{ "data_version": "1", "schema": "https://whatledto.com/data", "slug": "us-beef-prices", "title": "Record Beef Prices: The Smallest Herd Since 1951, the Packer Probe and the Import Fix", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices", "markdown": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices.md", "feed": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices/feed.xml", "vertical": "economy", "topic": "Economy", "status": "live", "tags": [ { "slug": "antitrust", "name": "Antitrust", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/antitrust" }, { "slug": "beef", "name": "Beef", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/beef" }, { "slug": "brooke-rollins", "name": "Brooke Rollins", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/brooke-rollins" }, { "slug": "cattle", "name": "Cattle", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/cattle" }, { "slug": "donald-trump", "name": "Donald Trump", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/donald-trump" }, { "slug": "food-prices", "name": "Food prices", "url": "https://whatledto.com/tags/food-prices" } ], "created_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.486053+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-09-12T03:32:44.487327+00:00", "last_researched_at": "2026-09-12T03:20:10.096065+00:00", "tldr": "Drought in 2021-22 forced ranchers to liquidate breeding stock, and the U.S. cattle herd then declined from 89.3 million head on January 1, 2023 to 86.2 million on January 1, 2026, its smallest level since 1951. The May 2025 closure to Mexican live-cattle imports further tightened feeder supplies, while cattle markets and retail beef prices rose sharply; USDA forecast beef and veal prices would rise 9.8 percent in 2026. Washington has responded by reopening one Mexican crossing under a screwworm protocol, expanding tariff-free beef import quotas, backing herd retention and smaller processors, and investigating packers and major grocery chains. The central question is whether imports and enforcement can reduce consumer prices without further discouraging the herd rebuilding that is needed to ease the underlying supply shortage.", "hero_image": "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1782199483817-54eee491cbd9?ixid=M3w5OTg1Nzd8MHwxfGFsbHx8fHx8fHx8fDE3ODkxODM5NjN8&ixlib=rb-4.1.0&w=1600&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", "hero_credit": { "source": "unsplash", "photo_id": "J7gREaYh5Q0", "photographer": "Leo_Visions", "photographer_url": "https://unsplash.com/@leo_visions_?utm_source=whatledto&utm_medium=referral", "photo_url": "https://unsplash.com/photos/a-herd-of-cattle-grazes-in-a-vast-green-field-J7gREaYh5Q0?utm_source=whatledto&utm_medium=referral", "description": "A herd of cattle grazes in a vast green field", "license": "", "license_url": "" }, "entities": [ { "id": "ahold-delhaize-usa", "name": "Ahold Delhaize USA", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "albertsons", "name": "Albertsons", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "aldi", "name": "Aldi", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "amazon-web-services", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/amazon-web-services", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/amazon-web-services.json", "name": "Amazon", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "big-four-beef-packers", "name": "Big Four beef packers", "kind": "company", "role": "The four major processors, collectively controlling more than 85 percent of the business according to DOJ, that are the initial focus of the antitrust investigation." }, { "id": "cargill", "name": "Cargill", "kind": "company", "role": "It was one of the Big Four beef packers in the Justice Department's criminal antitrust investigation." }, { "id": "costco", "name": "Costco", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "jbs", "name": "JBS", "kind": "company", "role": "It was one of the Big Four beef packers in the Justice Department's criminal antitrust investigation." }, { "id": "kroger", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/kroger", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/kroger.json", "name": "Kroger", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "national-beef-packing", "name": "National Beef Packing", "kind": "company", "role": "It was one of the Big Four beef packers in the Justice Department's criminal antitrust investigation." }, { "id": "national-cattlemens-beef-association", "name": "National Cattlemen's Beef Association", "kind": "company", "role": "Represents cattle producers and has opposed the large tariff-free beef import actions as harmful to herd rebuilding." }, { "id": "publix", "name": "Publix", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "tyson-foods", "name": "Tyson Foods", "kind": "company", "role": "It was one of the Big Four beef packers in the Justice Department's criminal antitrust investigation." }, { "id": "walmart", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/walmart", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/walmart.json", "name": "Walmart", "kind": "company", "role": "One of eight grocery chains asked by DOJ for beef pricing, cost, margin, and strategy records." }, { "id": "new-world-screwworm", "name": "New World screwworm", "kind": "other", "role": "Pest targeted by USDA sterile-fly response measures." }, { "id": "us-cattle-ranchers", "name": "U.S. cattle ranchers", "kind": "other", "role": "Reduced breeding herds during drought and are the intended beneficiaries of retention, grazing, finance, and processing initiatives." }, { "id": "associate-attorney-general-woodward", "name": "Associate Attorney General Woodward", "kind": "person", "role": "Sent July 2026 information requests to eight grocery chains as the Justice Department assessed beef-price trends." }, { "id": "brooke-rollins", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/brooke-rollins", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/brooke-rollins.json", "name": "Brooke Rollins", "kind": "person", "role": "The Agriculture Secretary who ordered the 2025 border closure and announced the beef-industry, processing, and herd-rebuilding initiatives." }, { "id": "chuck-grassley", "name": "Chuck Grassley", "kind": "person", "role": "He said the president ought to stop talking about beef prices." }, { "id": "colin-woodall", "name": "Colin Woodall", "kind": "person", "role": "As NCBA chief executive, he said government-subsidised below-market beef was not the way to rebuild the American herd." }, { "id": "donald-trump", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/donald-trump", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/donald-trump.json", "name": "Donald Trump", "kind": "person", "role": "President whose administration issued the September 2026 executive orders." }, { "id": "doug-burgum", "name": "Doug Burgum", "kind": "person", "role": "Secretary of the Interior who joined the October 2025 beef-industry announcement." }, { "id": "kelly-loeffler", "name": "Kelly Loeffler", "kind": "person", "role": "Small Business Administrator who joined the October 2025 beef-industry announcement." }, { "id": "president-donald-trump", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/president-donald-trump", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/president-donald-trump.json", "name": "President Donald Trump", "kind": "person", "role": "Ordered the meatpacking investigation and issued the tariff-quota proclamations and September livestock-market orders." }, { "id": "robert-f-kennedy-jr", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/robert-f-kennedy-jr", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/robert-f-kennedy-jr.json", "name": "Robert F. Kennedy Jr.", "kind": "person", "role": "Secretary of Health and Human Services who joined the October 2025 beef-industry announcement." }, { "id": "stanley-woodward", "name": "Stanley Woodward", "kind": "person", "role": "As Associate Attorney General, he sent letters to eight grocery chains seeking beef-price, cost, margin and pricing