USDA rolls out ‘Ranchers First’ plan to rebuild U.S. cattle herd

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is launching a new package of initiatives aimed at rebuilding the nation’s cattle herd, strengthening domestic beef processing and providing additional support for current and beginning ranchers.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the Ranchers First Initiative Aug. 31, describing it as a sweeping effort to put American cattle producers at the center of the nation’s food supply.

The initiative comes as the U.S. cattle herd remains at a 75-year low. USDA said the new actions build on the department’s October 2025 Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry and are designed to provide ranchers with additional risk management tools while addressing processing capacity and market concerns.

“President Trump promised to put the American ranchers first, and the Ranchers First Initiative delivers on that promise,” Rollins said in the USDA announcement.

One of the key components is a new Beef Retention and National Development, or BRAND, endorsement for Livestock Risk Protection insurance. The endorsement is intended to help producers retain heifers for breeding by providing insurance coverage on the economic value of keeping a heifer in the breeding herd for up to two years.

Under the proposed program, the protected value would be based on the expected slaughter value of the heifer when the policy is enrolled. If the projected or actual slaughter value rises above the economic value of keeping the animal as breeding stock, the policy would provide coverage for the difference.

USDA also announced greater flexibility for producers recovering from natural disasters. Producers will be allowed to use the Emergency Conservation Program on Grassland Conservation Reserve Program acres to help repair infrastructure and speed recovery following wildfires and other disasters.

Processing capacity is another major focus of the initiative.

USDA plans to establish a Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers Guaranteed Loan Program to support small and regional beef processing facilities. The program could help processors expand their businesses, establish cooperatives and increase the types of animal proteins they process.

The department also plans to create a Regional Processor Continuity Effort to improve the resilience of regional processing businesses.

USDA said nearly 20% of beef processing capacity will be available as the cattle herd grows, following recent announcements of processing plant closures. The department said that creates an opportunity to shift more processing toward American-owned independent businesses, small and midsize processors and new cooperatives.

The initiative also calls for federal agencies to prioritize locally processed American beef in government food purchases. USDA said it will encourage purchasing from domestic sources for institutions including prisons, hospitals and other facilities.

Beginning and veteran ranchers are another focus. USDA plans to establish a Beginning and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers Affairs initiative while working with the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of War to connect transitioning military service members with farming and ranching opportunities.

The new initiative adds to several USDA actions already taken in 2026, including $500 million for the SPUR program to support independent and regional beef slaughter facilities, expanded meat and poultry processing assistance and efforts to increase grazing access on public lands.

USDA also highlighted its continued promotion of the Product of USA label and its recent Harvest to Hallways initiative, which is designed to increase the amount of American-raised beef and other locally produced food served in school meals.

The department said the collection of initiatives is intended to help rebuild the national herd, strengthen the domestic beef supply chain and provide opportunities for the next generation of American ranchers.