Trump Signs Orders on Rancher Support and Beef Markets

President Donald J. Trump signed two executive orders on September 4 addressing rancher support, beef labeling, livestock market competition, and access to meat processing markets, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The actions build on the USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry released in 2025, and the Ranchers First Initiative announced August 31.

USDA also announced four additional actions through the Ranchers First Initiative, including new Grasslands Conservation Reserve Program enrollment, expansion of its remote grading program, increased adoption of instrument-enhanced grading, and a refocused effort to address legal actions affecting ranching operations.

What the executive orders address

One executive order directs the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether gray wolves and Mexican wolves meet the criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act. The orders also direct the Department of the Interior and USDA to update standards for compensating ranchers for predator-related losses and to ease authorization for lethal removal when necessary.

A second provision directs USDA, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, to review its authority related to mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef and develop new regulations or legislative recommendations based on that review.

The orders also direct USDA to prioritize investigations into potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act and increase enforcement resources and staffing. USDA is directed to coordinate with the Department of Justice and report on current enforcement actions, resource needs, and plans for increased enforcement.

Another part of the action focuses on small and regional meat processors. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service is directed to expand the Cooperative Interstate Shipment and Talmadge-Aiken programs, while USDA is also directed to establish technical assistance for small and very small processors and modernize meat inspection regulations.

Additional Ranchers First actions

USDA said it will enroll nearly 1 million new acres in Grasslands CRP. The program will provide ranchers with rental payments and cost-share assistance to maintain rangeland and pastureland as grazing areas.

The department also plans to nearly double the number of producers and plants participating in the Agricultural Marketing Service Remote Grading Program. The program uses technology, including smartphones and a customized application, along with data management and oversight to allow USDA to assign grades to beef carcasses from an offsite location.

USDA also plans to expand its Instrument-Enhanced Grading Program, which the release says is currently used on approximately 20% of fed cattle, or 20,000 head per day, slaughtered in the United States. Under the program, facilities can reduce grader staffing, sometimes by as much as half, according to USDA.

Another action will refocus USDA's strike force team dedicated to agricultural legal actions to address cases involving ranching operations, including what the department describes as unfair or excessive eminent domain claims.

Earlier Ranchers First measures

The latest announcements follow several actions previously announced through the Ranchers First Initiative. Those include developing the Beef Retention and National Development endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection, expanding risk management tools, establishing the SPUR 2.0 Guaranteed Loan Program for regional processing, prioritizing purchases of locally processed American beef for federal and state facilities, and creating an initiative focused on beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers.

The initiative also builds on actions outlined in the 2025 USDA Beef Plan, including expanded grazing access, changes involving vacant grazing allotments, streamlined permitting, producer listening sessions, a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program, predator management efforts, drought assistance, increased payment rates for certain predation losses, broader risk management access, the Product of USA label, market reporting, remote grading, support for small processors, and expanded processing capacity.

Additional actions listed by USDA include efforts related to New World screwworm, international trade agreements and frameworks, regional beef processing, domestic fertilizer production, Packers and Stockyards enforcement transparency, beef grading standards, locally raised beef for students, cold-chain equipment, rural veterinary programs, and veterinary scholarships.

“While the Biden administration chose to villainize ranching and the rural way of life under the guise of radical environmental mandates, the Trump Administration continues to focus on rebuilding the Great American Cattle Herd,” said Secretary Rollins. “For the past 19 months, USDA has worked tirelessly to defend and promote our nation’s ranchers. Through our Beef Plan and the Ranchers First Initiative we are working to continue increasing our nation’s heifer retention rate. Today, the President laid out tools to better equip farmers and ranchers to deal with dangerous predators threatening their livestock, provide more transparency for consumers on where their meat originates, and expand market opportunities while maintaining our world class food safety standards. President Trump is focused on delivering an America First agenda and will do that by continuing to put our Ranchers First.”