MANHATTAN, Kan. (RFD-TV) — Strengthening the U.S. beef industry remains a top priority as the national cattle herd continues to sit at historically low levels. A new financial incentive — the restoration of 100 percent bonus depreciation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)— is now giving ranchers a fresh opportunity to rebuild their herds.
Roger McEowen with Kansas’ Washburn University School of Law, joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss what the policy means for cattle producers and how they can take advantage of the renewed tax provision.
In his interview with RFD-TV News, McEowen outlined how the restoration of bonus depreciation could help ranchers recover costs more quickly, particularly as they invest in heifer retention and herd expansion. He also shared considerations producers should keep in mind when planning herd growth strategies and long-term tax management.
Before wrapping up, McEowen weighed in on ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and China, noting that President Trump’s recent announcement of increased Chinese purchases of U.S. agricultural products — including soybeans — could have meaningful implications for American farmers once more details are finalized.
“That’s good for soybean farmers. It’s going to be good for the soybean market, in general. So we’ll see what happens going forward, but we’ve got an immediate commitment to buy 12 million [metric tons of soybeans].” McEowen said. “Now the downside of that, a skeptic would say, ‘Yeah, China was going to buy that all along. They just waited until the market went down, and they bought the 12 million on the cheap.’ But we did get some other concessions for that with respect to minerals and the like, so all in all, a pretty good deal.”
Alissa White with American Farmland Trust joined us to provide insight into climate resilience efforts and strategies to help farmers manage weather-related risks.
January 14, 2026 02:20 PM
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University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share practical health and safety guidance for managing respiratory and skin health during the winter season.
January 14, 2026 02:04 PM
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Roger McEowen with the Washburn University School of Law joined us to provide legal analysis on key cases shaping the agricultural landscape heading into the year ahead.
January 14, 2026 01:49 PM
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The American Farm Bureau Federation’s 2026 agenda centers on labor stability, biosecurity, and economic resilience for family farms. Expanded DMC coverage improves risk protection for dairy operations facing tighter margins.
January 14, 2026 11:19 AM
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A high-stakes legal case in a South Dakota federal court concerning misleading country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL), such as “Product of the USA,” on food products, will significantly impact U.S. agricultural policy for years to come.
January 14, 2026 09:00 AM
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Agronomy experts explain why standing crop residue protects soil and reduces costs for crop growers, while shredding often yields little benefit at higher costs.
January 14, 2026 08:00 AM
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Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
January 13, 2026 03:25 PM
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Brent Graves, auctioneer and mentor, shares his journey supporting youth in agriculture, livestock competitions, and how he is turning junior livestock auctions into a classroom for youth in agriculture.
January 13, 2026 02:43 PM
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China’s beef policy risk stems from domestic volatility, making export demand inherently unstable. Jake Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance offers his perspective on cattle markets, risk management, and producer sentiment.
January 13, 2026 02:13 PM
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