information." }, { "id": "todd-blanche", "name": "Todd Blanche", "kind": "person", "role": "The acting Attorney General who publicly confirmed the Justice Department's criminal investigation into major beef packers." }, { "id": "lean-beef-trimmings", "name": "Lean beef trimmings", "kind": "product", "role": "Imported lean trimmings are blended with fattier domestic beef to make ground beef, the product targeted by the February quota action." }, { "id": "ranchers-first-initiative", "name": "Ranchers First Initiative", "kind": "product", "role": "USDA package intended to help producers retain heifers, expand regional processing, and rebuild the cattle herd." }, { "id": "remote-grading-program-for-beef", "name": "Remote Grading Program for Beef", "kind": "product", "role": "USDA beef-grading program for which Agricultural Marketing Service launched a mobile application." }, { "id": "spur", "name": "SPUR", "kind": "product", "role": "USDA's guaranteed-loan program intended to support regional beef processing capacity under the Ranchers First Initiative." }, { "id": "agricultural-marketing-service", "name": "Agricultural Marketing Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "USDA service that launched the Remote Grading Program for Beef mobile application." }, { "id": "animal-and-plant-health-inspection-service", "name": "Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "USDA service that announced sterile-fly dispersal actions and facility completion." }, { "id": "argentina", "name": "Argentina", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Received a separate temporary 80,000-metric-ton tariff-free allocation of lean beef trimmings for 2026." }, { "id": "department-of-health-and-human-services", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/department-of-health-and-human-services", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/department-of-health-and-human-services.json", "name": "Department of Health and Human Services", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Federal department that joined the October 2025 beef-industry announcement." }, { "id": "department-of-the-interior", "name": "Department of the Interior", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Federal department that joined the October 2025 beef-industry announcement." }, { "id": "economic-research-service", "name": "Economic Research Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "USDA research service that issued the 2026 beef-and-veal price forecast." }, { "id": "federal-trade-commission", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/federal-trade-commission", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/federal-trade-commission.json", "name": "Federal Trade Commission", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Was directed under Executive Order 14364 to create a Food Supply Chain Security Task Force alongside the Justice Department's task force." }, { "id": "food-safety-and-inspection-service", "name": "Food Safety and Inspection Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Since January 2026 has enforced voluntary \"Product of USA\" and similar U.S.-origin claims before products enter commerce." }, { "id": "mexico", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/mexico", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/mexico.json", "name": "Mexico", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Supplies feeder cattle to U.S. feedlots; live-cattle trade remains limited to a phased reopening at Douglas because of screwworm controls." }, { "id": "national-agricultural-statistics-service", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/national-agricultural-statistics-service", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/national-agricultural-statistics-service.json", "name": "National Agricultural Statistics Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "USDA statistical service that reported U.S. cattle and beef-cow inventory figures." }, { "id": "office-of-the-united-states-trade-representative", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/office-of-the-united-states-trade-representative", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/office-of-the-united-states-trade-representative.json", "name": "Office of the United States Trade Representative", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Agency designated to consult with USDA on the review of mandatory beef origin-labeling authority." }, { "id": "small-business-administration", "name": "Small Business Administration", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Federal agency that joined the October 2025 beef-industry announcement." }, { "id": "us-department-of-agriculture", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/us-department-of-agriculture", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/us-department-of-agriculture.json", "name": "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Leads the federal beef response through import rules, rancher programs, processing support, grazing actions, and livestock-market oversight." }, { "id": "us-department-of-justice", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/us-department-of-justice", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/us-department-of-justice.json", "name": "U.S. Department of Justice", "kind": "regulator", "role": "It confirmed a criminal antitrust investigation of the Big Four beef packers and expanded its beef inquiry to eight grocery chains." }, { "id": "us-department-of-justice-antitrust-division", "name": "U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Is conducting a criminal antitrust investigation into beef packers and has sought pricing information from eight grocery chains." }, { "id": "usda-animal-and-plant-health-inspection-service", "name": "USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Closed the southern border to live cattle over New World screwworm and administers the phased reopening protocol at Douglas, Arizona." }, { "id": "usda-national-agricultural-statistics-service", "name": "USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Publishes the cattle-inventory data showing the national herd at a 75-year low in January 2026." }, { "id": "united-states-trade-representative", "name": "United States Trade Representative", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Must be consulted in USDA's review of possible mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef." }, { "id": "us-government", "url": "https://whatledto.com/who/us-government", "json": "https://whatledto.com/who/us-government.json", "name": "White House", "kind": "regulator", "role": "Issuer of Executive Orders 14424 and 14425." } ], "nodes": [ { "id": 996, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n996", "date": "2023-01-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "U.S. cattle inventory falls to 89.3 million head", "summary": "U.S. cattle and calf inventory totaled 89.3 million head on January 1, 2023. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that the total was 3 percent below the January 1, 2022 inventory.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "National Agricultural Statistics Service" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "national-agricultural-statistics-service" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page states that U.S. cattle and calf inventory as of January 1, 2023 totaled 89.3 million head, down 3 percent from 92.1 million on January 1, 2022. The quoted text appears on the page, aside from line wrapping.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Regional_Office/Southern/includes/Publications/Livestock_Releases/Cattle_Inventory/Cattle2023.pdf", "outlet": "USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service", "published": "2023-01-31", "quote": "Inventory of all cattle and calves in the United States, as of January 1, 2023, totaled 89.3 million head, down 3 percent from the 92.1 million head on January 1, 2022." } ] }, { "id": 997, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n997", "date": "2024-01-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "U.S. cattle inventory declines to 87.2 million head", "summary": "U.S. cattle and calf inventory totaled 87.2 million head on January 1, 2024. