Trump defends ranchers against meat cartels JBS and Cargill – will Australia?

President Trump’s executive order is reproduced in full (below) giving US cattle producers the best leg-up in US agricultural history. He has established a robust strike force team dedicated to combatting instances of agricultural lawfare on the federal, state, and local levels

Could Australia expect a similar initiative here? Not from the duopoly government that’s for sure.

By AR Williams, Canberra correspondent

On September 4, President Trump signed two executive orders to defend America’s ranchers and break the chokehold on the nation’s beef supply.

The first — Supporting America’s Ranchers — directs Interior to evaluate delisting gray and Mexican wolves under the Endangered Species Act, updates predator compensation standards, and initiates a review of beef labeling to ensure consumers know where their beef was raised.

The second — Promoting Fair Competition in Livestock Markets — targets the alarming consolidation in beef processing: the four largest packers now control approximately 85% of all steer and heifer purchases, up from just 36% four decades ago. The order mandates aggressive Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement, expands interstate market access for small and regional processors, and creates a new loan program for independent processing facilities.

Trump is targeting JBS and Cargill among others for their anti-competition business model and for being part of the worldwide food cartel manipulating agricultural commodity prices.

In Australia meat packer JBS has dominated the cattle market for 19 years effectively controlling all livestock prices across Australia against which the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is supposed to protect producers and consumers from the predatory behaviour of the giant Brazilian meat company.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Service Charter has never protected producers and ensured fair markets by enforcing the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Australian Consumer Law.

Cattle producers and producer bodies who support this ACCC misrepresentation deserve all they get. At the best, JBS offers on a good market, saleyard price of on average $3.50 to perhaps $4 a kilo for on-the-hoof prime cattle. Take it or leave it.

Many consumers ask why then is rump steak costing $30 a kilo or fillet steak up to $48 a kilo or more at the grocery cartel, Woolies and Coles? Beef has now become a luxury for most Australian families who are forced to buy chicken or pork while the bulk of our quality beef is exported, by JBS of course.

While $3.50 to $4 a kilo for prime cattle is much better than the $1.60 a kilo JBS forced producers to endure for many years, the cost of production has caught up to farmers.

The ACCC is a marksman for the political junta and the big end of town which concentrates on removing smaller competition across all industries. The finance industry is a prime example.

With diesel costing $2.70 a litre or more in regional areas, labour costs have been forced through the roof by the socialist Labor government forcing producers to pay superannuation weekly, all taxes weekly or monthly and up front, then veterinary supplies and feed supplements have increased in cost by at least 30 to 50 per cent in the past three years and new motor vehicles and machinery have been taxed to death and are beyond the reach of most family farmers.

All aided and abetted by so-called primary producer organisations supposedly protecting farmers interests and making representations to governments.

Cattle Australia and Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) supported the inoculation of the cattle herd with deadly mRNA gene-altering vaccines in the event of a disease outbreak, while the same vaccine killed millions of people worldwide with up to 250,000 dead in Australia according to independent researchers.

https://cairnsnews.org/2025/08/10/food-on-your-plate-could-be-the-next-silent-killer-ingesting-mrna-is-a-genetic-roulette-wheel/

Cattle Australia, MLA. the NFF and a multitude of other primary industry bodies have always been training grounds for aspiring, future National Party politicians but the tide is turning on these bodies now with a new player in the bush.

This new player, a cattle producer, has been well-briefed over decades about the marketing cartel in Australia, the primary producer bodies which protect them and the cartel’s political champions the Liberal National Party.

The Queensland National Party would cease to exist if an election were held this week and the Liberals are just behind them. Labor would not fare much better according to Redbridge polling, the most accurate in the nation. The One Nation juggernaut has arrived.

The bush has had enough.

Donald Trump’s entire executive order: This order would be transformational in Australia

SUPPORTING AMERICA’S RANCHERS

Combat Predation: American ranchers should be able to protect the cattle they raise.

• The Executive Order directs the Secretary of the Interior to determine whether gray wolves or Mexican wolves meet the criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and begin the process of delisting or downlisting them.
• The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture are also directed to update their standards for compensating ranchers for losses due to predators, and to ease authorization for lethal removal when necessary.

