Nebraska beef producers raise concerns over Trump’s import announcement

Nebraska beef producers are voicing concerns about President Donald Trump's announcement of a temporary pause on beef tariffs. They say it creates more uncertainty for the industry during a critical time.

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‘A lot of angst’: Nebraska beef producers raise concerns over Trump’s import announcement

DODGE, Neb. —

Nebraska beef producers are voicing concerns about President Donald Trump’s announcement of a temporary pause on beef tariffs, saying it creates uncertainty for their industry during a critical time.

Trump announced on Truth Social a plan to eliminate additional tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of beef for 90 days.

Joan Ruskamp, who operates J&S Feedlot near Dodge, Nebraska, with her husband Steve, said: “We can control our conditions, our nutrition and the way we take care of our cattle. It’s those outside forces that are the hardest for us to navigate, especially a sudden release of news.”

She also noted that strong consumer demand has contributed to higher beef prices.

“We’ve had really great beef demand, which we appreciate. And so that means consumers are willing to pay for it because they recognize the value of it,” Ruskamp said.

The U.S. cattle herd is currently at a 75-year low, and supply needs to increase to meet demand.

Craig Uden, president of the Nebraska Cattlemen, said the announcement makes it harder for producers to commit to growing their herds.

“These guys got long-term investments that they’re looking to put out there,” Uden said. “It’s not a one-year or two-year. It’s a 10-year, 15-year commitment. And it takes a lot of dollars and a lot of work and a lot of effort to continue to increase this beef production.”

He added: “The constant drum out there, the beef prices are too high — creates a lot of angst in the country for our producers as I look forward to making decisions,” Uden said.

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer statement

Fischer told KETV: “I’m extremely disappointed by this decision from the White House. We all want lower grocery prices, but as I’ve said for months, we cannot do it at the expense of American producers. Flooding the market with foreign beef hurts our livestock industry and undermines the long-term solution: growing the U.S. cattle herd to meet demand.”

Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts statement

Ricketts said in a news release: “I appreciate the Administration’s work to lower grocery prices. Short term policy shifts do not equal long term solutions. Flooding the market with lower quality beef compromises Nebraska farmers and ranchers. They should be enabled to grow herd sizes and meet consumer demand.”

Nebraska’s 3rd District Congressman Adrian Smith statement

Smith said on X: “Despite record-low herd sizes, Nebraska’s ranchers continue to produce high-quality beef for consumers around the world. As President Trump works to lower costs for consumers, we must ensure those efforts do not undermine ranchers’ ability to rebuild their herds.”

Omaha Steaks statement

Nate Rempe, president and CEO at Omaha Steaks, told KETV: “Short-term imports can be part of the bridge, but the long-term solution is helping American ranchers retain heifers and rebuild the breeding herd. As a Nebraska company that has been in the beef business for more than a century, Omaha Steaks believes we need to support both American families and the ranchers who make our industry possible.”

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