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that the total was 2 percent below its stated January 1, 2023 comparison level.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "National Agricultural Statistics Service" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "national-agricultural-statistics-service" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page states that U.S. cattle and calves inventory as of January 1, 2024 totaled 87.2 million head, down 2 percent from 88.8 million on January 1, 2023. The stated event date matches the report.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Regional_Office/Southern/includes/Publications/Livestock_Releases/Cattle_Inventory/Cattle2024.pdf", "outlet": "USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service", "published": "2024-01-31", "quote": "Inventory of all cattle and calves in the United States, as of January 1, 2024, totaled 87.2 million head, down 2 percent from the 88.8 million head on January 1, 2023." } ] }, { "id": 998, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n998", "date": "2025-01-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "U.S. cattle inventory reaches 86.7 million head", "summary": "U.S. farms had 86.7 million cattle and calves as of January 1, 2025. The National Agricultural Statistics Service published the Cattle report containing the figure.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "National Agricultural Statistics Service" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "national-agricultural-statistics-service" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page states that U.S. farms had 86.7 million cattle and calves as of January 1, 2025, and attributes the figure to NASS's Cattle report. The page reproduces the quoted text; its release dateline says January 31, 2024, but the stated inventory event date is January 1, 2025.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/archive/2025/01-31-2025.php", "outlet": "USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service", "published": "2025-01-31", "quote": "There were 86.7 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)." } ] }, { "id": 977, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n977", "date": "2025-05-11", "date_precision": "day", "title": "USDA closes the southern border to live cattle over New World screwworm", "summary": "Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins suspended imports of live cattle, horses and bison through every port of entry on the southern border, after the flesh-eating parasite was found on farms about 700 miles from the US line. Mexican feeder cattle had supplied roughly 5 percent of US feedlot placements, and the closure removed that supply just as the domestic herd was already shrinking.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "Brooke Rollins", "U.S. Department of Agriculture" ], "parties": [ "brooke-rollins", "us-department-of-agriculture" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494018+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-announcements/secretary-rollins-suspends-live-animal-imports-through-ports-entry-along", "outlet": "USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service", "published": "2025-05-11", "quote": "(Washington, D.C., May 11, 2025) - U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today announced the suspension of live cattle, horse, and bison imports through U.S. ports of entry along the southern border due to the continued and rapid northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, effective immediately. NWS has been recently detected in remote farms with minimal cattle movement as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, about 700 miles away from the U.S. border." }, { "url": "https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/14/health/mexico-cattle-imports-halted-screwworm", "outlet": "CNN", "published": "2025-05-14", "quote": "The US Department of Agriculture has suspended the transport of live cattle, horses and bison through ports of entry along the border with Mexico for at least two weeks. It's part of an effort to curb the spread of New World screwworm, a flesh-burrowing larva that can be fatal to animals and devastate cattle herds." } ] }, { "id": 978, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n978", "date": "2025-07-19", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Beef prices hit record highs with no end in sight", "summary": "Retail beef was already at an all-time high in the summer of 2025, and analysts told Axios the cause was a supply problem years in the making: the 2021-2022 drought had forced ranchers to sell breeding stock, and rebuilding a herd takes years because a heifer held back is a calf not sold.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "Axios" ], "parties": [ "axios" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494148+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.axios.com/2025/07/19/beef-prices-2025-cpi-inflation", "outlet": "Axios", "published": "2025-07-19", "quote": "A multi-year drought shrunk cattle herds, and global imports are under threat - but consumer demand remains strong." } ] }, { "id": 979, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n979", "date": "2025-10-20", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Trump floats buying Argentine beef, and cattle groups object", "summary": "Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the United States would buy beef from Argentina to bring prices down and to help Buenos Aires. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association objected that the move rewarded a country that sells far more beef to the US than it buys, and Senator Chuck Grassley told AgriTalk the president ought to stop talking about beef prices.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "Donald Trump", "National Cattlemen's Beef Association", "Colin Woodall", "Chuck Grassley" ], "parties": [ "donald-trump", "national-cattlemens-beef-association", "colin-woodall", "chuck-grassley" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494215+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.drovers.com/news/industry/argentina-beef-answer-lowering-beef-prices", "outlet": "Drovers", "published": "2025-10-20", "quote": "\"We would buy some beef from Argentina,\" he told reporters aboard Air Force One during a flight from Florida to Washington." } ] }, { "id": 999, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n999", "date": "2025-10-22", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Federal departments announce Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry", "summary": "The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of the Interior, Department of Health and Human Services, and Small Business Administration announced actions for the American beef industry. The announcement identified the role of American ranchers in national security.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Department of the Interior", "Department of Health and Human Services", "Small Business Administration", "Brooke Rollins", "Doug Burgum", "Robert F. Kennedy Jr.", "Kelly Loeffler" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "department-of-the-interior", "department-of-health-and-human-services", "small-business-administration", "brooke-rollins", "doug-burgum", "robert-f-kennedy-jr", "kelly-loeffler" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The USDA press release is readable and is titled \"Secretary Rollins Announces Plan for American Ranchers and Consumers.\" It states that the four officials announced actions to strengthen the American beef industry and uses the quoted language about ranchers' critical role in U.S. national security; it is published October 22, 2025.