Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is pushing back against President Donald Trump’s recent call to import beef from Argentina, arguing that such a move would harm Texas ranchers already grappling with historically low cattle numbers. Instead, Miller is offering his own plan to address beef prices while supporting domestic producers.
The Trump administration recently announced it would quadruple Argentine beef imports in an effort to lower record-high beef prices at the grocery store. This decision has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. cattle producers, including Miller.
A longtime Trump ally, Miller said he sent a five-point plan to the White House on Thursday that outlines ways to strengthen domestic beef production without relying on foreign imports.
“I applaud President Trump for wanting to lower beef prices, I agree with him on that,” Miller told The Texas Newsroom. “I’ve got some suggestions on how to do it in a better, more efficient way that wouldn’t hurt ranchers, but would still benefit consumers.”
### Miller’s Proposal: Strengthening Domestic Beef Production
Miller’s plan includes importing breeding cattle—not packaged beef—to help rebuild the nation’s depleted herds. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. cattle population has fallen to its lowest level in more than seven decades. This decline has been exacerbated by persistent drought conditions and water shortages in South Texas.
To assist struggling farmers in the region, the Texas Department of Agriculture, along with federal partners, launched a $280 million grant program earlier this year.
Miller also emphasized that importing more Argentine beef would primarily lower the price of hamburger meat, not high-quality cuts like ribeyes, strips, and sirloin. Furthermore, he notes that boosting the U.S. cattle population would help reverse the country’s more than $40 billion agricultural trade deficit.
### Additional Components of the Plan
– **Tax Credits for Producers:** Miller’s plan calls for offering tax credits to encourage producers to retain more cows and heifers.
– **Reopening Live Cattle Imports from Mexico:** Imports from Mexico have been largely halted due to concerns over the New World Screwworm, but Miller argues that reopening this supply chain, which accounts for about 15% of the country’s cattle, could lower U.S. beef prices “overnight” if done safely.
– **Expanding Grazing Land:** Miller is urging the federal government to open more land for grazing. On Wednesday, the Trump administration announced it would allow ranchers to use portions of federal land for this purpose—one of the steps Miller had previously advocated for.
– **Utilizing Conservation Reserve Program Land:** Miller also wants privately owned Conservation Reserve Program land, which is currently set aside for environmental conservation, to be opened for grazing use.
“These five actions will rebuild America’s cattle herd, stabilize beef supplies, lower consumer prices, and support our nation’s cattle producers,” Miller said on Thursday.
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By focusing on sustainable growth of domestic herds and strategic policy changes, Miller believes the U.S. can achieve lower beef prices without compromising the livelihoods of ranchers and farmers.
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