TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The U.S. could soon start importing more beef from Argentina. President Donald Trump says his administration is considering it as a way to bring down beef prices for consumers here.
Beef prices are high for several reasons, including drought, and reduced imports from Mexico due to a flesh-eating parasite infecting herds across the border.
Right now, the cattle market is seeing its lowest inventory in 75 years. According to the USDA, as of July, there were only 94 million head of cattle here in the U.S. Farmers are also fighting against the rising cost of raising livestock – and they say the Trump administration’s talk of finding beef elsewhere is already impacting their business.
There’s no formal plan yet, but with the talks of lowering the price of beef through imports, there’s also growing fear that fewer ranchers will want to sell beef.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is urging the president to instead focus on completing a planned New World Screw Worm facility in Edinburg, Texas. Ranchers are also calling for President Trump to invest in protections for domestic herds – such as tackling disease like Foot and Mouth Disease, which causes painful blisters on the mouth and feet, leading to lameness and reduced milk production.
Farmers say addressing these issues will allow them to re-grow their herds and provide more domestic beef to the country.
Copyright 2025 KLTV. All rights reserved.