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/10/22/secretary-rollins-announces-plan-american-ranchers-and-consumers", "outlet": "USDA", "published": "2025-10-22", "quote": "Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced a suite of actions to strengthen the American beef industry, reinforcing and prioritizing the American rancher’s critical role in the national security of the United States." } ] }, { "id": 980, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n980", "date": "2025-11-07", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Trump orders a Justice Department investigation of the meatpackers", "summary": "In a Truth Social post, Trump said he had asked the Justice Department to investigate the meatpacking industry for collusion and price fixing, arguing that ranchers were being blamed for prices set by what he called majority foreign-owned packers. Ground beef was up about 13 percent year over year at the time, rising faster than almost anything else in the Consumer Price Index.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "Donald Trump", "U.S. Department of Justice" ], "parties": [ "donald-trump", "us-department-of-justice" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494264+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.axios.com/2025/11/07/trump-beef-doj", "outlet": "Axios", "published": "2025-11-07", "quote": "\"Action must be taken immediately to protect Consumers, combat Illegal Monopolies, and ensure these Corporations are not criminally profiting at the expense of the American People,\" Trump wrote." }, { "url": "https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-orders-doj-investigate-meatpacking-companies-illicit-collusion-amid-rising-beef-prices", "outlet": "Fox Business", "published": "2025-11-07", "quote": "\"I have asked the DOJ to immediately begin an investigation into the Meat Packing Companies who are driving up the price of Beef through Illicit Collusion, Price Fixing, and Price Manipulation,\" Trump wrote." } ] }, { "id": 981, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n981", "date": "2025-12-06", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Executive Order 14364 sets up food supply chain task forces at DOJ and the FTC", "summary": "The order told the Attorney General and the FTC chairman each to stand up a Food Supply Chain Security Task Force to investigate whether anti-competitive behaviour exists in US food supply chains, and whether foreign control of food industries raises prices or creates a national security risk. It named meat processing alongside seed, fertiliser and equipment, and directed the Attorney General to open criminal proceedings if the task force found collusion.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "Donald Trump", "U.S. Department of Justice", "Federal Trade Commission" ], "parties": [ "donald-trump", "us-department-of-justice", "federal-trade-commission" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494306+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/eo-14364.pdf", "outlet": "Federal Register (Presidential Documents)", "published": "2025-12-10", "quote": "Should the Department of Justice Food Supply Chain Security Task Force uncover any evidence of criminal collusion, the Attorney General shall commence criminal proceedings as appropriate, including grand jury investigations." } ] }, { "id": 1000, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n1000", "date": "2026-01-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "FSIS begins enforcing voluntary U.S.-origin meat-label claims", "summary": "Food Safety and Inspection Service personnel began enforcement of voluntary U.S.-origin claims on regulated products before the products could enter commerce. The enforcement applied to claims including “Product of USA” and “Made in the USA.”", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Food Safety and Inspection Service" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "food-safety-and-inspection-service" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page states that effective January 1, 2026, FSIS inspection personnel will enforce compliance for FSIS-regulated products bearing voluntary “Product of USA,” “Made in the USA,” and other U.S.-origin claims before they enter commerce. The summary accurately reflects this.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA%20Beef%20Industry%20Plan%20White%20Paper.pdf", "outlet": "USDA", "published": "2025-10-22", "quote": "Effective January 1, 2026, FSIS inspection personnel will begin enforcing compliance on FSIS-regulated products that bear voluntary “Product of USA,” “Made in the USA,” and other U.S.-origin claims before they may enter commerce." } ] }, { "id": 982, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n982", "date": "2026-01-30", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The US cattle herd falls to 86.2 million head, the smallest since 1951", "summary": "The NASS Cattle report put all cattle and calves at 86.2 million head on January 1, 2026, down 0.3 percent from a year earlier and the smallest US inventory in 75 years. Beef cows were down 1 percent at 27.6 million and the calf crop fell 2 percent, meaning the supply of animals that would reach slaughter weight in 2027 had already been set.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "National Agricultural Statistics Service", "U.S. Department of Agriculture" ], "parties": [ "national-agricultural-statistics-service", "us-department-of-agriculture" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494353+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2026/01-30-2026.php", "outlet": "USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service", "published": "2026-01-30", "quote": "There were 86.2 million head of cattle and calves on U.S. farms as of Jan. 1, 2026, according to the Cattle report published today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Other key findings in the report were: Of the 86.2 million head inventory, all cows and heifers that have calved totaled 37.2 million." }, { "url": "https://www.fb.org/market-intel/smaller-cattle-herd-creates-market-volatility", "outlet": "American Farm Bureau Federation", "published": "2026-02-02", "quote": "The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report shows the cattle inventory on Jan. 1, 2026, is 86.2 million head, down 300,000 head or 0.3% from 2025." } ] }, { "id": 983, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n983", "date": "2026-02-06", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Proclamation 11010 opens an extra 80,000 tonnes of tariff-free Argentine lean beef", "summary": "Trump signed a proclamation temporarily raising the beef tariff-rate quota, letting an additional 80,000 metric tons of Argentine lean beef trimmings in duty-free during 2026 in four quarterly tranches of 20,000 tonnes. Lean trimmings are blended with fattier domestic trimmings to make ground beef, so the action targeted the single most politically visible price in the grocery store.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "Donald Trump", "Argentina", "Office of the United States Trade Representative" ], "parties": [ "donald-trump", "argentina", "office-of-the-united-states-trade-representative" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494392+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2026/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-ensures-affordable-beef-for-the-american-consumer/", "outlet": "The White House", "published": "2026-02-06", "quote": "The Proclamation permits an additional 80,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings per year from Argentina to be imported tariff-free in four quarterly tranches of 20,000 metric tons each." }, { "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/02/ensuring-affordable-beef-for-the-american-consumer/", "outlet": "The White House", "published": "2026-02-06", "quote": "After considering the information provided to me by the Secretary of Agriculture, among other relevant information, I am taking action to temporarily increase the quantity of in-quota imports of lean beef trimmings under the United States beef TRQ to increase the supply of ground beef for United States consumers. 