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Trump's Beef Import Policy Angers Farmers Ahead of Midterms

10:21 PM ETConfirmed

Politics Desk

In Short: President Trump's decision to increase foreign beef imports has angered farmers and ranchers, a key GOP voting bloc, ahead of the midterms.

Birker, a cattle rancher in Eastern Iowa, told NPR that the move has hurt his business.

"The beef herd size is at an all-time low – a 75-year-low," said Raff, highlighting the impact of the policy.

"We just got done weaning," Birker said, explaining why his herd size is down.

"We need to focus on affordability, but I think this isn't the way to do that," said a Republican official, criticizing the policy.

"And I'm going to say, 'Well, these prices for my cattle right now are at record highs and projected to be high. So I'm just going to send my heifers to be processed,'" Birker said, indicating that he will not replace his beef herd.

White House officials are exploring whether to cut back on the beef import policy to address the anger among farmers and ranchers.

"They're a little grumpy with me right now," Trump acknowledged.

The rising fuel prices, partly due to the war, have also emerged as a key election topic, with Americans reportedly spending about USD 700 million more on a daily basis on gas and diesel than they did a year ago.

Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn of Iowa, both facing tight re-election races, have supported efforts to rein in the president’s war powers.

"We urge you to support an immediate end to the war and to stop blocking or restricting Department of Energy programs that would help American families lower their energy bills," lawmakers wrote.

"Not every Republican running in this year's midterms is toeing the MAGA Party line," NPR reported, highlighting the growing distance between some Republicans and Trump.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• Birker, a cattle rancher in Eastern Iowa, told NPR that the move has hurt his business.
• "The beef herd size is at an all-time low – a 75-year-low," said Raff, highlighting the impact of the policy.
• "We just got done weaning," Birker said, explaining why his herd size is down.
• "We need to focus on affordability, but I think this isn't the way to do that," said a Republican official, criticizing the policy.
• "And I'm going to say, 'Well, these prices for my cattle right now are at record highs and projected to be high. So I'm just going to send my heifers to be processed,'" Birker said, indicating that he will not replace his beef herd.
• White House officials are exploring whether to cut back on the beef import policy to address the anger among farmers and ranchers.
• "They're a little grumpy with me right now," Trump acknowledged.
• The rising fuel prices, partly due to the war, have also emerged as a key election topic, with Americans reportedly spending about USD 700 million more on a daily basis on gas and diesel than they did a year ago.
• Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Zach Nunn of Iowa, both facing tight re-election races, have supported efforts to rein in the president’s war powers.
• "We urge you to support an immediate end to the war and to stop blocking or restricting Department of Energy programs that would help American families lower their energy bills," lawmakers wrote.
• "Not every Republican running in this year's midterms is toeing the MAGA Party line," NPR reported, highlighting the growing distance between some Republicans and Trump.

What's still developing

• All of which is to say that since August, when Trump announced that his administration would raise the quota on beef imported under lower tariffs – temporarily suspending tariffs on up to 300,000 metric tons of imported beef – Birker knows it when he says: that hurt people.
• His operation has about 150 "mama cows" and sells feeder calves, as well as some cattle for meat.
• In February, Trump signed an executive order to subject some Argentinian beef to fewer tariffs.
• Trump’s decisions to import more foreign beef, his tariff regime and high fuel costs amid the Iran war have riled already strained farmers and ranchers — a key GOP voting bloc.
• Trump said that farmers would see "good things" WAUSAU, Wis. - Republican candidate for Wisconsin governor Tom Tiffany suffered minor injuries after the small plane he was traveling in made an emergency water landing in Lake Wausau on Saturday night, Sept. 12.
• "I wish them and the Congressman a quick recovery and that they can find solace with their loved ones."
• "The Milwaukee Police Association is grateful that Congressman Tom Tiffany and the pilot are safe following last night’s frightening emergency landing in Lake Wausau. We commend the pilot for his extraordinary skill and quick decision-making in an incredibly dangerous situation actions that very likely saved the Congressman’s life. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Wausau Fire Department, law enforcement, EMS personnel, and all first responders whose rapid response helped bring Congressman Tom Tiffany and the pilot safely off the water. This incident is another reminder of the courage, training, and professionalism displayed by those who act when lives are on the line."
• Discover your zodiac sign’s guidance for the day and the key areas to approach with patience and care. ​ Horoscope Today, October 19, 2026: Navratri Day 9 Horoscope for All 12 Zodiac Signs, With Predictions for Career, Money, Love and Family ​ Business of Odd Things: Inside an industry that farms fish that nobody is meant to eat War's second-order effects are becoming visible in critical sectors US mid-term elections – Part 2: What does it mean for Trump to lose control of Congress?
• While this approach is not disappearing, artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly central to agricultural decision-making.
• “I think technology has a very important role to play in a country like India, which is data-scarce,” Alok Talekar, lead for agriculture and sustainability research at Google DeepMind and the leader of its AnthroKrishi team, told indianexpress.com in an interview.
• “When you flood rice fields, that leads to the overexploitation of water resources. It can contribute to long-term desertification and also have a negative impact on the environment,” he said.
• “I think what we are building is not opposed to traditional practices in any way. Our main role here is to provide information. We are not trying to influence actions one way or the other; we want to support effective decision-making. Whatever decisions people want to make should be data-driven. We want to push in that direction because that is, in a sense, the most efficient way for governance to work,” Talekar said when asked whether traditional farming methods and new agricultural AI models can coexist.

Sources

• Politicolink
• Fox6Nowlink
• Economictimeslink
• The Indian Expresslink
• Internationalfinancelink
• NPRlink
• MS NOWlink
• Politicolink
• WarpBeat — background on Georgia Sets Early Voting Record as Midterms Approach link
• WarpBeat — background on Battleground Republicans Distance Themselves From Trump Ahead of Midterms link
• The Transfarmation Project — video link