Country of Origin Labeling: American consumers deserve clear, honest labels — and country of origin labeling delivers that transparency.

• Building on the voluntary Product of USA label, the Executive Order directs the Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative, to review its authorities related to mandatory country of origin labeling for beef products through new regulations and legislative recommendations.

PROMOTING FAIR COMPETITION IN LIVESTOCK MARKETS AND EXPANDING MARKET ACCESS FOR AMERICAN MEAT PRODUCERS

Strengthening Packer Competition: American ranchers deserve fair, competitive markets that reward their hard work, not a marketplace dominated by a handful of concentrated packers.

• The Executive Order directs USDA to prioritize investigations into potential violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act and increase enforcement resources and staffing.
• The Executive Order also directs USDA to continue close coordination with the Department of Justice and report to the President on current enforcement actions, resource needs, and a plan to strengthen enforcement over the next year.

Expanding Processing and Market Access: Small and regional processors are critical to expanding competition and giving ranchers more options to get their cattle to market without compromising food safety.

• The Executive Order directs USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to expand the Cooperative Interstate Shipment and Talmadge-Aiken programs so more state-inspected meat can cross state lines.
• The Executive Order further directs USDA to build a “one-stop shop” and dedicated technical assistance program for small and very small processors and modernize meat inspection regulations to cut unnecessary red tape.

Additional Ranchers First Initiative Announcements:

• Increasing Grazing Lands Enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP): USDA will enroll nearly 1 million new acres in Grasslands CRP, providing ranchers with rental payments and cost share assistance to maintain rangeland and pastureland as grazing areas.
• Growing AMS Remote Grading Program: USDA will work to nearly double the number of producers and plants in the AMS Remote Grading Program. This program matches simple technology (e.g., smartphones and a customized, easy to use app), with a data management and oversight program to enable USDA to assign grades to beef carcasses from an offsite location. Through this program, AMS is adopting emerging technology to modernize USDA beef grading services and improve efficiency, consistency, and accuracy for a more competitive and transparent marketplace.
• Expanding AMS Instrument-Enhanced Grading Program: USDA will increase adoption of the Instrument-Enhanced Grading (IEG) Program, now used on approximately 20% of fed cattle (20,000 head/day) slaughtered in the U.S. Under IEG, facilities can reduce grader staffing, sometimes by as much as half, resulting in significant cost savings.
• Leveraging USDA Lawfare Apparatus: USDA will refocus its robust strike force team dedicated to combatting instances of agricultural lawfare on the federal, state, and local levels, to address and counter abusive legal actions that threaten ranching operations, particularly cases involving unfair or excessive eminent domain claims.

Previous Ranchers First Initiative Announcements:

• Rebuild the Great American Beef Herd: Developing new tools to support heifer retention, including the creation of the Beef Retention and National Development (BRAND) endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection.
• Risk Management Tools: Speeding up recovery after wildfires and other natural disasters by allowing producers to use the Emergency Conservation Program on acres enrolled in the Grassland Conservation Reserve Program.
• SPUR 2.0 Guaranteed Loan Program: Creating a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers (SPUR) Guaranteed Loan Program to support regional processing, including establishing processor co-ops, expanding small business footprints, and increasing the variety of animal proteins being processed.
• Buying American Beef: Prioritizing local American beef in federal spending in state and federal facilities by working with other departments including the U.S. Department of War, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
• Focusing on the Future of American Ranching: Establishing a new initiative focused on supporting beginning and veteran farmers and ranchers.

