Tariffs may be an international issue, but some warn that their impact is putting animal health in jeopardy.
The concern centers around production, with most vaccines and antibiotics made overseas. One large animal veterinarian says costs on critical imported products could go up, forcing tough decisions on the ground.
“A lot of the products, vaccines for example, aren’t necessarily manufactured here in the U.S., so they might come from China, come from India, Brazil. Well, if we’re putting tariffs on products coming into the U.S., what does that do to those products? More expensive, right? And so then, if you’re in a situation where margins are pretty small, what do you do? Maybe you cut preventative care, and so vaccines might be a place that you delay a vaccine program, or maybe you cut it all altogether, and so thinking about this animal health investment,” said Dustin Pendell with the World Organization for Animal Health.
Animal health costs are a small part of a rancher’s budget, but skipping preventative care can put herds at risk. Animal health officials admit that while tariffs might lead to short-term price hikes, it could encourage more vaccine manufacturing here in the United States.
The proposal signals a renewed push to offset tariff-driven losses, stabilize nutrition programs, and broaden eligibility for farm aid, though its path forward will depend on congressional negotiations.
January 16, 2026 11:58 AM
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House Agriculture Committee Democrats are calling for action on the Farm and Family Relief Act, warning that proposed SNAP cost shifts to states could reduce food assistance for low-income families amid ongoing tariffs and trade disruptions that continue to strain U.S. farmers.
January 15, 2026 12:30 PM
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RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney discusses the latest developments in the Supreme Court, trade tariffs, and the future of the USMCA under President Donald Trump.
January 14, 2026 11:54 AM
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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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Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.
January 06, 2026 03:09 PM
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A look at the legislative year ahead as lawmakers return to Washington with a slate of trade concerns to tackle in 2026—from new Chinese tariffs on beef imports to the USMCA review this summer.
January 05, 2026 12:20 PM
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