Trump's beef import plan: Minnesota cattlemen warn it could bankrupt ranchers

KIMBALL, Minn. (FOX 9) - President Trump wants to bring down the price of beef at the grocery store by importing hundreds of millions of pounds of foreign beef, but Minnesota cattle ranchers say the plan could do more harm than good.

The price of ground beef has climbed 70% since 2020, and everyday Americans are feeling it at the checkout line. Trump posted his plan Friday: importing 660 million pounds of beef from other countries without charging tariffs, to be sold at 25% below market value.

Minnesota ranchers respond to Trump's beef import plan

What we know:

FOX 9's Corin Hoggard spoke with Minnesota cattlemen about what the plan could mean for their livelihoods. U.S. ranchers are raising about 86 million head of cattle this year — the lowest number in 75 years. That tight supply drove prices up, which led Don Schiefelbein of Schiefelbein Farms in Kimball to invest in growing his operation by 50%.

"The market signal said, beef is high, let's expand in America. And so what we did is just responding to the economic signals," said Don Schiefelbein.

Now, Schiefelbein expects Trump's plan to suppress those prices, making his business unprofitable just as he begins selling off this year's herd.

"If you look at it from a cattleman standpoint, it's really hurtful," said Schiefelbein.

What they're saying:

Aaron Chervstad of Hayday Farms in Pennington County shares those concerns. He's not convinced consumers will actually see cheaper beef at the store, and he's worried about food safety.

"It will get mixed with our beef and sold as American beef and the consumer will have no idea where their food is coming from, which is a huge concern," said Aaron Chervstad.

Chervstad said better labeling standards could address the food safety issue, but they wouldn't fix the higher costs ranchers are already paying for feed and fuel — or give them the certainty they need to decide whether to grow or scale back their operations.

Schiefelbein put it bluntly: "This was — it's just a gut punch, if you will. From the president to a base that has supported him strongly, and I mean strongly over the last 10 to 12 years," said Schiefelbein.

The plan's impact on consumers and the future of farming

What we don't know:

The president's plan is not yet finalized, and Trump has not specified which countries would be sending the cheaper beef to the U.S. He is expected to sign an executive order by next week.