10." } ] }, { "id": 984, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n984", "date": "2026-03-31", "date_precision": "day", "title": "USDA and Interior sign a grazing memorandum to open public rangeland", "summary": "The two departments agreed to expand grazing access and cut permitting delays on federal land, one of the supply-side answers to a herd that cannot grow without feed and forage. USDA later listed the memorandum among the actions it counted as its record for ranchers.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Department of the Interior" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "department-of-the-interior" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494433+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.wbiw.com/2026/08/31/new-actions-build-on-usdas-2026-plan-to-fortify-the-american-beef-industry/", "outlet": "WBIW (USDA release)", "published": "2026-08-31", "quote": "March 2026: USDA and the Department of the Interior signed a Memorandum of Understanding to expand grazing access and cut permitting delays on public lands." } ] }, { "id": 985, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n985", "date": "2026-04-14", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Live cattle futures break $250 and Northern cash trades hit $250 for the first time", "summary": "Record cash trade in the North pushed the April live cattle contract through the $250 mark, above the previous October's highs, with feeder cattle making new contract highs. The 75-year low in inventory and the closed Mexican border were tightening supply into grilling season even as Washington was trying to talk prices down.", "type": "financial", "entities": [ "CME Group" ], "parties": [ "cme-group" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494477+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.drovers.com/news/breaking-250-barrier-cattle-markets-charge-new-all-time-highs", "outlet": "Drovers", "published": "2026-04-15", "quote": "Brad Kooima, of Kooima Kooima Varilek, says although it was on light volume, the North led the cash trade with live sales hitting an eye-popping $250 for the first time ever." } ] }, { "id": 986, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n986", "date": "2026-05-04", "date_precision": "day", "title": "DOJ confirms a criminal antitrust investigation of the Big Four beef packers", "summary": "At a press conference with Agriculture Secretary Rollins and trade adviser Peter Navarro, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department had prioritised potential antitrust violations in cattle and beef markets, noting that four processors control more than 85 percent of the business and that two are primarily foreign-owned. Prosecutors said they had reviewed more than three million documents and encouraged whistleblowers to come forward.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Todd Blanche", "U.S. Department of Justice", "JBS", "Cargill", "Tyson Foods", "National Beef Packing" ], "parties": [ "todd-blanche", "us-department-of-justice", "jbs", "cargill", "tyson-foods", "national-beef-packing" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494514+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.drovers.com/news/ag-policy/doj-usda-ramp-antitrust-investigation-big-4-beef-packers", "outlet": "Drovers", "published": "2026-05-08", "quote": "\"We prioritized investigating potential antitrust violations in U.S. cattle and beef markets,\" Blanche says. \"In the beef industry, the Big Four processors control over 85% of the beef processing market." }, { "url": "https://www.justice.gov/opa/video/acting-attorney-blanche-announces-antitrust-investigations-meatpacking-operations", "outlet": "U.S. Department of Justice", "published": "2026-05-04", "quote": "Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, and Director of Trade and Manufacturing Peter Navarro held a press conference on antitrust investigations and meatpacking operations." } ] }, { "id": 987, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n987", "date": "2026-06-30", "date_precision": "day", "title": "USDA puts $500 million into small and regional beef processors", "summary": "The Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers programme offered up to $500 million to independent and regional beef slaughter facilities, alongside a Small Processors Action Plan and a fourth $60 million round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The theory was that more places to sell cattle would weaken the Big Four's hold on the market.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Brooke Rollins" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "brooke-rollins" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494551+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.rfdtv.com/usda-secretary-rollins-announces-ranchers-first-initiatives-to-rebuild-the-great-american-beef-herd", "outlet": "RFD-TV (USDA release)", "published": "2026-08-31", "quote": "June 2026: Secretary Rollins announced the Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Program, providing up to $500 million to independent and regional beef slaughter facilities." } ] }, { "id": 1004, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n1004", "date": "2026-07-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "U.S. beef-cow inventory is 28.5 million head", "summary": "The United States had 28.5 million beef cows as of July 1, 2026. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that the figure was 1 percent below the prior year.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "National Agricultural Statistics Service" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "national-agricultural-statistics-service" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page states that there were 28.5 million U.S. beef cows as of July 1, 2026, down 1% from the prior year. The quoted sentence appears verbatim aside from standard punctuation formatting.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://data.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2026/07-24-2026.php", "outlet": "USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service", "published": "2026-07-24", "quote": "There are 28.5 million beef cows in the United States as of July 1, 2026, down 1% from last year." } ] }, { "id": 988, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n988", "date": "2026-07-14", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Associate Attorney General Woodward writes to eight grocery chains about beef prices", "summary": "Identical letters dated July 14 went to Kroger, Walmart, Publix, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize USA, Costco and Amazon, telling each that the Antitrust Division was assessing trends in beef prices. Investigators asked for retail and wholesale prices, costs and margins, pricing strategy and market analyses going back to 2020.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "Stanley Woodward", "U.S. Department of Justice", "Kroger", "Walmart", "Costco", "Amazon" ], "parties": [ "stanley-woodward", "us-department-of-justice", "kroger", "walmart", "costco", "amazon-web-services" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494592+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/doj-expands-beef-price-investigation-walmart-costco-amazon-other-major-retailers", "outlet": "Fox Business", "published": "2026-09-02", "quote": "\"The Antitrust Division is assessing trends in beef prices - a matter of critical concern to the American public, and a priority for the United States Department of Justice,\" Woodward wrote in identical letters dated July 14 and addressed separately to each company." }, { "url": "https://www.newsweek.com/doj-probes-soaring-beef-prices-at-eight-major-stores-including-walmart-12393757", "outlet": "Newsweek", "published": "2026-09-02", "quote": "We will be seeking data and information that we anticipate to be in your company's records relating to your company's retail sales and prices, wholesale purchases and prices, costs and margins for beef products, pricing and purchasing strategy, your company's analyses of market trends in the wholesale or retail price of beef, and information about factors influencing beef prices.