Southeast Missouri cattle farmer weighs impact of beef import plan

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

JACKSON, Mo. (KBSI) — A temporary plan to increase foreign beef imports could lower prices for consumers, but a Southeast Missouri cattle producer says it could also hurt American farmers by reducing demand for U.S. beef.

President Donald Trump announced a plan Friday allowing up to 300,000 metric tons of foreign ground beef to enter the United States at reduced tariffs over a 90-day period. The administration says the move is aimed at increasing supply and lowering beef prices for consumers.

Roy Walther has raised cattle in Jackson since 1974 and currently has more than 200 cows across several farms in Southeast Missouri.

“I’ve been in the cattle business since 1974, and I’ve grown my herds and got three or four farms around here rented,” Walther said. “I’ve got 200-and-some mama cows right now, and I love doing it.”

Cattle prices are near record highs, while consumers are also paying near-record prices for beef. Walther said he understands the effort to bring prices down at the grocery store, but he worries more imported beef could reduce demand for American cattle.

“Well, if they import a lot of beef, you know, it’ll just take away from us selling ours,” Walther said. “If everybody buys that, there won’t be no demand for our beef. You know, it’ll hurt the farmers. Cattle producers sure will.”

The debate comes as the U.S. cattle supply remains tight.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported 28.5 million beef cows as of July 1, down 1% from last year. The 2026 calf crop is estimated at 32.5 million head, down 2% from 2025.

Rebuilding the herd can take years because producers must decide whether to keep female cattle for breeding instead of selling them. Industry groups have warned the import plan could slow those rebuilding efforts, while some economists have questioned whether the temporary increase in imports will be large enough to significantly change retail beef prices.

Walther said he is also concerned about what changing cattle prices could mean for younger producers trying to enter the industry.

“It’s going to be tough on them if they import a bunch of beef,” Walther said. “It’d be a good time to get in right now because everything is real high, but it may discourage them from getting into the cattle business. It probably will if the prices come down.”

Walther said after more than five decades in the cattle business, he hopes consumers continue supporting U.S. producers as the import plan moves forward.