2025 USDA Beef Plan:

1. Grazing Access: Signed a USDA/DOI grazing MOU to improve coordination, expand producer access, streamline management, and prevent loss of Animal Unit Months (AUM).
2. Vacant Allotments: Announced that the Forest Service is working to clarify and streamline regulatory authorities to get more animals on the landscape.
3. Eliminating Delays – Streamlining Permitting and Authorizations: Announced changes to streamline permitting and better align U.S. Forest Service processes with BLM, making it easier to get more animals on the landscape.
4. Elevating Rural Americans – Giving Ranchers a Voice: Prioritized gathering feedback directly from ranchers through numerous listening sessions, roundtables and meetings.
5. Maximizing Flexibilities/Keeping Working Lands Working: Provided $700 million for a Regenerative Pilot Program, which seeks to enhance long-term agricultural sustainability, including rotational grazing and integrating livestock.
6. Predator Management and ESA Reform: Implemented improvements to APHIS Wildlife Services predator management operations.
7. Quicker Drought Grazing Loss Assistance: Lowered the threshold for producers to qualify for Livestock Forage Program payments, providing quicker access to disaster relief.
8. Enhanced Payment Rate for Predation Losses: Increased payment rate for livestock losses due to predation from animals listed as endangered or protected increased to 100% of market value 
9. Unborn Livestock Protection: Increased payment rates for unborn livestock death losses to 85% of the lowest non-adult weight class, as applicable, of the same livestock breed.
10. Broader Risk Management Access: Extended the “Beginning Farmer” definition from 5 to 10 years and increased premium subsidies—supporting more affordable insurance for ranchers.
11. Product of USA Label: Launched a public awareness campaign to inform producers and consumers about what this new label means for the food supply.
12. Promote Fair and Transparent Markets: Launched the National Feeder and Stocker Cattle Dashboard and publishes over 300 weekly reports through Livestock Mandatory Reporting.
13. Expanding Remote Grading: Expanded AMS Remote Grading Pilot Program to include for improved access to official grading.
14. Reducing Fees for Small Processors: Provided $20 million in funding for overtime and holiday inspection fee reduction for small and very small processors. 
15. Enhancing Local Processing: Provided $60 million in funding for a fourth round of the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP).
16. Enhancing Access to Data: Launched the AI Feeder Cattle project using new technologies to automate the live animal evaluation process and improve market consistency.
17. Beef for Students: Issued a memo directly encouraging Child Nutrition Program operators to source and incorporate local beef. 
18. Updated Science-Based Dietary Guidelines: Released the 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that include protein as a foundation for every meal.
19. Increasing Veteran Owned and Operated Ranches: Published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for AgVets that prioritizes projects expanding outreach and training to help veterans enter ranching.
20. WOTUS: Issued an EPA proposed rule to establish a clear, durable, common-sense definition of “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.

Additional Actions By the Trump Administration To Help Ranchers:

1. Robust New World Screwworm Response: Coordinated strong, whole-of-government approach to combat New World Screwworm and protect the U.S. cattle supply.
2. 20 New Trade Deals and Frameworks: Expanded global market options for American farmers and ranchers through new trade deals and frameworks with Jordan, China, Ecuador, United Kingdom, Indonesia, North Macedonia, Taiwan, El Salvador, Guatemala, Switzerland, Argentina, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, South Korea, European Union, Nigeria, and Australia.
3. Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers Program (SPUR): Provided $500 million to help small and mid‑sized beef processors, protecting regional processing capacity.
4. Lower the Cost of Fertilizer: Provided $500 million to onshore fertilizer production and lower costs with the Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program.
5. Increasing Transparency in Packers and Stockyards Enforcement Actions: Launched GovDelivery sign‑ups for Packers & Stockyards enforcement actions to boost public awareness and accountability.
6. Beef Grading Standards Updates: Asked for public input on updating the U.S. beef carcass grading standards to better meet the needs of producers and consumers.
7. Expanding Access to Locally Raised Beef for American Students: Launched the Harvest to Hallways initiative August 2026.
8. Equipment for Schools: Invested $7.5 million in cold‑chain equipment for food banks to deliver more meat and whole foods to families in need.
9. Veterinarian Loan Repayment: Supported loan repayment for rural veterinarians by increasing funding for the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program by $7.5 million and streamlining the application process via an online portal.
10. Supporting Rural Veterinary Clinics: Increased funding for the Veterinary Services Grant Program by $7.5M and streamlined the application and reporting processes to support rural veterinary practices.
11. Expanding USDA Veterinary Scholarships: Increased support for veterinary students by doubling the number of scholarships available and increasing the scholarship amount to $40,000 per year for the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service Scholarship Program. Similarly, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service increased the maximum scholarship amount to $50,000 per year for the Chester A. Gipson Internship Program and to $20,000 per year for undergraduates and to $40,000 per year for graduate students for the Saul T. Wilson, Jr. Internship Program.