North Dakota Ranchers Say Market Meddling is Bad for Beef

(Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – Ranchers are pushing against a Trump administration proposal to import beef from Argentina, a move they say is causing chaos in the market.

Beef production had been a bright spot in a struggling U.S. farm economy. But futures prices have taken a hit since President Donald Trump said Sunday that the U.S. should buy beef to help support Argentina and lower prices for consumers.

Julie Ellingson, executive vice president of the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, said Trump’s stance had an immediate and dramatic impact on the livestock industry.

Ellingson called it “real time, real life consequences for livestock producers.”

Ellingson and the Stockmen’s Association say supply and demand should determine the market.