regulations within the industry. This initiative builds on an earlier plan launched by the USDA in October of 2025 to strengthen the American beef industry.
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins stated, “We are investing real dollars to rebuild the Great American Beef Herd, giving producers the risk management tools they need, cutting the red tape that has squeezed small and independent operators, and demanding transparency in a marketplace that has been consolidated and foreign-owned for far too long.“
Under this initiative, resources will be put in place to help support heifer retention for breeding purposes, federal spending will prioritize American beef, and ranchers will be allowed to use the Emergency Conservation Program on Grassland Conservation Reserve Program to accelerate their recovery efforts after wildfires or other natural disasters. The USDA also remains committed to supporting local beef processing facilities.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Secretary Rollins as she continues to work to support ranchers in the U.S.
- For USDA officials as they seek to strengthen the American beef industry.
- For God’s provision for ranchers in the U.S. as they work to provide a vital food source for Americans.
Sources: Department of Agriculture