\"" } ] }, { "id": 989, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n989", "date": "2026-07-24", "date_precision": "day", "title": "USDA says the Douglas port will reopen to Mexican cattle in phases from August 24", "summary": "After more than a year of closure, Rollins said it was safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona port in 30 days and resume cattle movement, with a phased schedule and a jointly agreed import protocol. Douglas would be the only crossing open, a fraction of the pre-closure trade.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "Brooke Rollins", "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Mexico" ], "parties": [ "brooke-rollins", "us-department-of-agriculture", "mexico" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494845+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.texastribune.org/2026/07/24/united-states-mexico-cattle-industry-imports-resumption-screwworm/", "outlet": "The Texas Tribune", "published": "2026-07-24", "quote": "\"Thanks to the work of the federal government as well as state, local, and industry partners, it is now safe to reopen the Douglas, Arizona, port in 30 days to resume the hundreds year old movement of cattle.\"" }, { "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/07/27/u-s-to-reopen-border-to-mexican-cattle-imports-after-screwworm-ban/", "outlet": "Fortune (Associated Press)", "published": "2026-07-27", "quote": "The United States announced Friday it will begin reopening the border to Mexican cattle imports on Aug. 24, more than a year after it imposed the measure due to the spread of the New World screwworm in Mexico." } ] }, { "id": 990, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n990", "date": "2026-08-21", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Trump announces 300,000 tonnes of tariff-free ground beef imports; NCBA calls it a mistake", "summary": "In a Truth Social post Trump said he had concluded a deal under which the United States would let up to 300,000 metric tons of ground-beef product in with no out-of-quota tariff for 90 days, with a commitment that it be sold 25 percent below market prices. Cattle markets fell that morning, and NCBA chief executive Colin Woodall said flooding the market with government-subsidised below-market beef was not the way to rebuild the American herd.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "Donald Trump", "National Cattlemen's Beef Association", "Colin Woodall" ], "parties": [ "donald-trump", "national-cattlemens-beef-association", "colin-woodall" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494888+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.beefmagazine.com/market-news/cattle-group-reacts-to-trump-s-beef-import-post", "outlet": "BEEF Magazine", "published": "2026-08-21", "quote": "\"Today, I concluded a deal to substantially lower the price of ground beef for working American families,\" Trump posted." } ] }, { "id": 991, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n991", "date": "2026-08-24", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The first cattle in more than a year cross at Douglas, Arizona", "summary": "Nearly 700 animals came through the border wall at Douglas on the Monday the port reopened, the first cattle to cross in more than a year. APHIS chief veterinary officer Alan Huddleston said the inspection included screwworm-sniffing dogs and called the reopening a proof of concept that, if it holds, would lead to more ports opening along the border.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Mexico" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "mexico" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494928+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.kjzz.org/fronteras-desk/2026-08-25/u-s-mexico-border-reopens-to-cattle-as-new-world-screwworm-ban-lifts", "outlet": "KJZZ", "published": "2026-08-25", "quote": "The cattle that came through the border wall Monday went through a rigorous inspection procedure, said Alan Huddleston, the chief veterinary officer at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, or APHIS. The added layers of protection included inspections by specially trained screwworm-sniffing dogs, Huddleston said." }, { "url": "https://www.fox34.com/2026/08/25/border-reopens-mexican-cattle-imports-us-works-contain-screwworm/", "outlet": "KCBD", "published": "2026-08-25", "quote": "LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - The U.S. reopened the border crossing in Arizona to cattle imports from Mexico on Monday, as part of a phased plan to control the spread of the New World screwworm." } ] }, { "id": 1005, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n1005", "date": "2026-08-25", "date_precision": "day", "title": "ERS forecasts a 9.8 percent rise in 2026 beef and veal prices", "summary": "The Economic Research Service forecast that beef and veal prices would increase 9.8 percent in 2026. Its forecast interval ranged from 7.0 percent to 12.6 percent.", "type": "report", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Economic Research Service" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "economic-research-service" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page is updated 2026-08-25 and explicitly states that beef and veal prices are forecast to increase 9.8 percent in 2026, with a forecast interval of 7.0 to 12.6 percent.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings?ncid=txtlnkusaolp00000618", "outlet": "USDA Economic Research Service", "published": "2026-08-25", "quote": "Beef and veal prices are forecast to increase 9.8 percent in 2026, with a forecast interval of 7.0 to 12.6 percent." } ] }, { "id": 992, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n992", "date": "2026-08-26", "date_precision": "day", "title": "A second proclamation adds 300,000 tonnes, allocated to countries other than Argentina", "summary": "The August proclamation raised the aggregate in-quota quantity by 300,000 metric tons for 2026, administered first come, first served in three 100,000-tonne tranches opening September 1, October 1 and October 31. The volume was allocated entirely to \"other countries or areas,\" leaving the February Argentine allocation untouched, and the Agriculture Secretary and USTR were told to check whether the imports were in fact selling 25 percent below the market price.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "Donald Trump", "Office of the United States Trade Representative", "U.S. Department of Agriculture" ], "parties": [ "donald-trump", "office-of-the-united-states-trade-representative", "us-department-of-agriculture" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.494967+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/08/further-ensuring-affordable-beef-for-the-american-consumer/", "outlet": "The White House", "published": "2026-08-26", "quote": "(3) The additional 300,000 mt described in clauses (1) and (2) of this proclamation will be administered on a first come, first served basis in three 30 day tranches." }, { "url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17842/further-ensuring-affordable-beef-for-the-american-consumer", "outlet": "Federal Register", "published": "2026-08-31", "quote": "(2) The additional 300,000 mt described in clause (1) of this proclamation will apply only to lean beef trimmings classifiable under HTSUS statistical reporting numbers 0201.30.5091, 0201.30.5097, 0202.30.5091, and 0202.30.5097." } ] }, { "id": 993, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n993", "date": "2026-08-31", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Rollins announces the Ranchers First Initiative to rebuild the herd", "summary": "USDA packaged a set of actions aimed at getting ranchers to hold back heifers rather than sell them, including a Beef Retention and National