Mississippi Cattlemen, Farm Bureau Federation have beef with Trump

Mississippi Cattlemen, Farm Bureau. Mississippi Cattlemen, Farm Bureau Federation have beef with Trump.

Key points

• News Seung Min Kim, Associated Press, Jesse Bedayne, Associated Press August 21, 2026.
• "This deal will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again, " the President remarked.
• State Board of Education hears update on Okolona School District's financial woes, latest statewide MAAP scores.
• On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had concluded a accord "to substantially lower the price of ground beef for working American families."
• A report from the Associated Press notes that the USDA documented that on January 1, the U.S.

Mississippi Cattlemen, Farm Bureau. Mississippi Cattlemen, Farm Bureau Federation have beef with Trump. By: Frank Corder – August 24, 2026. (Photo from Mississippi Cattlemen's Association on Facebook).

President Trump notes the beef agreement confirmed Friday "will reduce prices for Americans while giving space for our Great American Beef Herd to grow again." Mississippi farmers and producers contend the White House is creating an unlevel playing field against U.S. Farmers.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association and the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation are pushing back on President Donald Trump's plan to allow 300, 000 metric tons of government-subsidized ground beef into the U.S. Supply chain.

"As everyone knows, under President Biden, beef prices soared at their fastest rate and the American beef herd fell to its smallest size in modern history, " Trump wrote. "As we work to rebuild this herd and help our ranchers, for the next 90 days, the United States will allow up to 300, 000 metric tons of product for ground beef to be imported with no out of quota tariff."

Trump continued that he had a commitment that the beef would be sold at 25% below current market costs.

For context, a report from the Associated Press notes that the USDA documented that on January 1, the U.S. Cattle herd had dropped to 86.2 million head, the lowest figure in 75 years.

"Beef rates skyrocketed over the past five years, rising significantly faster than food costs as a whole, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, " the AP documented. "The average cost of a pound (453 grams) of ground beef rose almost 57% from July 2021 to July 2026, from $4.39 to $6.89 – hitting a peak of $6.90 in May – with a 10% growth over the previous year. Food rates have risen concerning 25% overall in those five years, according to the bureau's numbers. For context, the cost for a pound of uncooked steak rose 35% over the past five years, reaching a record $13.06 per pound in July, additionally 10% higher than a year before."

Nevertheless, shortly after the announcement, the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association published a statement questioning the move, saying that flooding the U.S. Market with government-subsidized foreign beef is not the way to rebuild the American cow herd or strengthen our domestic cattle industry.

"We are already seeing significant effects in the cattle markets after this announcement. This decision creates extra market volatility and uncertainty at exactly the time of year when numerous Mississippi cattle producers are preparing to market their calves. For these producers, even a relatively small decline in cattle rates can have a significant impact on the profitability of their operations, " the association stated. "Fundamentally, this policy does nothing to encourage rebuilding the U.S. Cow herd."

Further, the Cattlemen's Association remarked cattle producers are already facing higher input costs, particularly for fuel and fertilizer, and are now looking at the prospect of lower cattle costs.

"Higher production costs combined with downward pressure on cattle prices will not encourage producers to retain heifers, expand their herds, or invest in additional cattle production, " the group continued. "At best, this decision will delay efforts to rebuild the U.S. Cow herd. At worst, it could cause long-term damage to those rebuilding efforts and further discourage American cattle producers from expanding production." The Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation agreed.

Mike McCormick, president of the federation, remarked his federation was highly disappointed in the President's unveiled plan.

"This announcement is certainly not a move that we would consider aligned with the Trump Administration's 'America First' agenda. It will have a major impact on cattle rates in Mississippi at exactly the time numerous producers are marketing their cattle, " McCormick noted. "The White House is creating an unlevel playing field against U.S. Farmers who are already burdened by higher input costs since of tariffs and the Iran war. This decision will open the flood gates for foreign adversaries to enter the U.S. Market tariff-free."

McCormick continued that contrary to the Trump Administration's belief, "this policy does not help the U.S. Herd-rebuilding efforts and could possibly do permanent harm."

"Instead, the Administration should focus its time and energy on reducing fuel and input costs for American agriculture that could result in lowering rates for all American consumers. We are deeply concerned this policy will have long-lasting unintended consequences on American food security, " McCormick remarked.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association encouraged the President to focus on policies that lower fuel and other input costs for all Americans, reconsider the decision, and allow natural market forces to work in the cattle and beef markets.

"American cattle producers are ready to produce the beef American consumers demand, " the association remarked. "They need certainty and a fair marketplace, not government actions that create additional volatility and put downward pressure on cattle prices." Regarding the Author(s).

Frank Corder is a native of Pascagoula. For almost two decades, he has noted and offered analysis on administration, public policy, business and matters of faith. Frank's interviews, articles, and columns have been shared throughout Mississippi as well as in national publications. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State. Frank has served his community in both elected and appointed public office, hosted his own local radio and television programs, and managed private businesses all while being an engaged husband and father. Email Frank: [email protected].

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For now, mississippi Cattlemen, Farm Bureau Federation have beef with Trump remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.