Photo: Rusty Halvorson/KFGO News
Today, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association President Randy Schmitt, a Rugby, N.D., cow-calf producer, issued the following statement after President Donald Trump’s social media post about the beef industry:
“The North Dakota Stockmen’s Association maintains its position that the president’s plan to increase the volume of Argentine beef exports in an effort to drive down domestic retail prices is a faulty one that will have little to no impact on U.S. consumers, but do considerable damage to our markets during this peak cattle marketing period and beyond. Our organization has stood steadfast against policies that attempt to artificially manipulate the market. Supply and demand, not the government, should be what sets the market.
“Cattle markets, of course, are complex, but the strength in the markets we have seen certainly has stemmed from one of the lowest cattle inventories in modern history and off-the-chart consumer demand for our beef.
“That’s thanks to the dedication, hard work and innovation of cattle-ranching families here in North Dakota and around this great nation, who are committed to producing the safest, highest quality beef in the world. Consumers recognize its value.
“We implore President Trump to back away from his plan, as it risks damaging the livelihoods of American ranchers and would exacerbate the incredible trade imbalance that already exists between our countries.”
NDSA Member Update: Oct. 22, 2025
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