Development endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection, a SPUR guaranteed loan programme for regional processing, and a Regional Processor Continuity Effort. The release noted that with recent closure announcements, nearly 20 percent of beef processing capacity would be available as the herd grows.", "type": "announcement", "entities": [ "Brooke Rollins", "U.S. Department of Agriculture" ], "parties": [ "brooke-rollins", "us-department-of-agriculture" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.495013+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.rfdtv.com/usda-secretary-rollins-announces-ranchers-first-initiatives-to-rebuild-the-great-american-beef-herd", "outlet": "RFD-TV (USDA release)", "published": "2026-08-31", "quote": "USDA is going to secure tomorrow's herd through the new Beef Retention and National Development (BRAND) endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection (LRP)." }, { "url": "https://www.wbiw.com/2026/08/31/new-actions-build-on-usdas-2026-plan-to-fortify-the-american-beef-industry/", "outlet": "WBIW (USDA release)", "published": "2026-08-31", "quote": "With recent processing closure announcements, nearly 20% of beef processing capacity will be available as the herd grows." } ] }, { "id": 994, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n994", "date": "2026-09-01", "date_precision": "day", "title": "The Justice Department expands the beef investigation to eight retailers", "summary": "The Antitrust Division said on X that it had widened its beef affordability investigation to eight major grocery chains, naming the recipients of Woodward's letters. The move pushed the inquiry down the supply chain from the packers to the shelf, though economists kept pointing at the record-low cattle inventory as the explanation.", "type": "legal", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Justice", "Stanley Woodward" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-justice", "stanley-woodward" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.495053+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.thecattlesite.com/news/doj-expands-beef-pricing-probe-to-major-retailers", "outlet": "The Cattle Site (Global Ag Media)", "published": "2026-09-03", "quote": "The US Department of Justice said in a post on social media platform X on Tuesday that its antitrust division has expanded an investigation on beef affordability to add eight major retailers, including Walmart and Costco, reported Reuters." }, { "url": "https://www.foxbusiness.com/retail/doj-expands-beef-price-investigation-walmart-costco-amazon-other-major-retailers", "outlet": "Fox Business", "published": "2026-09-02", "quote": "The letters obtained by FOX Business provide details about the scope of the investigation, showing that federal antitrust officials are examining retailers' beef pricing strategies, profit margins, costs and purchasing arrangements dating back to 2020." } ] }, { "id": 1006, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n1006", "date": "2026-09-04", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Executive Order 14424 tells USDA to expand Packers and Stockyards investigations", "summary": "Executive Order 14424 directed the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize and expand investigations of possible Packers and Stockyards Act violations. The order called for attention to practices that restrain commerce or manipulate prices.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "White House", "Donald Trump", "U.S. Department of Agriculture" ], "parties": [ "us-government", "donald-trump", "us-department-of-agriculture" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page identifies the action as Executive Order 14424, dated September 4, 2026. Section 2 directs the Secretary of Agriculture to prioritize and expand Packers and Stockyards Act investigations, specifically including practices that restrain commerce or manipulate prices.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/promoting-fair-competition-in-livestock-markets-and-expanding-market-access-for-american-meat-producers/", "outlet": "White House", "published": "2026-09-04", "quote": "The Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) shall, consistent with the Act, and all other applicable law: prioritize and expand investigations into potential violations of the Act by packers and other covered entities, with particular attention to unfair, unjustly discriminatory, or deceptive practices; undue or unreasonable preferences or advantages; and practices that restrain commerce or manipulate prices." } ] }, { "id": 1007, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n1007", "date": "2026-09-04", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Executive Order 14425 orders a review of mandatory beef country-of-origin labeling", "summary": "Executive Order 14425 directed the Secretary of Agriculture to review authorities that may allow mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef products. The Secretary was directed to consult the United States Trade Representative within 90 days.", "type": "regulatory", "entities": [ "White House", "Donald Trump", "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Office of the United States Trade Representative" ], "parties": [ "us-government", "donald-trump", "us-department-of-agriculture", "office-of-the-united-states-trade-representative" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.062665+00:00", "note": "The page identifies the action as Executive Order 14425, dated September 4, 2026. Section 4 contains the quoted language directing the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the U.S. Trade Representative, to review authorities for mandatory beef country-of-origin labeling within 90 days.", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/supporting-americas-ranchers/", "outlet": "White House", "published": "2026-09-04", "quote": "Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, shall review all statutory and regulatory authorities that may permit the establishment of mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef products." } ] }, { "id": 995, "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-beef-prices#n995", "date": "2026-09-09", "date_precision": "day", "title": "Douglas reopens again after a weeklong pause over inoperable cattle chutes", "summary": "The only cattle crossing on the US-Mexico border went back into service on Tuesday after USDA paused it in late August, having been told that the chutes on the Mexican side had become inoperable following welding modifications. The stoppage showed how thin the reopened channel still was.", "type": "other", "entities": [ "U.S. Department of Agriculture", "Mexico" ], "parties": [ "us-department-of-agriculture", "mexico" ], "published_at": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.495093+00:00", "note": "", "image": "", "image_credit": { "credit": "", "source_url": "", "image_url": "", "terms_url": "", "mode": "licensed" }, "sources": [ { "url": "https://www.kjzz.org/fronteras-desk/2026-09-09/douglas-cattle-border-crossing-reopens-after-weeklong-pause-for-technical-problem", "outlet": "KJZZ", "published": "2026-09-09", "quote": "The Douglas border crossing reopened to cattle Tuesday after a more than weeklong pause - making it the only point on the U.S.-Mexico border where live cattle imports can cross." }, { "url": "https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/stop-screwworm/current-status", "outlet": "USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service", "published": "2026-09-11", "quote": "On August 24, 2026, USDA reopened the Douglas, AZ port to cattle imports from Mexico, guided by overlapping safeguards and a science-based import protocol jointly agreed upon between the United States and Mexico." } ] } ], "relations": [ { "from": 999, "to": 1000, "kind": "follows", "note": "The October 2025 beef-industry plan specified that FSIS enforcement of voluntary U.S.