RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (RFD News) — The U.S. cattle herd remains at historic lows, with South Texas lawmakers and agriculture leaders raising concerns about cattle supplies and beef affordability.
Rep. Monica De La Cruz pointed to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ efforts to invest in domestic cattle production. She also stressed that efforts to lower food costs should not come at the expense of U.S. cattle producers.
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said food affordability is important but cautioned against decisions that create additional uncertainty or volatility in the market. He encouraged the administration to seek input from cattle ranchers and the broader industry.
Rep. Vicente Gonzalez also provided RFD-TV with a statement on challenges facing South Texas producers.
“The current Administration has abandoned America’s farmers and ranchers. In South Texas, we are struggling to keep pace in maintaining cattle herds amid a resurgence of the New World Screwworm, droughts, tariffs and a war in Iran that has spiked operational costs. Despite Republicans in Washington prioritizing billion-dollar bailouts for foreign agricultural industries, I refuse to leave behind the hardworking individuals who keep our communities fed and will continue to fight for policies that support farming and ranching families while lowering food costs.”
The concerns come as the latest Cattle on Feed report showed placements were down 9% from last year and were the lowest August placements since records began in 1996.