-origin claims would begin effective January 1, 2026." } ], "links": [], "key_node_ids": [ 996, 998, 977, 982, 983, 985, 986, 989, 992, 993, 994, 1006 ], "catalysts": [ { "date": "2026-09-18", "title": "USDA NASS releases September Cattle on Feed report", "why": "It will update the supply pipeline of market-ready cattle and test whether tight supplies are easing.", "source_url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Reports_by_Release_Day/" }, { "date": "2026-09-30", "title": "First temporary lean-beef-trimmings quota tranche closes", "why": "Its fill rate will show how much immediate import relief reached the ground-beef market before the next tranche opens.", "source_url": "https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-17842.pdf?1787930108=" }, { "date": "2026-10-01", "title": "Second 100,000-metric-ton tariff-free beef quota tranche opens", "why": "The August proclamation schedules another first-come, first-served tranche of the additional 300,000-metric-ton quota, which could increase imported beef supply.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17842/further-ensuring-affordable-beef-for-the-american-consumer" }, { "date": "2026-10-09", "title": "USDA releases October WASDE report", "why": "The report will refresh USDA forecasts for U.S. meat supply and use, including beef.", "source_url": "https://usda.azureedge.us/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-economist/commodity-markets/wasde-report" }, { "date": "2026-10-14", "title": "BLS releases September Consumer Price Index", "why": "It will provide the next official monthly reading on consumer food inflation and beef’s contribution to it.", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/schedule/news_release/cpi.htm" }, { "date": "2026-10-23", "title": "USDA NASS releases October Cattle on Feed report", "why": "The placement and marketing data will indicate how quickly feedlots can replenish beef supplies.", "source_url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Reports_by_Release_Day/" }, { "date": "2026-10-30", "title": "Second temporary lean-beef-trimmings quota tranche closes", "why": "Whether it fills before the third tranche opens will indicate the near-term pull for imported grinding beef.", "source_url": "https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-17842.pdf?1787930108=" }, { "date": "2026-10-31", "title": "Third 100,000-metric-ton tariff-free beef quota tranche opens", "why": "The final scheduled tranche of the August quota expansion could further affect available imported beef supply and the policy debate over domestic cattle prices.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/31/2026-17842/further-ensuring-affordable-beef-for-the-american-consumer" }, { "date": "2026-11-10", "title": "USDA releases November WASDE report", "why": "It can revise the beef-production, consumption, and trade outlook as herd rebuilding and import measures develop.", "source_url": "https://usda.azureedge.us/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-economist/commodity-markets/wasde-report" }, { "date": "2026-11-10", "title": "BLS releases October Consumer Price Index", "why": "The release will show whether beef-price pressure persisted into autumn after the import-quota intervention began.", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/schedule/news_release/cpi.htm" }, { "date": "2026-11-20", "title": "USDA NASS releases November Cattle on Feed report", "why": "It will offer another read on available cattle supplies heading into 2027.", "source_url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Reports_by_Release_Day/" }, { "date": "2026-11-30", "title": "Third lean-beef-trimmings quota tranche reaches closing date", "why": "This is the last possible entry date for the 300,000-metric-ton quota expansion for other countries or areas.", "source_url": "https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-17842.pdf?1787930108=" }, { "date": "2026-12-03", "title": "USDA consultation with USTR on mandatory beef country-of-origin labeling is due", "why": "Executive Order 14425 gives the Agriculture Secretary 90 days from September 4 to consult USTR on authorities for mandatory beef country-of-origin labeling.", "source_url": "https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/supporting-americas-ranchers/" }, { "date": "2026-12-10", "title": "USDA releases December WASDE report", "why": "The year-end forecast will set the baseline for assessing whether expected 2027 beef output and imports can moderate prices.", "source_url": "https://usda.azureedge.us/about-usda/general-information/staff-offices/office-chief-economist/commodity-markets/wasde-report" }, { "date": "2026-12-10", "title": "BLS releases November Consumer Price Index", "why": "It will be the final scheduled CPI check of 2026 for the consumer-price portion of the beef story.", "source_url": "https://www.bls.gov/schedule/news_release/cpi.htm" }, { "date": "2026-12-18", "title": "USDA NASS releases December Cattle on Feed report", "why": "It will provide the final scheduled 2026 measure of feedlot inventory, placements, and marketings before the next January cattle-inventory cycle.", "source_url": "https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/Reports_by_Release_Day/" } ], "open_questions": [ "The Justice Department has confirmed investigations of packers and requested records from retailers, but it has not publicly identified alleged conduct, named targets beyond the sectors, or announced charges.", "It is not yet clear whether the tariff-free import volumes will reach consumers at prices 25 percent below market prices, as the August proclamation directs USDA and USTR to assess.", "The Douglas crossing has reopened only under a phased protocol and already had a weeklong technical pause; it remains unknown whether more Mexican ports will reopen or how much feeder-cattle trade will resume.", "The cattle inventory and calf crop show that near-term domestic supply is constrained, but it is unclear whether producer-retention programs, grazing access, and processing finance will lead ranchers to rebuild herds at scale.", "USDA has been ordered to review possible mandatory country-of-origin labeling, but the scope of any recommendation and its trade implications are not yet known." ], "metrics": [], "related": [ { "slug": "us-canada-trade-war", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-canada-trade-war", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-canada-trade-war.json" }, { "slug": "fed-rate-path-2025-2026", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/fed-rate-path-2025-2026", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/fed-rate-path-2025-2026.json" }, { "slug": "us-tariff-refund-litigation", "url": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-tariff-refund-litigation", "json": "https://whatledto.com/events/us-tariff-refund-litigation.json" } ], "changelog": [ { "date": "2026-09-12T03:23:58.484011+00:00", "kind": "summary", "summary": "Summary, key players and catalysts refreshed.", "node_ids": [] }, { "date": "2026-09-12T03:23:31.080585+00:00", "kind": "publish", "summary": "Added 9 node(s): 2023-01-01 U.S. cattle inventory falls to 89.3 million head; 2024-01-01 U.S. cattle inventory declines to 87.2 million head; 2025-01-01 U.S. cattle inventory reaches 86.7 million head; 2025-10-22 Federal departments announce Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and 5 more.", "node_ids": [ 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-12T03:21:44.673460+00:00", "kind": "research", "summary": "Research run found 12 candidate node(s).", "node_ids": [ 996, 997, 998, 999, 1000, 1001, 1002, 1003, 1004, 1005, 1006, 1007 ] }, { "date": "2026-09-12T03:15:49.502774+00:00", "kind": "seed", "summary": "Seeded 19 hand-verified node(s) from us-beef-prices.yaml.", "node_ids": [ 977, 978, 979, 980, 981, 982, 983, 984, 985, 986, 987, 988, 989, 990, 991, 992, 993, 994, 995 ] } ], "license": { "holder": "What Led To", "terms": "https://whatledto.com/methodology#reuse", "summary": "Quote entries with attribution and a link to the entry; do not republish whole timelines or train models on the text." } }